What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Manager I - Public Works, Bureau of Highways position at Howard County Government?
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is an advanced professional engineering position at the full performance level, in a supervisory of staff capacity, managing the operations of Roadway Infrastructure Division within the Bureau of Highways.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$50.63 - $60.60
$105,308 - $126,046
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs mid-management level and advanced engineering and/or architectural work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work involves managing the administrative, technical and budgetary affairs of a division or overseeing the activities of the Bureau of Highways. Work includes preparing and maintaining an operating budget; projecting manpower needs, materials, and equipment; plans review and resolving the most difficult engineering and/or architectural design problems.Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and six (6) years of related experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; strenuous climbing, balancing; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to highly precarious places and confined spaces; fumes or airborne particles; industry related toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electric shock; and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee at times may be working in dense woods, cultivated fields, wet swampy areas, rough terrain, construction sites and many far off-road situations and conditions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.State of Maryland Registered Professional Engineer.
Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is an advanced professional engineering position at the full performance level, in a supervisory of staff capacity, managing the operations of Roadway Infrastructure Division within the Bureau of Highways.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$50.63 - $60.60
$105,308 - $126,046
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs mid-management level and advanced engineering and/or architectural work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work involves managing the administrative, technical and budgetary affairs of a division or overseeing the activities of the Bureau of Highways. Work includes preparing and maintaining an operating budget; projecting manpower needs, materials, and equipment; plans review and resolving the most difficult engineering and/or architectural design problems.Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Responsible for managing a division that oversees multiple Capital Programs associated with various roadway infrastructure elements (pavement, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, curbs, street trees, guardrails, and storm drain infrastructure).
- Responsible for reviewing Road Construction Plans, Site Development Plans, and other engineering drawings. Also responsible for coordinating with other Bureaus within the Department of Public Works, other County and State Agencies/Departments as needed to resolve conflicts.
- Assist the Bureau Chief with the development of Capital and Operating Budgets for the Bureau.
- Works with Project Managers, Regulation Inspectors, Highways Zone Superintendents, and Supervisors for all roadway maintenance activities within the Bureau.
- Directs all phases of the County's most complex capital project construction; provides construction contract administration and construction claims avoidance consultation; prepares subdivision information database management and set priorities for defaulted projects; acts as liaison between County and the Contractor/Developer on construction projects; reviews and approves soils, aggregate, paving, and material design changes in construction; reviews and evaluates construction change orders; recommends design changes to Bureau Chief; periodically inspects projects on-site during construction and upon completion to insure compliance with contract plans and specifications; approves completed construction for payment.
- Maintains records of all Division activities; prepares reports of activities including recommendations for budget, personnel, and procedural changes to increase efficiency.
- Develops program information for capital and operating budgets; initiates and reviews major expenditure requisitions; develops and supervises development of new programs and expansion of existing programs; supervises, coordinates and manages budgeted operations.
- Provides Customer Service and information to homeowners and general public on construction complaints and construction schedules. Manages the administrative details of special programs as required.
- Manages special projects or tasks as needed.
- This position is considered emergency personnel, and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or then when an emergency arises.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and six (6) years of related experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Master's degree (M.S., M.E.) or equivalent and related construction experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- The individual should possess a thorough knowledge of civil engineering practices and principles, roadway design, pavement, transportation engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, and administrative and budget management methods and techniques.
- This position requires skill in interpreting and analyzing engineering designs, plans and specifications as well as being able to do complex design work to include detailed specifications.
- Minimum of six years of experience in roadway design and construction.
- Proficiency in advanced roadway design software.
- Experience with project management software.
- Experience with GIS and other mapping tools.
- Lead and execute highway design projects from conception to completion.
- Conduct site visits and field surveys to gather data for design work.
- Develop plans, specifications, cost estimates and construction schedules.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, practices, methods of materials and use in construction work for water, sewer, roads, storm drains, storm water management, structures, buildings and site development projects. Possess sufficient knowledge, skill and ability to enforce codes, ordinances, and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially. Show superior customer service skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; strenuous climbing, balancing; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to highly precarious places and confined spaces; fumes or airborne particles; industry related toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electric shock; and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee at times may be working in dense woods, cultivated fields, wet swampy areas, rough terrain, construction sites and many far off-road situations and conditions.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.State of Maryland Registered Professional Engineer.
Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.
Salary : $105,308 - $202,800