What are the responsibilities and job description for the Motor Equipment Operator I - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Dayton Shop position at Howard County Government?
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, best practices and sustainability. It is 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 most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
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 a semi-skilled position operating motorized fleet and less complex construction equipment to haul material and personnel to job sites and provide operational support in the maintenance of the County's Highway network.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is work involving the driving of trucks; the operating of less complex types of motor and mechanical equipment; the performing of a variety of skilled and semi-skilled manual tasks involving such equipment and a variety of hand and power tools. Work includes tasks needed in the construction and maintenance of public works projects.
Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Operation- Operates dump trucks to transport sand, stone, pipe, tools, and other materials used in road construction and maintenance.
- Operates motor vehicles and specialized equipment with attachments, including chippers, compressors, tamping machines, and trenchers.
Operates forklifts and loaders to load and unload heavy materials.
May operate more complex equipment, including rollers, skid loaders, compactors, and other motorized equipment.
Performs highway maintenance activities, including patching roads and shoulders.
Performs semi-skilled manual labor, including painting, raking and shoveling stone, mixing cement, mulching, seeding, and operating jackhammers.
Assists with ditch maintenance, pipe installation, and other roadway construction activities.
Operates equipment to cut grass and perform related roadside maintenance.
Operates snowplows and salt spreaders to plow and treat roadways.
Spreads salt and sand on icy roads to maintain safe driving conditions.
Reports for emergency-essential duties during inclement weather or other emergency situations, as required.
Directs traffic flow during highway maintenance and construction activities.
Performs flagging duties to maintain traffic safety in work zones.
Operates highway striping vehicles and related paint spray equipment.
Operates personnel lift trucks for control device maintenance, tree trimming, and related activities.
Follows established safety procedures when operating vehicles, equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
Inspects vehicles, equipment, and tools and performs minor routine maintenance.
Checks tires and tracks for damage or wear, verifies proper tire pressure, and identifies other conditions affecting safe equipment operation.
Performs routine and preventive maintenance in accordance with established unit procedures.
Reports equipment defects and maintenance concerns.
Maintains logs of vehicle and equipment operation.
Prepares reports regarding equipment defects, accidents, traffic violations, and other incidents or mishaps.
May direct and instruct other employees in the safe operation and use of motorized equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
May oversee the work activities of subordinate employees.
This position is designated as emergency essential.
May be required to report for regularly scheduled shifts during inclement weather or emergency situations to support roadway safety and maintenance operations.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of traffic laws, truck related laws, and safety procedures.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of motor equipment operation.
Knowledge of the hazards and safety rules and regulations involved in laboring and equipment operation activities in the unit to which assigned.
Some knowledge of carpentry and form building.
Skill in the safe and efficient operation of dump trucks and other motor equipment of the same complexity both on and off the highway.
Skilled in the operation of hand and power tools.
Ability to service motor equipment.
Ability to learn the operation of mechanical equipment such as forklifts, backhoes, hydraulic excavator, front end loaders, and other heavy construction equipment.
Ability to learn the geography of the County.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals.
Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged period of time often under adverse weather conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates
Ability to perform preventive maintenance on above mentioned equipment and vehicles.
Knowledge of computer operation.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is very loud. The employee may be exposed to high temperatures given off by various materials.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization in a professional manner.
Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.Shall have a valid CDL Class B license, issued by the State of Maryland.
Valid DOT physical card.
Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger program card may be required, depending upon work assignment, and must be obtained within Department time frames and maintained during tenure of employment.
Confined space training certification may also be required, when required by work assignment.
Salary : $45,933 - $74,534