What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Supervisor I- Public Works, Bureau of Utilities/Service Division position at Howard County?
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 85 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 a skilled technical front line supervisor position. Directs crews daily in performing complex meter reading and maintenance tasks.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs supervisory and advanced level operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes directing the activities of one or more crews of laboring and/or motor equipment personnel; driving and operating of heavy motor, construction, and complex mechanical equipment; may direct and participate in the day-to-day operations of a large size site or sites.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Directs crews in performing routine and complex meter reading and maintenance activities.
- Directs crews assigned by the supervisor for meter reading, repairs, and replacements
- Directs crews for turn on/off delinquent accounts or non-compliance.
- Generate reports using a financial billing system and meter reading software applications for account resolution, maintenance and operations.
- Perform file transfers to and from Finance for scheduled reading portions, meter re-reads, repairs, new installations and replacements.
- Routes new accounts and review existing routes for accuracy and efficiency based on geographical location and route sizes.
- Operate AMI/AMR meter reading hardware and software.
- Maintain updates for meter reading hardware and software.
- Reads blueprints and contract maps, to accomplish maintenance projects.
- Demonstrates methods and techniques of such tasks and of general laboring, trains subordinate crew members in equipment operations, in trades practices, and in care and use of tools and materials.
- Records work assigned from work orders, job sheets and time sheets.
- Assist in interviewing personnel and recommend hiring.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
There are no supervisory responsibilities associated with this position.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Experience should include laboring and motor equipment operation work, and at least one (1) year of experience as a crew leader.
- Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.
- Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, methods, techniques, hazards and safety rules and regulations of laboring and motor equipment operations and activities as they relate to meter maintenance work.
- Considerable knowledge of the geography of the County.
- Knowledge of tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used in meter maintenance work.
- Skill in the efficient use of and care for manual and power tools.
- Ability to read blueprints and contract maps.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions.
- Ability to maintain records and complete reports of activities.
- Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged periods of time, often under adverse weather conditions.
- Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public, coworkers and supervisors in a professional manner.
- Ability to resolve inquiries and complaints from the public regarding meter maintenance, high usage and other matters.
- Ability to direct the activities of laboring or motor equipment operation crews.
- Ability to perform on-call services on a 24-hour basis.
- Ability to perform computer operations and data input.
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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstance warrants.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided 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 traffic hazards, walking hazards, confined space hazards, customer's pets, and poisonous plants.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
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.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Maryland Department of the Environment Water Distribution (D1) Operators License. Possession of such licensure within time limits specified by the County.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.