HVAC Preventative Maintenance Supervisor - (Operations Supervisor I) - General Services, Operations

Howard County Government; Maryland; On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Government is seeking a Maintenance Supervisor to lead preventive maintenance for county facilities and supervise a crew responsible for heating, cooling, and related building systems.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and four years of related experience, with a Maryland Class C driver’s license preferred. The position offers a unionized, full-time role within the Bureau of Operations and Maintenance.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Four years of related maintenance experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in supervisory or lead role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day oversight of preventive maintenance staff.
• Direct maintenance crews and coordinate tasks and priorities.
• Use CMMS to create work orders and track materials and time.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

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 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 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 of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 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:

Under general supervision, leads and/or performs equipment repair, replacement, and preventative maintenance checks and services. Leads maintenance team to meet targets, perform regular inspections, and maintain equipment. Supervise the day-to-day oversight of preventive maintenance mechanics performing semi-skilled work in operating and routinely servicing heating and cooling equipment and performing a variety of facilities maintenance. The work of this class involves the oversight and responsibility for the safe, efficient operation and routine servicing of building heating and cooling equipment, which typically consists of central low-pressure boilers, chillers and associated motors, pumps and fans; self-contained rooftop units, direct outside air units, heat pumps, variable air volume systems, variable refrigerant volume systems, and geothermal systems. Skilled trades and craft personnel perform more technical repairs. Employee manages and ensures timely responses to requests for building services and repairs. Use computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) to develop and assign work orders, including tracking of staff time. Order materials as required. Physical Demands: Involves working in close, dirty spaces, and some exposure to conditions where minor injuries could occur. Sufficient physical strength and freedom from disabling defects to permit the lifting and moving of heavy objects (minimum 50 lbs.) and to perform manual labor. Special Requirements: Employee in this classification is considered emergency personnel and is required to report to buildings during inclement weather and may be required to report to other locations to assist staff in emergency situations.

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$32.03 - $35.02/Hourly
$66,629 - $72,842/Annually

CLASSIFICATION 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 operation and repair 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.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

*Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*

Leadership and Oversight:

• Assists in day-to-day oversight of preventive maintenance mechanics.
• Serves as lead and provides guidance, training, and support to assigned preventive maintenance staff.
• Conducts routine review of tasks completed by preventive maintenance mechanics and provides reporting to Operations and Maintenance managers.
• Leads the work of mechanics or performs duties in their absence, including reporting maintenance and supply needs.

Maintenance Operations and Technical Work:

• Performs general maintenance work when preventive maintenance mechanics are unavailable (building and equipment repairs, alarm checks, door adjustments, temporary window repairs, replacing fixtures/furniture).
• Maintains and inspects boiler plant and related heating/cooling equipment.
• Operates and services oil burners, ventilating equipment, and mechanical systems.
• Checks and replaces belts; adjusts pulleys; oils motors; cleans and services pumps, fans, compressors, and boiler room equipment.
• Replaces filters and maintains HVAC equipment performance records.
• Observes grounds, building exterior, and roof, reporting deficiencies through the CMMS.
• Implements preventive maintenance plans for county facilities.

Project Coordination and Evaluation:

• Communicates with administrators, personnel, contractors, and vendors regarding maintenance needs, repairs, coordination, and project oversight.
• Evaluates programs and projects to determine whether work should be completed by staff or outside contractors.

Procurement and Administrative Support:

• Assists with purchasing and procurement of maintenance materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Maintains records and prepares routine reports using the CMMS.

Emergency Response:

• Responds to emergency calls outside regular hours as needed.
• Responds to emergency situations to address immediate life-safety concerns.

Other:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides supervision of employees in the Bureau of Operations and Maintenance. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws and regulations. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; developing Standard Operating Procedures; providing input on evaluations addressing complaints and resolving problems.

High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in the operation and routine servicing of a heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems at an institutional level. Experience in a supervisory or lead role preferred. Increasing levels of responsibility for maintenance work.

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 regularly required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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 frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat. Employee may be exposed to high and precarious places such as scaffolding, ladders and building roofs. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

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 deliver speeches and write articles for publication that are relevant to the Division's mission. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors with or without visual aids.

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.