Maintenance Mechanic I - Public Works, Utilities/Water Reclamation
Howard County Government
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Howard County Government is hiring for a semi-skilled maintenance position in central Maryland. The role covers equipment maintenance, basic electrical/plumbing work, carpentry, and routine building repairs, under close supervision.
Candidates should be able to read and follow instructions and perform manual tasks with dexterity. Starting pay ranges from $23.20 to $26.25 per hour, with annualized estimates $48,247 to $54,610.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED or 1 year related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Responsibilities
- Makes repairs to industrial equipment such as gear boxes, pumps, conveyors, chain and belt drives.
- Cleans and lubricates parts and machine assemblies.
- Installs packing and mechanical seals.
- Makes basic repairs to tools and equipment.
- Assists in performing more complex tasks.
- Repairs plumbing and restroom fixtures.
- Performs a variety of carpentry, electrical, mechanical, grounds, and building maintenance functions.
- Prepares surfaces for painting and paints indoor and outdoor surfaces.
- Maintains records of time on job, parts and supplies used, and tool inventory.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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 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.
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
- 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.
This is a semi-skilled position in the maintenance and repair of buildings and machinery.
$23.20 - $26.25/Hourly
$48,247 - $54,610/Annually
* 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.
This is semi-skilled work in the maintenance, alteration and repair of machinery, equipment and facilities. Work involves the performance of semi-skilled and un-skilled tasks. Work is performed with close supervision from a trades or administrative superior. Assignments vary depending on the demands of the group. They are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines.
- 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.
- Makes repairs to industrial equipment such as gear boxes, pumps, conveyors, chain and belt drives.
- Cleans and lubricates parts and machine assemblies.
- Installs packing and mechanical seals.
- Makes basic repairs to tools and equipment.
- Assists in performing more complex tasks.
- Repairs plumbing and restroom fixtures.
- Performs a variety of carpentry, electrical, mechanical, grounds, and building maintenance functions.
- Prepares surfaces for painting and paints indoor and outdoor surfaces.
- Maintains records of time on job, parts and supplies used, and tool inventory.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
High school diploma or general education degree (GED) or one (1) year related experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Class C driver's license
- Skill in the care and use of tools and equipment commonly used in building maintenance and repair.
- Skill in the use of varied hand and power tools.
- Ability to install and perform basic repairs on electrical fixtures, plumbing and mechanical equipment; and ability to perform basic repairs to buildings.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
- Ability to perform manual tasks requiring dexterity.
- Knowledge of the methods, practices, materials and tools used in building and industrial maintenance trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
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; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move more than 50 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, moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
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.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
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.
Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.
During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.
Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.
Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.
Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources. Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.
Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.
Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.
Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.
Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding.
Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement.
Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.
Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance.
Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
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