Motor Equipment Operator I - Public Works, Bureau of Highways, Mayfield Shop

Howard County Government; Elkridge (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Government in Maryland seeks a semi-skilled position operating motorized fleet and less complex construction equipment to haul materials and provide operational support for the County's Highway network. The role includes vehicle and heavy equipment operations, road construction tasks, snow and emergency operations, and routine inspections.

It is emergency essential and covered by AFSCME locals.

Qualifications

• Requires at least a high school level education (tenth grade) and 1 year of experience operating large dump trucks.
• Performs semi-skilled manual tasks, including painting, flagging, and laboring with tools.
• Emergency essential role; may be required to report during inclement weather or emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Operates dump trucks hauling sand, stone, pipe, tools, and other materials used in road construction and maintenance.
• Operates motor vehicles and equipment with attachments (chip­per, compressor, trencher) to spread salt and sand on icy roads, shore up ditches, install pipes, etc.
• May operate loaders, rollers, skid loaders, compactors, and other heavy equipment.
• Operates forklift or loader to load and unload heavy materials; assists in loading/unloading as needed.
• Directs traffic flow during work activities and maintains logs of vehicle operation.

Education

Completion of tenth grade

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 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 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.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$22.08 - $24.39

$45,933 - $50,732

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

This is work involving the driving of trucks; operating of less complex types of motor and mechanical equipment; 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.

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

Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Operations

• Operates dump trucks hauling sand, stone, pipe, tools, and other materials used in road construction and maintenance.
• Operates motor vehicles and equipment with attachments and/or tools (such as chipper, compressor, tamping machine, and trencher) to spread salt and sand on icy roads, shore up ditches, install pipes, cut grass, and perform similar activities.
• May operate more complex motor equipment, hand tools, and power tools, including loaders, rollers, skid loaders, compactors, and chippers.
• Operates forklift or loader to load and unload heavy materials; manually loads and unloads other materials.
• Operates a slope mower, weed trimmer, and chainsaw while performing annual mowing of stormwater facilities throughout the County.

Road Construction and Maintenance

• Patches roads and shoulders.
• Performs semi-skilled manual tasks, including painting, raking and shoveling stone, mixing cement, flagging traffic, mulching and seeding, operating jackhammers, and laying brick in highway maintenance.
• Trims rural roadside trees.

Snow and Emergency Operations

• Operates snowplow and salt spreader; plows and salts roads.
• This position is considered emergency essential and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shifts during inclement weather or when an emergency situation arises.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

• Inspects and performs minor routine maintenance on vehicles, equipment, and tools.
• Checks for damaged or worn tires or tracks, proper tire air pressure, and other elements affecting safe equipment operation.
• Performs routine and preventive maintenance as established by the unit.

Safety, Traffic Control, and Reporting

• Directs traffic flow during work activities.
• Keeps logs of vehicle operation.
• Reports equipment defects, accidents, traffic violations, and other mishaps.
• May direct and instruct other employees in the safe use of motor equipment, hand tools, power tools, and related equipment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the tenth school grade and one year of experience operating large dump trucks and/or other motor equipment of the same complexity; or one year of experience in progressively responsible manual laboring work, some of which has included the operation of such motor equipment.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOW