Water Reclamation Plant Operator II - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation Plant

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. Position Summary / Class Description This is semiskilled midlevel work in the operation, preventive maintenance, and care of mechanical equipment in a water reclamation plant. Work includes testing samples of wastewater, assisting in the operations of intake structures, pumps, valves, solids handling and other plant equipment. Due to the nature of the primary duties, this position requires in-person presence at the worksite. Employees in this position are expected to work shifts that may include evenings and/or weekends and are designated as “essential personnel,” requiring work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis. Starting Salary Hiring Range

• 26.05 - $42.24
• 54,181 - $87,860

Class Description Work is performed with supervision from a technical superior until such time as the incumbent achieves proficiency in the assigned tasks. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established plant routines and procedures. An employee in this class assists in the control and preventive maintenance operations of a wastewater treatment plant on an assigned shift. 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.* This role is designated as safety‑sensitive; therefore, employees are required to participate in mandatory random drug testing. Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810. *** Essential Duties and Responsibilities Operations & Process Control Monitor gauges, meters, control panels, and process control computers. Observe and report routine and unusual readings, test results, and operating conditions. Operate valves and gates manually or by remote control. Start and stop pumps to control flows, chemical dosages, and treatment processes. Obtain wastewater samples and perform routine laboratory tests required by Federal, State, and local agencies. Maintain shift logs and manually enter field data, test results, and meter readings. Equipment Inspection & Maintenance Inspect bearings, valves, seals, filters, generators, compressors, and other mechanical/electrical systems. Perform minor repairs and adjustments on malfunctioning equipment. Report major or complex malfunctions to supervisors. Perform preventive maintenance tasks such as lubricating pumps, motors, conveyors, and other equipment. Paint equipment, piping, structures, and facilities as needed. Facility & Grounds Upkeep Perform routine custodial duties and cleaning of equipment. Carry out basic maintenance tasks around plant grounds and buildings. Assist in broader equipment and facility maintenance as needed. Work Expectations & Other Duties Work a rotating shift. Report to work during inclement weather or emergency situations (emergency essential role). Perform other related duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Minimum Required Education/Experience High School Diploma or GED or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations Possession of a regular Class "5A" Operator's certificate issued by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators required prior to appointment and during tenure of employment. Applicants with appropriate experience and equivalent licensing from another state will be considered for appointment but will be required to obtain a Statement of Reciprocity from the Maryland State Board prior to appointment that should be included in your application. A valid Maryland driver's license is required. Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of elementary mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles. Knowledge of safe work habits. Knowledge of the operation of pumps, valves, gauges, and other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant. Knowledge of elementary lab and sample collection techniques. Ability to perform minor maintenance such as adjust pumps, valves, gauges, or other equipment used in a wastewater treatment plant Ability to maintain simple written records. Ability to read gauges and meters accurately. Ability to use basic hand tools. Ability to recognize unusual or dangerous conditions or situations. Physical Demand 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; and smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color 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 regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Language Skills, Mathematical Skills, and Reasoning Ability Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondences. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to other employees of the organization. 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 detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. Benefits Summary The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at Flexible Benefits Plan 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. Group Term Life Insurance 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. Paid Leave Benefits 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. Annual Leave 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. Disability Leave 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. Personal Leave 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. Holidays 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 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. Retirement 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. Social Security Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate. 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan 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. Employee Assistance Program Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services. Educational Assistance 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. Paid Parental Leave 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. Long Term Disability Benefits 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. Disability Leave Bank 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. Voluntary Benefit Options Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance. Credit Union Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants. #J-18808-Ljbffr Howard County Government