Public works director Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Howard County Government Job

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices, and sustainability. It is 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 most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs.

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 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. 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.

Includes the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels. Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately. 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, trencher) to spread salt and sand on icy roads, shore up ditches, install pipes, cut grass, and similar activities. Trims rural roadside trees. Inspects and performs minor routine maintenance on vehicle, equipment and tools. Checks for damaged or worn tires or tracks, proper air pressure in tires, and other elements affecting safe equipment operation; performs routine and preventive maintenance as established by unit. Operates forklift or loader to load and unload heavy materials; manually loads and unloads other materials; performs both routine and skilled laboring tasks. Keeps log of vehicle operation; makes reports of equipment defects, accidents, traffic violations, and other mishaps. May operate more complex motor equipment, hand tools, and power tools; may direct and instruct other employees in the safe use of motor equipment, hand tools, power tools, and related work (i.e. loader, roller, skid loader, compactor, and chipper). Performs all types of semi-skilled manual tasks such as : painting, rake and shovel stone, mix cement, flag traffic, mulch and seed, jack hammer, lay brick in highway maintenance. Operates snow plow and salt spreader; plows and salts road. Patches roads and shoulders. May oversee the work of subordinate employees. Directs traffic flow during work activities. This position is considered emergency essential and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather or when an emergency situation arises. 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, knowledge, skills and abilities : Physical demands and work environment.

Shall have a valid CDL Class B license, issued by the State of Maryland, during tenure of appointment as a Motor Equipment Operator I, if required by work assignment. Valid DOT physical card. Possession of a valid Maryland approved flagger program card may be required, depending upon work assignment, and must be obtained within Department time frames and maintained during tenure of employment. Confined space training certification may also be required, when required by work assignment.

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. 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.