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

Posting number: MEO I - Dayton FY26 (25-00703)

Department: Public Works

Job classification: Motor Equipment Operator I- Public Works, Bureau of Highways/Maintenance Division

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works

Summary

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, 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, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making. 
 
 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.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

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

Examples of duties

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

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.

Operates a highway striping vehicle or its paint spray carriage and personnel lift truck used in control device maintenance, tree trimming and other duties.

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, 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

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:

Knowledge of traffic laws, truck related laws, and safety procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of motor equipment operation.

Knowledge of the hazards and safety rules and regulations involved in laboring and equipment operation activities in the unit to which assigned.

Some knowledge of carpentry and form building.

Skill in the safe and efficient operation of dump trucks and other motor equipment of the same complexity both on and off the highway.

Skilled in the operation of hand and power tools.

Ability to service motor equipment.

Ability to learn the operation of mechanical equipment such as forklifts, backhoes, hydraulic excavator, front end loaders, and other heavy construction equipment.

Ability to learn the geography of the County.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, directions, and traffic signals.

Ability to perform heavy labor for prolonged period of time often under adverse weather conditions.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates

Ability to perform preventive maintenance on above mentioned equipment and vehicles.

Knowledge of computer operation.

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 frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee shall work overtime under emergency conditions or as circumstances warrant.

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 outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is very loud. The employee may be exposed to high temperatures given off by various materials.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization in a professional manner.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

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.

Supplemental information

Shall have a valid CDL Class B license, issued by the State of Maryland.

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.