Water Reclamation Plant Operator III - 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 85 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 policy making.

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 position works with others on an assigned rotating shift basis to control Plant operations and maintains grounds and equipment.

This is skilled work at the full performance level in the operation, maintenance, and care of mechanical and electrical equipment in a water reclamation plant. Work may include overseeing the work of lower level employees serving as the only full charge licensed operator at the facility during certain assignments. Work is performed with general supervision from a technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with accepted standards and applicable regulations.

An employee in this class works with others on an assigned shift to control plant operations and maintain grounds and equipment.

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Monitors gauges, meters, control panels and process control computers; observes variations in operating conditions to determine processing requirements; takes corrective action on routine problems and reports serious or complex problems to superiors.
• Operates valves and gates either manually or by remote control; starts and stops pumps, engines, and generators to control and adjust flows, chemical dosages, and treatment process equipment.
• Inspects bearings, valves, seals, filters, generators, compressors, and other mechanical and electrical equipment; makes minor repairs to malfunctioning equipment; reports major or complex malfunctions to superiors. May assist in repair of complex malfunctions.
• Obtains wastewater samples and performs routine laboratory tests and analyses as required by Federal, State, and local agencies and for proper operation of the treatment plant.
• Maintains shift logs, manually enters field and test data, records meter and gauge readings, and laboratory results. Assists in keeping operating records for shift.
• May perform or direct the performance of routine maintenance and custodial duties. May direct the work of or instruct lower level employees.
• May perform the duties of shift supervisor in that employee’s absence.
• Is responsible for equipment operation, adjustment, and cleaning.
• Performs routine preventative maintenance; lubricates equipment; takes corrective action on routine problems; makes minor equipment repairs and assists in major repairs when necessary; performs minor maintenance painting; and assists in grounds maintenance.
• This position is considered emergency essential, and,…