Engineering Specialist III-Public Works, Bureau of Utilities/Water and Sewer Planning Division bei Howard County Government, MD

About the Department

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 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:

Advanced professional engineering work at the full performance level involving operational functions for the water distribution, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment facilities; overseeing and directing the activities of county or consultant engineers, surveyors, inspectors, contractors and/or other professionals while implementing water and sewer capital improvement projects and models and acting as a Bureau of utility liaison with other county agencies.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$44.79 - $50.51
$93,155 - $105,061

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs advanced professional level engineering and/or architectural work, which may include supervisory responsibility, with considerable independence but under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.  Work includes reviewing complex engineering and/or architectural plans, resolving difficult design analysis, acting as project manager for large scale projects, and preparing planning and engineering documents.  Work at this level is distinguished by unique engineering analysis and expertise in areas such as mechanical, electrical or structural engineering; in depth architectural experience in the development, design and construction of institutional building types such as libraries, community centers, police and fire stations, etc.  

Position Duties

Include the following listed other related duties may be assigned.

 

• Has primary responsibility, acting as the liaison for the Bureau of Utilities to other County agencies for the preparation and maintenance of the County's Master Water and Sewer Plan, including both major amendments and interim updates; preparation of the semi-annual water and sewer allocation reports in conformance with state and local codes and regulatory requirements; and routine system capacity analyses. Responsible for coordinating and chairing meetings with internal boards, engineers, consultants, land developers and the public to receive stakeholder input and resolve issues and problems related to water and sewerage planning.  
  
  
• Acts as project engineer/manager and coordinator for the County water and sewer hydraulic models; analyses of new and existing communities for adequate water and sewer capacity in conjunction with Department of Planning and Zoning comprehensive planning; performance of system capacity analyses for planning and preparation of the County's capital water and sewer program; performance of model scenarios to optimize existing water distribution and wastewater collection system operation and analyze problems; and assist with process modeling for the County's Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant.
  
  
• Responsible for work plan development, consultant selection, negotiations for scopes of services, manhour projections and contract preparations, and contract budgeting and scheduling.
  
  
• Plan and direct engineering studies and analyses to ensure that water and wastewater facilities and appurtenances are properly sized, correctly operated, and adequately maintained.
  
  
• Provide technical direction to Bureau personnel and contractors with mapping functions including GIS and interface with the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).   Provide technical assistance to water and wastewater facility maintenance personnel.  Provide on-call assistance when required.
  
  
• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition): Coordinate with operations staff and regularly monitor the county's remote computer control system to ensure continuous remote automatic control of the county's water distribution and wastewater collection systems.  
  
  
• Water and Sewer Developer Projects: Provide technical direction to outside engineering firms, hired by developers, for the purpose of designing new public water and sewer systems and facilities.
  
  
• Provide recommendations to the Department of Planning and Zoning on proposed alignment, construction, and maintainability of the proposed water and sewer systems.  Reviews complex plan and reports and provides recommendations to supervisor. Represents Bureau at public hearings, meetings, and conferences as assigned. Maintains liaison with consultants and representatives of county, state, and federal agencies, answers public inquiries.
  
  
• Emergency Preparedness & System Security:  Maintain up-to-date knowledge and develop and implement infrastructure and data security requirements; prepare and maintain emergency preparedness and response plans; and reporting on issues related to the security and emergency posture of the Utility.
  
  
• Customer Service: Assist and advise county residents and builders with issues related to water and sewer locations, easement locations, easement use, easement restrictions, etc.    
  
  
• Coordinate negotiations and prepare, review, and maintain inter-jurisdictional agreements for water purchase, outside wastewater treatment, and other system related agreements.
  
  
• This position is considered emergency essential and, as such, the incumbent will be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather and when emergency situations arise.
  
  
• Acts in the capacity of Acting Planning Division Chief with the authority and responsibilities of the position during the absence of the Division Chief.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Engineering and four (4) years of related experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Master's degree (M.S., M.E.) or equivalent; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in water and sewer modeling and GIS applications. 

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 regularly required to sit; use hands to handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral 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.    

 

The work will involve office and field situations. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to construction sites, heavy construction equipment, wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  

 

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. 

Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.  

 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. 

Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form that deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Other Qualifications

Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland.

 

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

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