Job Details
Salary : $42,453.00 - $68,890.00 Annually
Location : Howard County, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 24-00390
Department: Recreation & Parks
Division: R&P REC11F - Gen Fund
Opening Date: 01/18/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
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 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most in the state of Maryland. 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:Skilled technical and manual work in the maintenance of County Parks & related Facilities and Structures.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$20.41 - $21.98$42,453 - $45,718CLASS DESCRIPTION:This is semi-skilled manual work in the maintenance of park lands and related facilities and structures. Work involves the use of a variety of tools and equipment and the application of basic horticultural and landscaping principles. Work is performed with general supervision from a crew leader. An employee in this class works with others to accomplish an assigned part of Park Operations in grounds maintenance, sports field preparation, construction, or park-site management. Assignments are stable in nature and are carried out in accordance with instructions and established routines. Work may include considerable public contact.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include 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.
Performs park maintenance activities such as grounds and turf maintenance, pavilion and picnic area maintenance and cleaning, facility renovations and repairs, and sports field maintenance in an assigned park region.
Performs trail construction and maintenance.
Removes graffiti and vandalism.
Performs minor plumbing, janitorial, painting, electrical, and carpentry work in the maintenance of parks and facilities.
Performs landscape/horticultural maintenance, including pesticide applications, trimming, edging, pruning, and mulching of beds and trees.
Operates and performs preventative maintenance on tractors, mowers, skid loaders, steam cleaning rigs, trucks, and trailers.
Utilizes hand and power tools, trimmers, chain saws, blowers, snow blowers in performing the above referenced tasks.
Performs playground inspections and maintenance.
Assists Department programmers with program and event logistics.
May lead the work of subordinate crew members, part-time staff and volunteers.
Requires considerable public contact including: communicating with tournament directors and staff during tournaments, conflict resolution, picnic shelter disputes, questions and comments.
Develops supply requisitions for supervisor's approval. Is responsible for informing Supervisor when tools, supplies/materials, and chemicals need to be replaced or re-ordered.
Administrative duties include: incident reports, police reports, timesheets, department requisitions, park and playground inspection forms, chemical application cards, daily park, pavilion and vandalism journal entries.
Responsible for identifying and applying good sustainability practices into all aspects of Department operations.
Serves on committees as assigned.
Performs snow removal duties and assists during inclement weather conditions to include working for Public Works if needed.
This position is considered essential and will be required to work in emergency situations.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:This job has no supervisory responsibilities. May lead the work of subordinate crew members, part-time staff and volunteers.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of the 10th grade plus one (1 ) year of experience in landscaping, park maintenance, or a related field; or, completion of course work in horticulture or park/resource management plus one (1) year of general laboring experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:One (1) year certificate from college or technical school; or related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:PHYSICAL DEMANDS: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 use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: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 wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:LANGUAGE SKILLS:- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:- 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.
REASONING ABILITY:- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS Possession of a valid Driver's License. License must be valid as long as individual is employed in this class.
Obtain Maryland Pesticide Applicator Certification within two (2) years of employment.
Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification within one year of employment.
Maryland Boater Safety Operator Certification may be required depending on location.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONTO APPLY: 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, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (
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 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 Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. 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 $1500 contingent upon County funding.
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, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner's insurance programs.
CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
01
Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state "see resume" will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
02
Are you willing to accept a salary offer within the salary hiring range commensurate with applicable experience/qualifications? $42,453 - $45,718 - Yes, I am willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.
- No, I am not willing to accept the starting salary hiring range.
03
Do you possess a 10th grade education plus one (1) year of experience in landscaping, park maintenance, or a related field; or, completion of course work in horticulture or park/resource management plus one (1) year of general laboring experience?
04
If you possess experience in landscaping, park maintenance, or related field, please describe the experience and where you obtained this experience.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 05
Do you possess experience operating and performing preventative maintenance on equipment and tools such as tractors, mowers, trimmers and skid loaders?
06
If you possess experience operating and performing preventative maintenance on equipment and tools such as tractors, mowers, trimmers and skid loaders, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 07
Do you possess experience performing snow removal duties?
08
If you possess experience performing snow removal duties, please explain where you acquired this experience. Include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 09
How did you hear about this position?
- NEOGOV/GOVT Jobs
- Linked In
- Maryland Association of Counties
- National Association of Counties
- CEAM
- ASCE
- Indeed
- Employee Referral
- Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA)
- Handshake
- Career Fair
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
- Other
10
If you indicated "Job Fair" or "Other" in the previous question, please indicate which job fair you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate "N/A" (Not Applicable).
11
Are you aware that this position requires you to function as "essential personnel" meaning that you are expected to work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis? - I can function as essential personnel and can work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.
- No, I cannot function as essential personnel or work during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.
12
Do you possess a Class C driver's license valid in the state of Maryland?
13
Do you possess a Maryland Boater Safety Operator certification?
14
Do you possess a Maryland Professional Pesticide Applicator's Certificate?
15
Do you possess CPR and First Aid certifications?
16
I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
17
I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
Required Question