Operations Supervisor I - Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services

The Operations Supervisor I - Public Works at Howard County Government oversees natural wood waste operations, a composting facility, and organics screening at a county landfill. Responsibilities include supervising personnel, equipment operation and maintenance, compliance monitoring, and managing the delivery and handling of organic materials. The role emphasizes workplace excellence and offers competitive benefits, contributing to an inclusive work environment in central Maryland.
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 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 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 you 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:

Supervisory level work overseeing the operation of natural wood waste operations, composting facility, and organics screening activity located at county landfill property. Oversees the planning and operation of those systems and the collection of samples and field measurements necessary to monitor environmental conditions. Oversees and performs a variety of duties including equipment operation and maintenance. Work includes operating equipment, equipment maintenance, product management and sales, compliance monitoring and other site duties as assigned.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs intermediate supervisory level and advanced operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes supervising the activities of laboring and equipment operation personnel in areas such as construction, maintenance, landfill disposal, tree care, utility, vehicle repair, contracted refuse collection, water reclamation, parks, horticulture, and forestry work.Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Manages the delivery, stockpiling and handling of self-haul brush, grass, leaves, manure, contractor collected organics, pallets, and feedstock materials, as well as the management of in-process materials and finished product.

Operates and maintains organics processing systems and equipment to ensure their proper and safe operation. Work includes routine inspections, taking measurements, conducting tests, maintaining records, and operating and servicing technical equipment to insure efficient operations complying with regulatory requirements.

Plans and administers the retail and contracted sales of product, including but not limited to preparing reports for the Maryland Department of Agriculture, volume projections and the development of the marketing strategy for the product line.

Performs operational activities such as grinding, pile construction, pile turning, screening, blending and loading. Manual activities include equipment maintenance, and property maintenance duties such as weed and grass cutting, fence repair, painting, and other miscellaneous maintenance activities as needed. Included is the use of heavy equipment and hand and/or power tools. May perform minor construction related to the repair or upgrading of facilities and systems.
Performs various record keeping functions and maintains documents including logs, field records, computerized databases, and sampling records. Updates operation and maintenance records.

Trains subordinates on the operation and monitoring of material handling and processing equipment and systems, the collection of samples and data, and record keeping procedures.

Develops daily work schedules, assigns subordinates and contractors to jobs, and determines kind and amount of materials needed for daily work assignments to assure conformity with standards, operating plans, and regulations.

Ensures materials and equipment operational procedures are in place and followed; maintains records of inputs and products, hours expended and other relevant information.

Recommends priorities and policies in long range and short term operations.

Enforces safety regulations and procedures. Conducts regular safety meetings with subordinates and ensures up-to-date training and testing of all employees supervised.

Develops, implements and evaluates maintenance programs and procedures; resolves unusual or complex maintenance problems; identifies site maintenance needs.

Reviews individual progress reports, time sheets, accident reports and employee evaluations.

Oversees landfill activities in the absence of the Landfill Superintendent, as required.

Trains subordinates in proper use, care and maintenance of equipment.

Operates equipment and performs laboring activities.

Has routine contact with the public, contractors, and County and State regulatory officials.

Purchases, transports and delivers supplies needed to perform other duties.

Performs overtime work or on call work.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job may have supervisory responsibilities for one (1) to five (5) staff.

High School Diploma or GED and six (6) years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Associates' degree (AA) or an equivalent from a two year college or technical school.

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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally 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.

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 and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; dusts and molds; toxic or caustic chemicals; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, safety rules, operating maintenance instructions; and procedure manuals. 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.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to master logistical planning for time and space.
• Ability to obtain the following within one year of appointment:
• Class A Commercial Driver's License
• Maryland Certified Composter
• Ability to obtain the following within six months of appointment:
• Confined Space Training Certification
• HazMat 24 Hour Training Certification, with 8-hour annual re-certification
• CPR
• OSHA/MOSH training and testing requirements