DPW Utilities Engineer III
Salary
$82,595.71 - $133,805.07 Annually
Location
5310 Hawthorne Rd., La Plata, MD
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
2026-00141
Department
PW UT - TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Opening Date
05/14/2026
Closing Date
Continuous
Summary
The hiring salary range is $82,595.71 - $90,885.29 annually, commensurate with experience.
Open until filled with a best consideration date of May 28, 2026. This posting may close without notice.
Charles County Government is seeing a dynamic Utilities Engineer III to perform professional civil engineering and related work for the County. Engineer will be involved in the application of civil/environmental engineering principles and concepts to water and wastewater infrastructure projects; position manages the Departments GIS mapping program, as well as the Departments Miss Utility responsibilities.
Essential Job Functions
Reviews and evaluates projects for conformance with engineering regulations, development and subdivision requirements, standard specification and details conformance and other areas as assigned.
Assists with all aspects of managing water/sewer capital improvement projects including budget administration; documents and plan reviews; ensuring compliance with applicable regulations; and providing recommendations for approval or disapproval of a variety of administrative documents associated with CIP projects.
Supervises the Utilities Locating staff to ensure effective management of the Miss Utility function of the Department to prevent damage to water and sewer infrastructure from construction activities throughout the service area.
Supervises the Utilities Plan Reviewer to ensure code and ordinance compliance within defined areas such as preliminary engineering, building, development, and subdivision reviews.
Uses Arc View GIS software to produce maps for various projects and tasks; uses AutoCAD to produce exhibits, cleans up plans, water, and sewer standard detail updates, etc.
Maintains project files and records and prepares related reports including graphic materials, maps, and other illustrative materials, as necessary. Submits study reports and recommendations for review and presentation to various boards and committees.
Responds to inquiries from the public, developers, engineers, landowners, attorneys, and others involved in infrastructure regarding procedures, compliance issues and related matters. Performs field visits and sites inspections, as necessary. Serves on committees and work groups as assigned, providing technical support and assistance.
Analyzes and determines available water and wastewater capacity.
Conducts onsite inspections to document progress and to interpret and apply applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, standard specifications, and details to varied engineering project.
Oversees cellular antenna installation and maintenance on County water tanks on behalf of the Department to ensure the tank coating, access and site security is not compromised.
Communicates with the Countys IT group to ensure new assets are entered into the Countys asset management system.
Manages the Departments GIS system, which includes getting all new As-Built drawings mapped, ensure attribute information is entered correct, update incorrect information as necessary, using the GIS data to plan and implement Preventative Maintenance programs/project.
Recommends changes in codes, ordinances, and standard details to resolve design and interpretation issues and to accommodate new materials and new design concepts.
Performs other related job duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience:
Bachelors degree in civil/environmental engineering with five (5) years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Supervisory experience is preferred.
Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid drivers license.
Engineering in Training (EIT) Certification preferred.
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
Work is subject to interruptions.
This position is required to receive climate competency training level 2.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles, concepts and techniques of engineering as applied to grading, storm drainage, storm water management, roads, water and sewer and related activities.
Knowledge of methods and procedures used in maintaining and repairing water and wastewater distribution and collection facilities.
Knowledge of the use and care of a variety of tools used in the industry including hand/power tools, locating equipment and software and/or hardware applications.
Ability to communicate in a professional manner verbally and in writing. develops clear, concise written documents, speaks clearly presenting information in a manner understood by the audience, and effectively corresponds with the public, vendors, and with staff in the utilities department and other departments within the County.
Ability to follow through on matters and uses independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.
Ability to perform technically sound engineering studies and formulate appropriate recommendations.
Ability to conduct onsite inspections to document progress and to interpret and apply applicable ordinances, rules, regulations, standard specifications, and details to varied engineering projects.
Ability to maintain records, prepare related documents, and communicate professionally verbally and in writing, including assisting with public speaking presentations.
Ability to supervise and train line locating staff
Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is partly sedentary with periods of moderate physical activity. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods. lift and carry up to 30 pounds. climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding. bend, kneel, crouch and crawl. reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects. feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment and within defined areas such as preliminary engineering, building, development and subdivision reviews.
Department/Division: Public Works Utilities/Technical Support
Pay Grade: 117
FLSA Status: Exempt
Telework Eligible: Yes
Reports To: Chief of Technical Support
Supervises: Utilities Plan Reviewer, Utilities Locators, GIS Specialist
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.
Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.
Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.
Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month. Retiree Health Insurance New hires who elect health insurance coverage with County Government are enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA). This coverage allows employees to pay health insurance premiums and other medical expenses following retirement or separation from employment.
Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.
Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.
Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.
Employee Leave
Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.
Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.
Work Schedules
Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.
Additional Fringe Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
Free, Employee Wellness Programs
Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)
Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2025
01
The hiring salary range for this position is $82,595.71 - $90,885.29 annually, commensurate with experience. Salary will be determined for the selected candidate based on related experience and other factors. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the countys promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the hiring salary range for this position.
02
The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.). According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?
03
For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.
04
Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?
Required Question
Employer Charles County Government