Line Maintenance Operator I

Line Maintenance Operator I

Salary

$42,340.16 - $74,095.32 Annually

Location

5310 Hawthorne Rd., La Plata, MD

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00172

Department

PW UT - MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Opening Date

09/11/2026

Closing Date

9/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

The hiring salary for this position is $42,340.16 annually.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Line Maintenance Operator I to perform semi-skilled work in maintaining water and sewer lines. This positions work will involve excavating, replacing, and repairing, testing, and charging, and backfilling water and sewer lines. Operator will work as a member of a line maintenance crew, follow specific instructions and procedures, and refer to nonstandard situations or problems to others.

Essential Job Functions

• Uses hand and other tools of the trade to repair water and sewer lines including home service lines, water meters, fire hydrants and valves.
• Repairs sidewalks, fire hydrants, water, and sewer mains.
• Hand digs to locate underground utilities.
• Maintains equipment and tools used in the work.
• Cleans up worksite areas.
• Follows safe work practices in the performance of duties.
• Assists with sewage clean ups.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

Completion of the tenth grade and two years of general labor experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

Valid (Class C) drivers license.

Flagging Certification (preferred).

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

Subject to call back in emergencies.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the use and care of hand, power and other tools used in the work.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of work efficiently.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion and is performed in shop or field settings and outside. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 100 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; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, and to detect odors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in shop or field settings and outside environment. Employee is subject to hazards of a wastewater environment; exposed to raw sewage; and exposed to inclement weather.

Department/Division: Public Works/Utilities/Maintenance Support

Pay Grade: 106

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Line Maintenance Supervisor

Supervises: None

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.

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)
• Pet Insurance
• 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, 2026

01

How many years of experience relevant to this position do you have? Please explain.

02

The hiring salary for this position is $42,340.16 annually. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the salary for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the salary for this position.

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.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

04

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?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Charles County Government