Equipment Operator III One City. One team. One mission. Are you a skilled equipment operator who takes pride in precision, teamwork, and making a visible impact in your community? We are recruiting for our Equipment Operator III position, where you can work outdoors, learn valuable trade skills, and be part of a crew that looks out for each other. Team members work in small crews operating tools and specialized equipment while maintaining streams and public spaces across the city. Employees gain hands-on experience, opportunities to earn a CDL, CPR/First Aid certifications, heavy equipment training, and cross-training across multiple operational teams. This is a strong fit for hardworking, dependable people who want to learn new skills, grow their career, and move up through experience and initiative. The purpose of this position is to maintain and improve the City's stormwater drainage system and/or assist in the maintenance of public roads to ensure safety and reliability. This is accomplished by operating power-driven equipment requiring a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) in the construction and maintenance of public roads and sidewalks and/or in the construction and maintenance of stormwater drainage systems. This position is part of the Equipment Operator career series. You'll handle more complex equipment and tasks than entry and mid-level operators, requiring strong technical ability, attention to detail, and confidence in operating machinery with accuracy. Your work will include operating equipment such as motor graders, dump trucks with snow plows and brine tanks, crack sealers, sweepers, vac-cons, and road patchers. While your primary focus will be on heavy equipment, you may occasionally operate lighter machinery as needed. Beyond equipment operation, you'll support your team by assisting crew members in the field, helping train less experienced staff, maintaining equipment, and completing daily logs and documentation. You'll work under regular supervision while contributing to essential infrastructure that impacts the entire community. Typical Tasks The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Heavy Equipment Operation: Operates complex heavy equipment to perform digging, grading, trenching, loading, and material movement for City infrastructure and maintenance projects. Project Execution & Precision Work: Plans and executes work to ensure accurate grading, slopes, and placement while minimizing impact to property and avoiding underground utilities. Equipment Transport & Care: Identifies equipment needs; transports, inspects, and secures equipment before and after use. Specialized Equipment Use: Operates backhoes, motor graders, excavators, and boom mowers for construction, maintenance, and right-of-way work, including hard-to-reach areas. Maintenance & Documentation: Performs basic preventive maintenance and maintains daily logs and records of completed work. Manual Labor Support: Assists crews with general labor tasks, including digging, grading, and handling materials and equipment. Safety & Traffic Control: Ensures safe work zones by following safety procedures, monitoring surroundings, directing traffic, and placing appropriate signage and barriers. Operational Support: Assists with storm response, special events, and other assigned duties.
Lead Worker Responsibilities: Provides guidance and training to lower-level staff.
Qualifications Education and Experience:
High school diploma or GED, with vocational or technical training in the operation of CDL-operated vehicles; supplemented by a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in construction, maintenance, groundskeeping or a related field, as well as a minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience operating the types of equipment identified in this class; or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Other Requirements:
Valid Driver's license, ability to obtain Class B within 90 days of hire Knowledge of the basic operation and maintenance requirements of the equipment operated by this classification. Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with colleagues, City leadership, and the general public. Ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire. Ability to apply principles of logical thinking to work tasks and handle practical situations and requests made by supervisor and/or lead workers; to comprehend and respond to a variety of situations in an efficient manner; to understand and follow simple oral and written directives and perform the relative tasks using sound judgment.
Supplemental Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position will require outdoor work in all types of weather conditions. Emergency work in storm events is required, this positions is considered essential and may be required to work before, during and after inclement weather events. All positions will be required to participate in On-Call program on a rotating basis with other employees/ operating sections. Our Core Values: INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY Our Mission Statement: Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
What we offer:
The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families.
Our benefits package includes:
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System Employer-paid health & wellness clinic Free on-site city gym access Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year 6-weeks paid parental leave Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives Tuition assistance benefits Applicant Status Updates: After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.
