Equipment Operator III- Streets/Stormwater

City of Wilmington, NC; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid sick and vacation leave

Retirement benefits

Tuition assistance

Flex schedule

Job summary

The City of Wilmington, NC is seeking an Equipment Operator III to maintain stormwater drainage systems and assist in maintaining public roads. You will operate CDL‑required heavy machinery, train junior staff, and ensure safety in field operations across city projects.

This role offers outdoor work in all weather, opportunities for CDL/ CPR training, and growth through experience. Strong teamwork and reliable performance are essential as part of a dedicated public works crew.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with vocational or technical training in CDL-operated vehicles.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in construction, maintenance, groundskeeping or related field; plus operating the equipment listed in this class.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to obtain Class B within 90 days of hire; ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Operate complex heavy equipment for city infrastructure projects.
• Plan and execute grading, slopes, and placement to minimize property impact.
• Transport, inspect, and secure equipment before and after use.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance and maintain daily logs.
• Support crews with general labor, training junior staff, and on-call duties.
• Follow safety procedures to maintain safe work zones and direct traffic as needed.
• Assist with storm response, special events, and other assigned duties.
• Provide guidance and training to lower-level staff.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Teamwork

Safety procedures

CDL training

Education

HS diploma or GED

Vocational/technical CDL training

Job description

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

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

• 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.

Health Insurance

The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

Dental Insurance

Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance

The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Retirement

• NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
• Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.

Paid Leave (offered to employees working at least 1,000 hours annually*)

• Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
• Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
• Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
• Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
• Part‑Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro‑rated basis.

Miscellaneous

• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Cancer & Critical Illness
• Accident Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Credit Union membership
• Access to City Fitness Center

Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi‑weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 4 weeks after their start date.

This is intended to be a brief overview of the benefits offered. Please visit our website at https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/Government/Departments-Divisions/Human-Resources/Benefits for more information.