Equipment Operator II - Landscape Maintanance

City of Wilmington NC

Wilmington, NC

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$10–$24 Per Hour
SKILLS
Asset Management, Backhoe Loader, Blowers, Budgeting, Bulldozer, CDL Driver's License, CPR Certification, Communication Skills, Compensation Management, Compensation and Benefits, Concrete, Construction, Construction Control, Construction Projects, Construction Support, Dental Insurance, Driver's License, Easements, Employee Assistance Plan, Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Excavator, First Aid, Groundskeeping, Heavy Equipment/Vehicles, High School Diploma, IR (Infrared), Insurance, Leadership, Life Insurance, Loading/Unloading, Local Government, Maintenance Services, Needs Assessment, On Call, Operational Support, Preventative Maintenance, Procedure Development, Project Control, Property Management, Pumps, Record Keeping, Rentals, Retirement Plan, Safety Equipment, Safety Process, Skid Steer Loader, Stewardship, Systems Maintenance, Truck Driver, Tuition Fees, Tuition Reimbursement, VMS Operating System, Wheel/Front-End Loader
LOCATION
Wilmington, NC
POSTED
3 days ago

Equipment Operator II - Landscape Maintanance

Location

Stormwater Division, 245 Operation Center Drive, NC

Job Type

Full Time-Regular

Job Number

FY26-00161

Department

Asset and Property Management

Opening Date

06/04/2026

Closing Date

6/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Post-Offer Required Pre-Employment Screenings

Driving History Check

Drug Screen

Post Offer Employment Testing

Approved Hiring Salary/Range

$20.13 - $25.66

Full Salary Range

$20.13 - $31.21

Working Hours

Monday thru Friday 6:30 am- 3:00 pm

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

One City. One team. One mission.

Work outdoors, learn valuable trade skills, and be part of a crew that looks out for each other. Equipment Operator II 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 vegetation associated with stormwater easements. This is accomplished by operating equipment on roadsides, in the street right of way and in easements on private property.

This is the second level class in the Equipment Operator series.

This class is distinguished from the Equipment Operator III and IV classes in that the latter classes perform more complex and difficult equipment operational duties and utilize heavier equipment. This class involves the operation of equipment with mechanisms that require more dexterity or larger vehicles requiring a higher level of skill to drive and maneuver in and around confined spaces. Other duties include assisting crew members, maintaining equipment, and completing daily forms and logs. Work is performed under regular supervision.

Equipment primarily operated includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Front end loaders, skid steer 1, asphalt rollers, large pumps, excavators/mini excavators, skid steer 2, backhoes, zippers, pavers, dozers/rentals, road patchers, convers, air boats, and boom mowers.

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.

  • Performs construction repairs and maintenance on drainage system which includes pipe, catch basins, manholes, open channels, creeks, ditches and ponds. These functions are done by:

  • Operating equipment

  • Installing or repairing pipes and drainage structures

  • Debris removal

  • Vegetation management

  • Ditch cleaning

  • Identifies equipment needs for each assigned project; transports and delivers equipment to and from work sites, inspects equipment prior to use; inspects and secures equipment following use.

  • Operates backhoe to perform basic digging, trenching, and clearing of land or materials for maintenance, repair, and construction projects: controls placement of equipment and determines optimum approach to each digging scenario in order to minimize destruction of property and avoid electric, water, sewer, and other public utility lines.

  • Operates tractors with articulated boom mowing system to mow rights-of-way, other City property along steep slopes, ditches, and hard-to-reach areas inaccessible to most mowing equipment; scouts path for and removes rocks, debris, and other obstacles that may cause damage to the equipment, property, or the public; determines proper settings and adjusts boom for proper angle, height, and trajectory; and maneuvers and monitors boom mower for optimal operation.

  • Maintains records and logs of all work performed and completes basic preventive maintenance on equipment as required.

  • When not operating equipment, assists crews by performing manual labor in support of construction, maintenance, and repair projects; digging ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shoveling, raking, spreading, compacting, and levelling dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; retrieving supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and running various errands as needed; collecting, transporting, and loading and unloading materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite.

  • Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment and wearing protective gear; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks and equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project and work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and reports incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

  • Provides operational support by assisting with storm preparation and clean up, building and setting up traffic barriers for special events, and performing other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

  • High school diploma or GED, with vocational or technical training in the operation of CDL-operated vehicles and
  • Minimum of one year of experience in construction, maintenance, grounds keeping or a related field and
  • Minimum of one year of 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 Drivers 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 50-75 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 Benefits are offered to employees working at least 30 hours per week.

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

Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to recieve their first paycheck approximately 3 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.

01

Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

  • Yes

02

Do you have a valid Drivers License?

  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have the ability to obtain Class B within 90 days of hire

  • Yes
  • No

04

Which best describes your highest level of relevant education?

  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Technical Training/certification
  • Associates Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree
  • Doctorate Degree
  • None - N/A

05

If Technical training/certification or a higher degree was chosen, please provide the training/certification you may have obtained. If this selection was not chosen, please write NA.

06

How many years of experience do you have in construction, maintenance, grounds keeping or a related field?

  • I have no experience
  • less than 1 year
  • 1 year to less than 2 years
  • 2 years to less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 10 years
  • 10 years or more

07

How many years of experience do you have operating the types of equipment identified in this class? Front end loaders, skid steer 1, asphalt rollers, large pumps, excavators/mini excavators, skid steer 2, backhoes, zippers, pavers, dozers/rentals, road patchers, convers, air boats, and boom mowers.

  • I have no experience
  • less than 1 year
  • 1 year to less than 2 years
  • 2 years to less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 10 years
  • 10 years or more

08

Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #6 and #7. Note: These employers must be listed in the work history section on your employment application to receive credit. Entering "N/A or "See Resume/Application" does not qualify as an acceptable response.

09

Below are the types of equipment used and required for Public Works Operator I. Please check off the equipment you have experience in.

  • Concrete saw
  • Push Mower
  • Chain Saw
  • Pole Saw
  • Blower
  • Pick up/flat bed truck
  • Creek boat
  • Concrete milling
  • Small pump
  • Leaf vacuum
  • Arrow board/VMS
  • Air compressor
  • Generator
  • Weed eater
  • RC mower
  • Jon boat
  • Ventrac
  • Infrared oven
  • Hot box
  • Mini slope
  • None

10

Below are the types of equipment used and required for Public Works Operator II. Please check off the equipment you have experience in.

  • Front end loader
  • Skid steer 1
  • Asphalt roller
  • Large pump
  • Mini excavator
  • Skid steer 2
  • Backhoe
  • Zipper
  • Excavator
  • Paver
  • Dozer/rental
  • Road patcher
  • Conver
  • Air boats
  • Boom mower
  • None

11

Do you have the ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire?

  • Yes
  • No

12

The hiring salary for the position is posted on the job posting. Salary determination is supported by budget availability and qualifications of the candidate to maintain internal equity. Please acknowledge that you understand this process.

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Employer City of Wilmington

Address PO Box 1810

929 N. Front Street, 11th Floor

Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401

Phone 910-341-7840

Website http://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/jobs

About the Company

C

City of Wilmington NC