Entry Level Ventrac Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location : Stormwater Division, 245 Operation Center Drive, NC
Job Type: Full Time-Regular
Job Number: Equipment Operator I
Department: Asset and Property Management
Opening Date: 05/28/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Post-Offer Required Pre-Employment Screenings: Driving History Check
Drug Screen
Post Offer Employment Testing
Approved Hiring Salary/Range: $18.25
Full Salary Range: $18.25 - $28.29
Working Hours: 6:30am - 3:00pm
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 I 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 entry level class in the Equipment Operator series.
This class is distinguished from the Equipment Operator II, III, and IV classes in that the latter classes perform more complex and difficult equipment operation duties and utilize heavier equipment. Equipment operated may include but is not limited to, the following: concrete saws, push mowers, chainsaws, pole saws, blowers, pick-up or flat-bed trucks, creek boats, concrete milling, small pumps, leaf vacuums, arrow boards/VMS, air compressors, generators, weed eaters, RC mowers, jon boats, ventrac, infrared ovens, hot boxes, and mini slopes. Other duties include assisting crew members, maintaining equipment, and completing daily forms and logs. Work is performed under regular supervision.
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 vegetation maintenance for drainage systems, including street rights-of-way, stormwater easements, open channels, creeks, and ditches. This position may also assist with servicing stormwater basin covers and other stormwater infrastructure.
• Duties include operating equipment, mowing and maintaining drainage structures, removing debris and litter, managing vegetation, and cleaning ditches to ensure proper system function
• Inspects equipment prior to use; inspects and secures equipment following use.
• 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 stormwater maintenance and landscape maintenance on public property to include repair projects; shoveling, raking, spreading, compacting, and leveling 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
Experience:

• Minimum of one year of experience in construction, maintenance, grounds keeping or a related field.
• Minimum of one year of experience operating the types of equipment operated by this classification.

Other Requirements:

• Class C driver's license
• Ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire.
• Knowledge of the basic operation and maintenance requirements of the equipment operated by this classification.
• Ability to perform a variety of manual tasks for extended periods of time and in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate and work cooperatively with colleagues, City leadership, and the general public.
• 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.

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
• All positions will be required to participate in On-Call program on a rotating basis with other employees/ operating sections.

Supplemental Information
Our Mission Statement: Though forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.
Our Core Values: Inclusion, Collaboration, Creativity, and Accountability
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) and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees' Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 12 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave
• Flex schedule and telework availability (position dependent)
• 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.
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 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 currently possess or have the ability to obtain Flagger & WorkZone Safety certifications within 90 days of hire?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years of experience do you have operating the types of equipment operated by this classification?

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

05
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 3 years
• 3 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

06
Please identify the company/agency/organization where you gained the experience described in question #3 and #4. 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.
07
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

08
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