Heavy Equipment Operate Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $49,900.00 - $74,900.00 Annually
Location : Lake Woodard Annex, 3324 Lake Woodard Drive, Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00570
Department: PU Sewer Maintenance
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Work Hours: Monday - Friday; 6:30 am - 3:00 pm
Hiring Range: $49,900.00 - $62,400.00
Job Description
This position functions as the lead worker. Of a two-person crew assigned to the Preventative Sewer Cleaning Program within the Sewer Maintenance Division. Crews within this program are tasked with completing assigned work orders for conducting inspections and preventative maintenance of the sewer collection system. Additionally, crews are tasked with responding to calls to investigate the conditions. of sanitary sewer mains. Staff assigned to this role are responsible for the operational deployment of the SL RAT Acoustic Rapid Assessment tool for the purpose of sewer system pipeline evaluation. Additional duties may be assigned as needed to support utility operations, including site maintenance, operating equipment, and tools and participating in organizational events.
Scheduled working hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 3:00 pm. This position carries with it an on-call requirement, which includes 8 hours of paid standby per on-call week, plus the potential to earn overtime pay at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate for hours worked over 40.
This position will report to the Lakewood Operations Center located at 3324 Lakewood Drive, Raleigh NC 27604.
About You:
The ideal candidate is a safety-focused, dependable equipment operator who enjoys working outdoors and taking pride in keeping the community's sewer system operating properly. They have experience operating medium- to heavy- duty equipment or performing related construction, utility, mechanical, landscaping, or municipal maintenance work. This person is comfortable leading and working alongside a small crew, setting up safe work zones, completing physical labor, and responding calmly to sewer-related service calls.
They are detail-oriented, able to use technology to document work, maintain equipment and tools, and follow established safety procedures. The successful candidate will be willing to obtain required CDL and wastewater collection certifications, participate in rotating on-call duty, and work overtime, weekends, or holidays when operational needs require.
About Us:
The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department, now also known as Raleigh Water, provides water and sanitary sewer services to roughly 198,000 metered customers and a service population of about 600,000 people in Bali, Garner, Wake Forest, Roseville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulun areas. City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department, now also known as Railey Water, provides water and sanitary sewer services to roughly 198,000 metered customers and a service population of about 600,000 people in Bali, Garner, Wake Forest, Roseville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulun areas. Our mission is to provide safe, sustainable water services for our customers while protecting public health and contributing to the economic, environmental and social vitality of our communities.
The benefits of being a City of Raleigh heavy equipment operator:

• Education provided to learn water distribution, slash wastewater collection operator standards and earn certifications
• Qualifying equipment operators are eligible for training certifications that provide stipends of additional pay up to twelve five percent

Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Serve as leak worker by assigning work and monitoring work completion
• Work is conducted in a crew setting, primarily in an outdoors environment in close proximity to heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, open manholes and open excavations. May involve entering areas with uneven or rough terrain to include Creek beds, wetlands or forested areas
• Perform semi-skilled general maintenance supporting city department(s) or maintenance function; selects proper maintenance tools and equipment for tasks; performs work following established safety policies and procedures and applicable codes and regulations
• Required to fulfill call duty on a rotating basis, which will include weekends and/ or holidays
• Maybe required to work extended shifts, including shifts outside of normal business hours and work on weekends and or holidays
• Operate and maintains assigned equipment and tools; performs inspections to ensure safe operating conditions; performs routine repairs and/ or replacement of parts; Cleans and performs preventative maintenance; and monitors need for replacement or advanced repairs
• Complete inventory count and monitor tool equipment and supply needs
• Complete setup/ teardown of traffic control work zones
• Complete Various manual labor tasks such as walking, SL-RAT down easement for deployment, loading/ unloading equipment, setup of traffic control work zones, opening manhole covers, inserting cleaning nozzles into sewer pipes, tear down of equipment, routine cleaning of truck and tools
• Respond to and investigate sewer backup, overflow, and odor calls. Take corrective action to address issues when needed
• Input data into electronic work order system
• Respond to sanitary sewer overflows. Utilize assigned SL-RAT equipment to investigate sewer pipe condition and to locate blockages
• Provide support to the City's emergency response in the event of inclement weather, to include support for debris cleanup after severe storms or snow and ice response for division facilities
• Performs other duties of a similar nature in Lovell as assigned

Typical Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
High School diploma or G.E.D. equivalency; 1 to 3 years' experience in medium to heavy construction equipment operation or related work
OR
Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Examples of preferred relatable experience:

• Construction: grading, storm drain, site work, builder, plumber, any utility construction (including fiber installation), road construction
• Landscaping: Installer, maintenance, irrigation
• Mechanics: Heavy equipment, HVAC, Hydraulic Systems
• Farming: Manual labor, equipment operating
• Moving company: Labor, truck driver
• General Municipal Worker: Utility Inspector
• Tech School Student: Mechanical
• Firefighter: Full or part-time

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• Valid North Carolina Class A Commercial Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire
• NC WPCSOCC Collection system operator, certification grade I or ability to obtain within one year of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Collection Grade II Certification

Additional Information
Knowledge of:

• Heavy equipment operation and maintenance
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations

Skill in:

• Customer service
• Attention to detail to perform tasks accurately
• Work order system entry

Ability to:

• Navigate roads and maps
• Work effectively as part of a team and coordinate tasks with coworkers
• Recognize potential hazards, and maintain high standards of quality and safety

ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Very Heavy: Exerting more than 100 pounds of force occasionally, more than 50 pounds of forcefrequently, and/or more than 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an outdoor environment, construction site, or in a vehicle. Employees may occasionally work in confined spaces, warehouse environment, or shop environment.
Work Exposures:
There is frequent exposure to extreme cold (below 32 degrees), extreme heat (above 100 degrees), moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and loud noises. Employees may occasionally be exposed to individuals who are hostile or irate, communicable diseases, and toxic or caustic chemicals or substances.
City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
When you join the City of Raleigh's work family as a full-time employee, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future.
To find out about the City's benefits package, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page: https://raleighnc.gov/services/jobs-and-volunteering/pay-and-benefits
The City employs temporary and seasonal employees who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits.
01
Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Some high school
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• PhD or other professional degree

02
How much relevant or comparable work experience do you have in medium to heavy construction equipment operation or related work?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 to less than 9 years
• 9 to less than 10 years
• 10 years or more

03
Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License Class C or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Driver's License.
• I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 60 days of hire.

04
Do you have a valid North Carolina Class A (CDL) Commercial Driver's License or the ability to obtain within 90 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Class A Driver's License.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Class A Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 90 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Class A Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 90 days of hire.

05
Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from a position?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered "yes" to being terminated or forced to resign, please provide an explanation and the date.
Required Question