Heavy Equipment Operator

Salary: $49,900.00 - $74,900.00 Annually
Location : Public Utilities Sewer 5380 Raynor Road, Garner, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-00613
Department: PU Sewer Maintenance
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 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 primary transporter of materials, equipment, and refuse for each construction crew assigned to the Repair Program within the Sewer Maintenance Division. Crews within this program are tasked with repairing deficiencies found within the sanitary sewer collection system, as well as responding to emergency calls. Work is conducted in a crew setting primarily in an outdoors environment in close proximity to heavy equipment, vehicle traffic, and open excavations. In addition to transport functions incumbents also provide manual labor support for assigned work.

Scheduled working hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 3:00 pm. This position carries with it an on-call requirement which will include holidays and/or weekends and provides 8 hours of paid standby time per on-call week, plus the potential to earn overtime pay at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate for hours worked over 40. May be required to work extended shifts including shifts outside of normal business hours.

This posting is for multiple positions which could report to either the East Raleigh Operations Center, located at 1715 Wendell Blvd in Wendell or the South Raleigh Operations Center located at 5380 Raynor Rd in Garner.
About You:
The Wastewater Repair program is looking for highly motivated individuals seeking an opportunity to advance in the construction field while protecting the environment and our natural resources. This position serves as a primary laborer and materials transporter, however, includes the opportunity to sharpen one's heavy equipment operating skills. Skills learned in this position will assist an individual in future advancement by learning general plumbing techniques, construction/trenching techniques, and heavy equipment operations. Individuals interested in a future in construction should apply for this position.


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 Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest, Rolesville, Knightdale, Wendell and Zebulon 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:

• Get your CDL! The City will provide CDL training and license reimbursement upon passing the CDL exam
• Education provided to learn Water Distribution/Wastewater Collection Operator standards and earn certifications
• Qualifying Heavy Equipment Operators are eligible for training certifications that provide stipends of additional pay up to 12.5%

There are 3 openings for this position.

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.

• Performs semi-skilled or 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
• May serve as lead worker by assigning work and monitoring work completion
• Operates and/or transports equipment; may operate assigned heavy equipment for various functions which may include grading/excavating, collection and removal of debris, refuse and/or snow; and/or material application and distribution; plans routes and sets up work areas for safety and operational efficiency; may set up traffic control measures
• Operates 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 repairsPlans, monitors and reviews inventory, resources and materials needs; initiates orders for resources based on requirements; may work with contract workers and trade specialists by scheduling and coordinating repairs and maintenance services
• Complete setup/teardown of traffic control work zones and various safety equipment including trench boxes, hydraulic shoring, and confined space equipment
• Complete various manual labor tasks such as cutting asphalt streets or concrete sidewalks, hand digging to locate buried utilities, loading/unloading heavy equipment, using gas powered saws to cut and remove damaged sewer pipes, installation of new sewer pipes/fittings, replacement of sewer manhole rings/covers, backfilling excavations, work site cleanup, materials hauling/disposal, and additional site restoration activities
• 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 and level as assigned

Typical Qualifications
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 are provided below:

• 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

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
  1 year of hire

Preferred Qualifications:

• Collection Grade II

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 force frequently, 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 (85+ decibels average over 8-hour working day such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, construction). 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:

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