Join Our Team 

The Department of Human Resources is currently recruiting for the following position(s). Click on the job title to read the description and to apply online.

Plant Mechanic

  • Type:Open Competitive
  • Salary/Pay Rate:Level 7 ($51,998- $72,796)
  • Posted Date:09/01/2026
  • Deadline to Apply:09/15/2026
Announcement No.:   6941004
Department:   Public Works
Affiliation:   AFSCME Local 320
FLSA:   Non-Exempt
   

The City of Wilmington, a leading Delaware employer, provides the City's sanitation, recycling, street cleaning, water, and transportation services through the Department of Public Works. The Department provides a wide array of services, including once-a-week recycling and once-a-week residential solid waste collection, treatment and distribution of high-quality drinking water, collection and treatment of sewage, stormwater management, sweeping of all City streets, street paving and repairs, maintenance of traffic signs and signals, line striping, rodent control, snow removal, and maintenance of the City fleet and City properties. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The position will perform the tasks common to the classification under less supervision while exhibiting initiative, discretion, and independent judgment within established guidelines. Responsible for inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and servicing all electrical and mechanical equipment at an advanced level at all public
utilities infrastructure within the City of Wilmington, Department of Public Works, ensuring proper operation and compliance with safety standards. Assists in the operation, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the SCADA system and related equipment. This individual reports to the Water Production Maintenance 
Foreman.

Additional responsibilities include:

  • Installs and troubleshoots electrical systems, rebuild solenoids, checks, repairs, or replaces fuses, contacts, relays, and coils.  Troubleshoot and repair small horsepower motors.  Replace switches, receptacles, ballasts, and other incidental parts.
  • Maintains various styles of lighting systems.  Installs, maintains, and overhauls pumps, chemical feeders, rapid sand filters, membrane filtration systems, blowers, heaters, boilers, air conditioners, traveling screens, compressors, reduction gears, valves, instruments, piping systems, hydro pneumatic systems, and electronic actuators.
  • Responsible for packing/greasing of pumps, other equipment, and replacement of bearings. Complete reports and work orders.
  • Repairs and maintains emergency generators, fuel systems, and auxiliary engines.  Repairs/replaces drinking fountains, sinks, toilets, building glass skylights, roofing. Operate and maintain grass and snow removal equipment.  Paints valves, piping, equipment, and building interiors/exteriors.  Performs arc and acetylene welding.
  • Receives and unloads chemical trucks. Wash down sedimentation basins.
  • Understanding the Safe Drinking Water Act, maintaining knowledge of emergency procedures, shutdown protocols, and following SOPs.
  • Communicate verbally and in writing with team members, supervisors, and external parties and identify and report mechanical defects.
  • Must obtain the State of Delaware Base Level Water Operator Licenses upon first opportunity and maintain possession of the license once obtained. Work “on call” as needed.  Must be able to work overtime and shift work.
  • Performs all related work as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from a vo-tech or standard high school specializing in one of the various trades.  Considerable knowledge and experience in basic instrumentation, wired and wireless communications, electronics, welding, pump servicing, pipefitting, industrial electrical troubleshooting, or any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

  • Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of electrical systems, machinery, tools, plumbing, pipefitting, blowers, aeration systems, pumps and pumping equipment, and computer systems and instrumentation.  Possession of varied mechanical skills and abilities. Knowledge of electrical multi-meters, amp probes, thermometers, grinders, welding equipment, and other power and hand tools required to perform equipment repairs and servicing.
  • Skills: Work with computerized Maintenance Management System and Microsoft Outlook (Email).
  • Abilities: Ability to determine the proper procedures to detect and repair mechanical and electrical equipment defects. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing and to write concise, technical reports. Ability to establish effective working relationships and instruct as needed both employees and the ability to read and understand manuals and blueprints, as well as follow written and verbal instructions. Capable of supervising and planning the work of others, and able to work independently as needed.
  • Licenses: Possession and maintenance of a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.  Possess or Obtain the State of Delaware Base Level Water Operator License upon first opportunity and must maintain possession of license once obtained.

CANDIDATE EVALUATION

Evaluation for this position includes reviewing the application materials, certifying qualified applicants, and conducting a panel interview (in-person or virtual). 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

All selected applicants must pass a criminal background investigation and have a pre-employment physical.

  • Physical Requirements: Regularly required to reach with hands and arms.  Frequently is required to stand, walk, and use hands to fingers, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls. Able to sit, stand, and lift up to 50-100 lbs.
  •  Vision: Ability to focus vision up close and at distances, and work with a tablet viewing a screen.
  • Working Conditions: Regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions.  Noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Frequently works in high, precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibrations.  Occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock.
  • Location: Work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, with rotating work hours as assigned. The position is located at the Porter Filter Plant, 2052 East Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803.

TOTAL COMPENSATION

Compensation encompasses both salary administration and a comprehensive benefit package:

  • Salary Administration: New employees are hired at the starting salary up to the median salary/ step four based on qualifications and internal equity within the classification. Merit increases are given after a satisfactory performance review.
  • Benefits: A comprehensive benefits package is available from day one. Visit the website www.WilmingtonDE.gov/Benefits for details.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

  • Open Competitive: This position is open to all applicants who meet the qualifications both internally and externally.
  • To apply on-line visit our website at www.WilmingtonDE.gov. Computers are available for interested candidates in the Department of Human Resources, City/County Building, 800 N. French St, 4th Floor, Wilmington, DE 19801. Contact Human Resources at 302-576-2460 to schedule computer use.
  • The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • City code provides a preference for eligible current city employees, veterans, and current city residents.
  • The City of Wilmington is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Delaware Persons with Disabilities Employment Protections Act, it is the policy of the City to provide reasonable accommodation when requested without causing an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources at 302-576-2466.

THE CITY OF WILMINGTON COMPENSATION PACKAGE

The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a robust healthcare portfolio to meet the needs of our employees and their families and is pleased to offer coverage on your first day of employment. Helping you understand the benefits we offer is important to us. Please refer to our Employee Benefits website to view all healthcare plans, vendor information, resources, and benefit rates.

Medical Insurance: Highmark BCBS of Delaware. City of Wilmington offers 2 medical plans, PPO II (Preferred Provider Organization) and an EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization).

Dental Insurance: MetLife. City of Wilmington offers three dental plans, Dental Plan 1, 2, and 3.

Vision Plan: Unum (Powered by EyeMed). City of Wilmington offers two vision plans, Basic Vision coverage which is available if you enroll in medical insurance. Basic Vision Coverage which is no cost, and the Buy-Up Vision coverage is available at an additional cost.

Additional Benefits: The City of Wilmington also offers other valuable benefits such as Life and AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability. Employer Provided HRA’s, Flexible Spending Accounts (medical reimbursement and dependent care), additional whole and term life insurances, short term disability and critical care insurance are also available at an additional cost to the employee.

Opt-Out Cash Back Incentive Program: Employees who choose to enroll in medical or dental coverage other than the City’s and can provide proof of this medical coverage may be eligible to receive additional income.

Wellness: We enjoy staying healthy together! Therefore, we have an engaging calendar of wellness events throughout the year for employees, retirees and their families. To learn more, check out our Employee Perks page.

Sick Leave: Accumulates at the rate of one day for each completed month of service, beginning after the first full month of employment.

Vacation: At least eight (8) hours* of vacation per month after the completion of the first six (6) months* of continuous employment until the next January 1. Each January 1 thereafter, employee will be credited with at least ninety-six (96) hours* of vacation for the calendar year, until the completion of five (5) years of continuous service.

Holiday: Eligible employees receive holiday pay from date of hire, View City Holidays

Life Insurance: The City agrees to provide term life insurance for each eligible employee for a maximum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) at no cost.

Pension: Eligible employees are able to participate in the State Pension Plan you will contribute 6% of your bi-weekly base pay.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional employee contributory plan available.

Live Near Your Work Program: Homebuyer Assistance program to provide up to $4,000 in homebuyers assistance for newly hired employees, first time homebuyers, and those employees choosing to purchase a residence in one of the City’s unique and culture-blended neighborhoods.

Tuition Reimbursement: The City encourages employee self-development and continuing education and provides a reimbursement program for eligible employees annually for qualified college or certification courses taken that year.

Teleworking/Remote Work*: Eligible employees qualify for a hybrid schedule upon approval through the city’s teleworking policy. The City is committed to increasing employee productivity and improving talent recruitment by providing employees with work alternatives that enable eligible employees to meet their work and family needs.

PSLF Program Eligible Employer: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information,

*Benefits for employees under collective bargaining agreements or appointed positions may vary.

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Computer Access (for interested candidates)

Candidates interested in using a City computer to apply for a position may schedule an appointment with the Department of Human Resources by calling (302) 576-2460.

Paper Option

When applying for a City of Wilmington Job, the best choice is to fill out the online Employment Application.

If the employment portal experiences technical difficulties or you are experiencing technical difficulties with the online application, you have the option to download and fill out the City of Wilmington Employment Application.

Submit the completed and signed application to:

  • Mail your application to:

    Department of Human Resources
    Louis L. Redding City/County Building
    800 N. French Street, 4th Floor
    Wilmington, Delaware 19801; or

  • Drop off your application to:

    Department of Human Resources
    Louis L. Redding City/County Building
    800 N. French Street, 4th Floor
    Wilmington, Delaware 19801

The paper option is a fillable PDF form. It must be typed or clearly printed in ink. Remember to review your application before submitting it to be sure it is filled out completely and signed.