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 Senior Equipment Operator operates a variety of heavy machinery to clean city streets, oversees the assigned crew ensuring proper maintenance of equipment, and performs complex cleaning tasks across designated routes and areas. Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with the City of Wilmington’s policies, procedures, and safety practices. The Senior Equipment Operator reports to the Assistant Supervisor of Street Cleaning. Additional responsibilities include:

• Operate various types of moderately complex maintenance equipment and frequently participate in the work performed. Work assignments require the operation of lower classification equipment and the performance of preventive maintenance on such equipment.
• Assist in training small crews of employees to perform routine and repetitive duties.
• Operate front-end loader, mechanical sweeper, leaf loader, crew cabs, stake body truck, tanker trucks, skid steerer, garbage and dump trucks, tractors, or riding mowers.
• Train small crew of unskilled workers, clean up oil spills, and respond to special complaints relating to unmarked hazardous materials, dead animals, poison ivy, bed bugs, and similar items as part of the duties.
• Assist with City events, snow removal, and hurricane or flood debris removal.
• Apply salt and brine applications to City streets.
• Wash and perform preventive maintenance on assigned vehicles.
• Possess and maintain a valid CDL Class “A” driver’s license with an active medical examiner’s certificate, a valid Tanker endorsement, a good driving record, and the ability to pass drug screening as mandated by the Federal Department of Transportation for CDL drivers.
• Must be able to work overtime as needed.
• Performs all related work as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or GED equivalency with experience operating complex maintenance equipment; two or more years of experience operating a front-end loader and mechanical sweeper, or any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability.

• Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the methods of operating related heavy equipment. Knowledge of traffic laws and City street layouts. Ability to operate assigned equipment safely and efficiently. Ability to detect defects in equipment, make minor repairs, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Skills: Good knowledge of supervisory techniques and practices. Skilled in operating front-end loaders, skid steerers, and mechanical sweepers. Good communication skills.
• Abilities: Ability to operate automotive and related equipment safely and efficiently. Ability to detect operating defects in automotive equipment. Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods and physically lift objects weighing up to 100 lbs. Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
• Licenses: Possess and maintain a valid CDL Class “A” driver’s license with an active medical examiner’s certificate, a valid Tanker endorsement, a good driving record, and the ability to pass drug screening as mandated by the Federal Department of Transportation for CDL drivers. Forklift Certification required.

CANDIDATE EVALUATION

Evaluation for this position includes a review of the application materials, certification of qualified applicants, and 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: Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds independently; up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Vision: Requires the ability to see close vision and adjust focus as necessary.
• Working Conditions: Work is performed near moving mechanical parts and outdoors in all weather conditions, including precarious situations. The noise level is typically loud.
• Location and Schedule: This position may require weekend work, nights, or being on-call as part of the regular job responsibilities. Primary work locations may include City/County buildings and public safety facilities. Work involves travel between sites as necessary. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, based on business needs.

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 online, 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.
• 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, please click PSLF Loan Forgiveness.

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