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OPERATING ENGINEER-GROUP A

City of Chicago
$62.05
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Apr 23, 2026
OPERATING ENGINEER-GROUP A Job Number: 416143
Description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

OPERATING ENGINEER - GROUP A

DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT

Water Supply

Number of Positions: 10

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $62.05/hourly; PR

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CDT on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

These positions are open to the general public and to all current city employees covered under the terms of the City's collective bargaining agreement with THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 399 (BARGAINING UNIT #12). Only employees currently in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under supervision, supervises the operation and maintenance of steam and electric turbines, pumps, high pressure boilers, fans, and air compressors in City buildings, water purification plants, heating and refrigeration plants, and pumping stations, and performs related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Maintains and operates high- and low-pressure boilers, motors, pumps, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

* Cleans, oils, and makes repairs and replacements on pumps and other mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning and safety

* Supervises and performs diagnostic and repair work on electrical fixtures and equipment

* Supervises labor and trades personnel engaged in performing building maintenance activities

* Reads meters and gauges at specified intervals to verify operating conditions and record readings

* Requisitions equipment and materials needed to complete necessary repairs

* Inspects fire prevention equipment for proper operation in case of an emergency

* Assists with or supervises the repair and adjustment or replacement of boiler and pumping equipment

* Completes time sheets and daily operating reports

* Coordinates maintenance and trade personnel engaged in building maintenance activities

* Maintains and wears Self Contained Breathable Air (SCBA) units used during possible HAZMAT incidents, as required

* Receives, stores, and/or handles industrial chemicals (e.g., liquid chlorine, fluorosilicic acid, aluminum sulfate liquid), as required

* Oversees work carried out by private vendors and contractors on boilers, motors, pumps and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position.

LOCATION: Varies

HOURS/DAYS: Varies

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two (2) years of work experience in the operation and maintenance of high pressure boilers, pumping units, and related mechanical equipment

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* A valid Stationary Engineer's license as issued by the City of Chicago is required

* Certification as a Universal technician as required by 40CFR part 82 subpart F of the EPA

* A valid State of Illinois Driver's License is required

NOTE: You must provide your degree/transcripts/licenses at the time of processing, if applicable.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* Substantial lifting (up to 80 pounds) is required

* Ability to stand and walk for extended or continuous periods of time

* Ability to quickly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with one's body, arms, and/or legs

* Ability to move one's hands and arms to grasp or manipulate objects

* Ability to climb staircases, ladders, and/or step stools

* Ability to operate applicable hand tools, power tools, and equipment

WORKING CONDITIONS

* General industrial and plant environment

* Exposure to loud noise * Exposure to extreme temperatures

* Exposure to hazardous materials, chemicals, fumes or dust

* Exposure to oily or wet environment

EQUIPMENT

* Standard office equipment (e.g., telephone, printer, photocopier, fax machine, calculator)

* Computers and peripheral equipment (e.g., personal computer, computer terminals, hand-held computer, scanner)

* Two-way radio

* Tools used in the repair and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment

* Personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hat, shoes, glasses, gloves, vest, pads)

* Testing and monitoring equipment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER WORK REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge Considerable knowledge of:

* *safety principles, methods, practices, and procedures

* *use of steam, electric heating, and cooling equipment

* *tools and instruments used in repairing heating and cooling equipment

* routine testing and inspection activities related to boiler operations

* *operation of switches, circuit breakers, motors, and pumps

Moderate knowledge of:

* building and facility maintenance and repair methods, practices, and procedures

Some knowledge of:

* supervisory methods, practices, and procedures

* maintenance control center operations and functions

Other knowledge as required for successful performance in the Operating Engineer - Group C class

Skills

* *ACTIVE LISTENING - Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask

questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times

* *CRITICAL THINKING - Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or

approaches to problems

* *COORDINATION WITH OTHERS - Adjust actions in relation to others' actions

* INSTRUCTING - Teach others how to do something

* *EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE - Perform routine maintenance on equipment and determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed

* EQUIPMENT SELECTION - Determine the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job

* *OPERATION MONITORING - Watch gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly

* *TROUBLESHOOTING - Determine causes of operating errors and decide what to do about it

Other skills as required for successful performance in the Operating Engineer - Group C class

Abilities

* COMPREHEND ORAL INFORMATION - Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and

sentences

* SPEAK - Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand

* COMPREHEND WRITTEN INFORMATION - Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing

* WRITE - Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand

* RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS - Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong

* REASON TO SOLVE PROBLEMS - Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense

Other abilities as required for successful performance in the Operating Engineer - Group C class

Other Work Requirements

* INITIATIVE - Demonstrate willingness to take on job challenges

* LEADERSHIP - Demonstrate willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction

* DEPENDABILITY - Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and dependability and fulfill obligations

* ATTENTION TO DETAIL - Pay careful attention to detail and thoroughness in completing work tasks

Other characteristics as required for successful performance in the Operating Engineer - Group C class

* May be required at entry.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires candidates to pass a test and complete an interview. Test results will be sent out by the Department of Human Resources after test results have been compiled and analyzed. Applicants who receive a passing score on the test will be selected to interview. The interviewed candidate(s) receiving a passing score on the test and possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral interview and written exercise, will be selected for hire.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Job Posting : Apr 23, 2026, 12:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External : May 7, 2026, 11:59:00 PM
BU : 12 | Salary : $62.05 Pay Basis : Yearly
Applied = 0

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