ASST CHIEF OPERATING ENGINEER

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is seeking an Assistant Chief Operating Engineer for the Bureau of Water Supply. The role supervises the operation and maintenance of boiler, pumping, and related systems across City facilities, ensuring safe, reliable performance.

Requires three years of equipment operation experience, a valid Stationary Engineer license, EPA Universal technician certification, and an Illinois driver’s license. Salary starts at $70.31 per hour; posting closes Oct 23, 2026.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of work experience in operation and maintenance of high-pressure boilers, pumping units, and related mechanical equipment, with at least one year in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Supervise operation and maintenance of boilers, pumps, and related equipment in City buildings/plants.
• Assign and monitor work activities of personnel involved in operating and maintaining boilers, pumps, and HVAC equipment.
• Inspect equipment and controls to assess condition and determine maintenance and repair needs.
• Oversee startup/shutdown of major units to safeguard equipment and ensure safe operation.
• Implement safety and training programs to improve maintenance skills of trades personnel.
• Record and analyze charts/data for operation efficiency and to forecast equipment breakdowns.

Skills

Supervisory experience

High-pressure boilers operation

Education

Stationary Engineer license

EPA Universal technician certification

Illinois driver’s license

Job description

ASST CHIEF OPERATING ENGINEER

Job Number:419968

BID ANNOUNCEMENT

Assistant Chief Operating Engineer, PR

DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT

Bureau of Water Supply

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $70.31 p/h

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on October 23, 2026.

This position is covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with THE OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 399 (BARGAINING UNIT #12). Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Under general supervision, assists in supervising the operation and maintenance of City buildings, institutions, or plants which operate large steam or electric pumping, power generating, incinerating, refrigeration, and heating facilities.
• Assigns and monitors the work activities of personnel engaged in the operation and maintenance of boilers, pumps, or heating, ventilation, air conditioning refrigeration and related equipment.
• Inspect pumping units, electric generating units, boilers, or heating, ventilating, air conditioning refrigeration and related equipment to ascertain their working condition and determine maintenance and repair needs.
• Supervises and adjusts facility and equipment controls to meet varying load conditions and to promote safe, economical, and dependable operation.
• Supervises and participates in the starting and shutting down of major units as a safeguard to equipment.
• Implements safety and training programs to improve maintenance and repair skills of trades personnel.
• Changes and supervises the changing of charts on all recording instruments to supply data and maintain a record of operation for statistical purposes and as a guide to increase efficiency and to forecast breakdowns in equipment.
• Perform emergency repairs on equipment.
• Orders and records receipt of supplies and materials and logs repair and replacement activities performed on equipment.
• Receives, stores, and/or handles industrial chemicals (e.g., liquid chlorine, fluorosilicic acid, aluminum sulfate liquid), as required.
• Oversee and/or works with contractors performing construction work and various equipment maintenance and repair projects, as required.

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Bureau of Water Supply

Days: Varies

Hours: Varies

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

Three (3) years of work experience in the operation and maintenance of high-pressure boilers, pumping units, and related mechanical equipment, of which one (1) year is in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

NOTE: A valid Stationary Engineer's license issued by the City of Chicago is required.

NOTE: Certification as a Universal technician as required by 40CFR Part 82 Subpart F of the EPA is required at the time of application.

NOTE: A valid State of Illinois Driver's License is required at the time of application.

NOTE: This position requires working with hazardous materials.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General office, 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 computers, computer terminals, hand-held computers).
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Substantial lifting (up to 50 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER WORK REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge Advanced 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

Knowledge Considerable knowledge of

• Building and facility maintenance and repair methods, practices, and procedures

Knowledge Moderate knowledge of

• Supervisory methods, practices, and procedures
• Maintenance control center operations and functions

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires applicants to successfully pass a written test/skills assessment and complete an interview. Test results will be sent out by the Department of Human Resources after test results have been analyzed and compiled. The interviewed candidate(s) receiving a passing score on the test and possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement.

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

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 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. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on an eligibility list in lottery order. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

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