BLACKSMITH

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 67,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago seeks a skilled Blacksmith for the Department of Transportation, Division of Electrical Operation. Under supervision, you forge, shape, and repair metal parts for street and traffic lighting equipment, reading blueprints and work orders to determine parts and materials.

The position is located at 2451 S. Ashland, hours 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Starting pay is $59.10 per hour, with career service status and competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a US Department of Labor registered Boilermaker/Blacksmith apprenticeship training program and journeyman status.
• Successful completion of an industry or company sponsored apprenticeship training program as a Boilermaker/Blacksmith, plus two years of journey level experience.
• Six years of journey level work experience as a Boilermaker/Blacksmith.
• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Reads blueprints and work orders to assess work required and determine parts and materials.
• Removes worn and damaged parts on equipment using plasma cutters or burning torches.
• Heats metal in forge and shapes with hammers, punches and anvils.
• Joins parts using electric arc, MIG/TIG or oxy-acetylene welding.

Education

Boilermaker/Blacksmith apprenticeship

Journeyman status

Industry or company sponsored apprenticeship

Job description

Description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

BLACKSMITH

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DIVISION OF ELECTRICAL OPERATION

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Annual Salary: $59.10/HR

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths Local 1 (Bargaining Unit 24). Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 11/9/2026

Under supervision, performs skilled blacksmith work in forging, shaping, and bending metals to fabricate metal parts for use in the repair and maintenance of equipment, and performs related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Reads blueprints and work orders to assess work required and to determine the type and size of parts to be shaped, the type of metals to be used and other requirements


• Removes worn and damaged parts on equipment using plasma cutters or burning torches


• Ensures adequate supplies of tools, equipment and materials are at work site to complete jobs


• Heats metal to proper temperature in a blacksmith's forge or furnace and uses hand and power tools to hammer, punch or cut metal to size and shape on an anvil


• Uses a variety of welding methods including electric arc, MIG and TIG welding or oxy-acetylene welding to join parts


• Fabricates metal parts and frames for use in the construction, repair and maintenance of street and traffic lighting equipment.


• Check's part sizes using measuring instruments


• Fabricates customized tools for use in the installation, replacement and repair of brackets, bars, wrenches, frames and other metal parts


• Prepares work activity reports


• Cleans and maintains forge and furnace, blacksmith tools and related equipment


• Cleans work sites after repairs

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: 2451 S. Ashland

Days: Monday- Friday

Hours: 6:00AM- 2:30PM

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful completion of a US Department of Labor registered Boilermaker/Blacksmith apprenticeship training program and journeyman status, OR


• Successful competition of an industry or company sponsored apprenticeship training program as a Boilermaker/Blacksmith, PLUS two (2) years of journey level experience performing Boilermaker/Blacksmith work


• Six (6) years of journey level work experience as a Boilermaker/Blacksmith

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required

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 climb staircases, ladders, and/or step stools


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

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position does not require a test or interview. Applicants who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be hired. Bidders will be hired in seniority order, non-bidders/externals will be hired in lottery order.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Experience in the transportation industry


• Experience working with heavy equipment


• Welding experience

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: City of Chicago :: Classification and Pay Plan

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.

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