BRIDGE OPERATOR

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is seeking Bridge Operators for the Chicago Department of Transportation to manage rotating shifts and operate bascule bridges on the Calumet River and Chicago River. Responsibilities include coordinating with vessels, recording lift data, and preparing incident reports.

The role requires a valid IL driver’s license and permanent access to an insured vehicle. Work hours are 7:30 AM–3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, at 3100 S Sacramento.

Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to perform the duties of the job.
• Valid State of Illinois driver's license is required.
• Must have permanent use of an automobile that is properly insured, including a clause insuring the City of Chicago from accident liability.

Responsibilities

• Operates an assigned bridge, raising and lowering electrically operated drawbridges to permit passage of waterway traffic.
• Activates power source and operates console to release and lock bridges during lifts.
• Monitors signals and alarms and halts street traffic as needed.
• Maintains records of bridge lifts and related vessel directions.
• Prepares incident reports of accidents occurring on drawbridges.

Skills

Willingness to perform duties

Education

Valid State of Illinois driver's license

Permanent use of insured automobile

Job description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

BRIDGE OPERATOR

Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)

DIVISION OF IN-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION - BRIDGES

Number of Positions: 4

Salary: $58,728

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CDT on 09/11/2026

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with the OPERATING ENGINEERS, LOCAL UNION 150 Bridge Operators (BU#31). Only employees currently in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

Under supervision, works a rotating shift and operates electric controls to raise and lower bascule draw bridges to allow the passage of waterway traffic on the Calumet River and the Chicago River, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Operates an assigned bridge, or travels from bridge to bridge, to raise and lower electrically operated drawbridges to permit passage of waterway traffic
• Activates power source and operates levers on operating console to initiate sequence of steps to release and activate locks to lift bridge to appropriate height and to lower and close bridge
• Operates controls that activate signals and alarms and lower gates to halt street traffic
• Ensures locks designed to secure the bridge in lowered position are properly in place before opening gates for vehicular traffic
• Observes and monitors waterway traffic and communicates with vessels traveling through the river; maintains communication with supervisors during boat runs on Chicago River
• Performs visual integrity checks to ensure bridge sidewalks are free of loose concrete, metal objects, and other debris and that lights on bridge are operational
• Visually inspects area around bridge houses to ensure they are properly maintained and secured; informs supervisor of needed repairs
• Mants the Bridge House by periodically cleaning the house (floors, desk(s), windows, equipment and tools, as well as ensuring documents, supplies, and tools are organized, maintained and easy to access
• Maintains records of the number, time, and duration of bridge lifts and of the names and direction of passing vessels
• Prepare incident reports of accidents occurring on drawbridges

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are

essential to positions within the class.

Location: 3100 S SACRAMENTO

Days: MON - FRI

Hours: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

• Willingness and ability to perform the duties of the job.

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

• A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required.
• Must have the permanent use of an automobile that is properly insured, including a clause specifically insuring the City of Chicago from accident liability.

Selection Requirements:

This is a non-interview title and WILL NOT REQUIRE A TEST. Bidders who APPLY CORRECTLY will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement. Non-Bidders who APPLY CORRECTLY will be hired in lottery/random order.

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. Department of Human Resources 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