GENERAL FOREMAN OF CONSTRUCTION LABORERS

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 79,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is seeking a General Foreman of Construction Laborers to supervise Foremen and crews across infrastructure projects, including streets, bridges and water/sewer structures. You will prepare manpower estimates, assign work, monitor safety and coordinate with management to ensure productivity and quality.

The position is located at 1501 West Pershing Road, with a Monday–Friday schedule 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, and is in the Career Service.

Qualifications

• Five years of work experience as a construction laborer, with at least three years in a supervisory role.

Responsibilities

• Direct large scale work operations and supervise Foremen and crews.
• Prepare manpower estimates for laborer services on projects.
• Create work schedules and assign tasks to Foremen of Laborers.
• Authorize requisitioning of materials and monitor overtime.
• Enforce safety procedures and ensure compliance with standards.
• Ensure laborers receive required training on pipelaying, tool operation, trenching and OSHA standards.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Construction laborer background

Job description

GENERAL FOREMAN OF CONSTRUCTION LABORERS

CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CDOT)

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Salary: $57.39/hourly; Grade: PR

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CDT on Monday, September 28, 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 LABORERS INTERNATIOAL UNION OF N.A. LOCAL 1092 (BARGAINING UNIT 53).

Under general supervision, functions as a second level supervisor, managing and directing the work of Foremen and their staff / crews of Construction Laborers and Laborer - Apprentices engaged in performing physically demanding labor at construction, maintenance, and repair project sites of public facilities or in the public way including streets and roadways, water distribution structures, sewer/drainage structures, bridges and viaducts, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Direct large scale work operations in an infrastructure department such as the Department of Transportation, directly supervising a group of Foreman of Construction Laborer engaged in overseeing and monitoring the work of work crews performing construction labor tasks
• Prepares manpower estimates of laborer services needed for scheduled construction, maintenance, and repair projects, working with management personnel to meet department's objectives, priorities and performance measures
• Prepares work schedules, organizes work crews and makes work assignments to Foreman of Construction Laborers, ensuring the efficient use of manpower resources
• Authorizes and approves the requisitioning of work materials, supplies and equipment to complete work projects; monitors and approves overtime
• Enforces safety requirements, inspecting work sites to ensure work crews follow established safety procedures and practices; works with Foremen to ensure work procedures and practices are in compliance with departmental, federal and state safety standards and regulations
• Ensures Laborers receive required training on proper and safe construction labor practices and procedures including pipelaying / installing pipe, operation of power tools, operation of forklift equipment, and trenching and excavation and OSHA safety and health standards
• Responds to major incidents or problems at work sites, coordinating work efforts with Foremen to ensure timely resolution of problems and minimal delay of work progress
• Works with management in developing and establishing performance measures, productivity and quality standards; conducts field inspections to assess compliance with standards
• Monitors and evaluates work performance of subordinate staff and prepares performance appraisals; reviews accident and injury reports
• Attends disciplinary hearing for staff; initiates and enforces disciplinary actions as required; responds to and resolves work related conflicts or problems with staff; enforces personnel rules

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 1501 West Pershing Road

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Five years of work experience as a construction laborer on construction, maintenance or repair projects, of which three years of work experience are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

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

NOTE: You must provide your valid driver's license at the time of processing.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral interview will be selected according to the cba.

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. 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.

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://my.chicago.gov/dam/intranet/documents/depts/dhr/INFORMATION/2026_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 and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor