OPERATING ENGINEER-GROUP A, 2FM 2026-2

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago is seeking an Operating Engineer-Group A for the Chicago Department of Fleet & Facility Management. The role oversees operation and maintenance of boilers, pumps, and HVAC systems across multiple city facilities, with a focus on safety, reliability, and routine reporting.

Work includes supervising trades, coordinating with vendors, and maintaining SCBA use protocols for potential hazardous incidents.

Qualifications

• Two years of work experience in operation and maintenance of high-pressure boilers, pumping units, and related mechanical equipment.
• Licensure as a City of Chicago Stationary Engineer is required.
• Illinois driver's license required.
• Substantial lifting up to 80 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision, operates/maintains boilers, pumps, motors, HV/AC systems.
• Cleans, oils and repairs pumps and mechanical equipment.
• Oversees electrical fixtures and equipment maintenance.
• Reads meters and records readings; documents status.
• Coordinates maintenance with trades and vendors.
• Maintains safety equipment and responds to emergencies.

Skills

Boiler operation

Pumps & HVAC

SCBA usage

Tools

SCBA

Job description

OPERATING ENGINEER-GROUP A, 2FM 2026-2

Job Number: 416306-1

Description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

NOTE TO BIDDERS: Per Contractual Bargaining Agreement, current City of Chicago employees, members of BU 12 Operating Engineers Local 399, who wish to exercise their contractual rights and bid for this position, cannot be considered for this vacancy unless at least one (1) year has passed since their most recent appointment date, at the time this posting closes.

OPERATING ENGINEER-GROUP A

Chicago Department of Fleet & Facility Management

Facility Operations

Number of Positions: 5

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $63.92 HOURLY

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with the INTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS UNION, LOCAL 399 (SELECT BARGAINING UNIT 12).

Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

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: Under direct supervision, 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 records readings. Requests 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 weekly work status 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, fluor-silicicacid, aluminum sulfate liquid), as required. Oversees work performed by private vendors and contractors on boilers, motors, pumps and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as required. Maintains general cleanliness of assigned work area. Performs other related duties as required.

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: Varies

Days: Rotating Days based on Operational needs.

Hours: Rotating Shifts 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm, 10pm-6am

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two 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 Illinois Driver's License is required.
• Substantial lifting (up to 80 pounds) is required.

NOTE TO BIDDERS: Per Contractual Bargaining Agreement, current City of Chicago employees, members of BU 12 Operating Engineers Local 399, who wish to exercise their contractual rights and bid for this position, cannot be considered for this vacancy unless at least one (1) year has passed since their most recent appointment date, at the time this posting closes.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires the successful completion of an online application and an initial screening process. Applicants who meet the established screening criteria may be invited to participate in one or more assessments designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, or competencies relevant to the role. This position requires candidates to take a skills assessment test with multiple components. BIDDERS who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and PASS the skills assessment test with multiple components, will be INTERVIEWED. Bidders who possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected and hired in seniority order and according to C.B.A rules. Non-BIDDERS who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and PASS the skills assessment test with multiple components, will be INTERVIEWED. Non-Bidders who possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

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 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

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

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Job Posting

Sep 14, 2026, 5:00:00 AM

Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External: Sep 28, 2026, 4:59:00 AM

BU: 12

Salary: $63.92 HOURLY

Pay Basis: Yearly