Water Restoration Technician

Skipcollc; Aurora, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental/Vision

5 Sick Days

Job summary

SkipCo. is seeking a Restoration Technician to join our field team. You will travel to multiple job sites weekly, respond to emergency property damage, evaluate water-affected areas, and execute drying plans in compliance with IICRC S500 and Illinois antimicrobial rules.

Role requires 4+ years in water mitigation, IICRC WRT/ASD preferred, valid driver’s license, and a safety‑minded approach. We offer medical, dental, sick days, and a supportive crew.

Qualifications

• Active field experience in water mitigation (4+ years).
• IICRC WRT and ASD certifications preferred.
• IICRC S500 knowledge and classification of water losses.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Initial Inspection and Assessment per IICRC S500.
• Inspect sites for water ingress and water loss category.
• Record moisture data and prepare drying baseline.
• Operate equipment to maintain controlled drying.
• Coordinate with project managers and clients on timelines.

Skills

IICRC S500 knowledge

Psychrometrics understanding

Strong communication

Team player

Tools

Moisture detection tools

Thermal cameras

Air movers

LGR/desiccant dehumidifiers

HEPA air scrubbers

Job description

Description

WHO WE ARE

At SkipCo., we specialize in providing top-quality construction labor and water restoration to general contractors, developers, and project managers across the region. With a team of highly skilled tradespeople, technicians and laborers, we support builds from the ground up — safely, efficiently, and on time. We take pride in our work with everything we do. From keeping our areas clean to the finishing touches as a project nears completion.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for amazing people to join our team. We have work that will sustain over the winter and longer. We are not looking for people on a contract or short-term basis. However, we are not opposed if someone is only looking for something short term,

WHAT THIS JOB IS IN A SNAPSHOT

The Restoration Technician works closely with SkipCo Team Leads, as well as clients and field management to support day-to-day project operations. This role is dynamic and hands-on, requiring flexibility to perform a variety of tasks that may change daily. The Restoration Technician will be responsible for traveling to multiple job sites on a weekly or sometimes daily basis. They will be responsible for responding to emergency property damage, evaluating water-affected environments, and executing mitigation plans to dry structures safely and efficiently. This specialized role requires a mastery of IICRC S500 standards and an active Illinois Antimicrobial Applicator Certification to legally and effectively handle Category 2 (gray) and Category 3 (black) water losses involving biocides and chemical sanitization

See the information below for a more detailed explanation of job duties, requirements, and benefits we offer.

Requirements

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Initial Inspection and Assessment (IICRC S500 Compliance)
• Inspect sites to identify the source of water ingress and determine the Category of Water (1, 2, or 3) and Class of Water Loss (1, 2, 3, or 4)
• Mapping moisture: footprints using specialized diagnostic tools, including thermal imaging cameras, pin less moisture meters, and invasive pin meters.
• Documentation: such as temperature, relative humidity, grains per pound (GPP), and vapor pressure to establish a drying baseline
• Track progress: Communicate clearly with site leads regarding material needs and project status to ensure timely completion.
• Mitigation and Structural Drying:
• Extract standing water efficiently using truck-mounted or portable extraction units, weighted extractors, and subsurface tools.
• Calculate airflow and dehumidification requirements using IICRC S500 formulas to determine the precise number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed
• Deploy equipment strategically to maximize evaporation and maintain a controlled drying environment.
• Remove unsalvageable porous materials, including water-logged drywall, insulation, and carpet cushion, following strict safety protocols
• Antimicrobial Application & Chemical Safety (Illinois Certification Required)
• Evaluate biological hazards on Category 2 and Category 3 water losses to determine the necessity of sanitizers or disinfectants.
• Select appropriate EPA-registered antimicrobials, biocides, or fungicidal coatings based on surface porosity and the specific contaminants present.
• Apply antimicrobials safely and legally in strict compliance with the product label, OSHA regulations, and Illinois state pesticide/applicator laws.
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respirators, eye protection, and disposable suits, during chemical application and mold remediation.
• Maintain detailed logs of chemical usage, application rates, and target areas to satisfy state regulatory record-keeping requirements.
• Monitoring and Documentation
• Monitor daily psychrometric readings to track drying progress, adjust equipment layout, and ensure drying goals are met.
• Record data accurately in restoration management software (e.g., Encircle, Xactimate, or DASH), uploading moisture maps, atmospheric logs, and photo documentation.
• Communicate clearly with project managers, property owners, and insurance adjusters regarding project timelines and drying milestones.
• Health and Safety
• As a water restoration technician you will always perform your work per in accordance with Company, Local, State, National Safety guidelines including but not limited to OSHA, IEPA, and the EPA.
• Initial safety inspections and documentation when arriving on site to perform initial water source and classification inspections.
• You will be required to confirm and enforce the levels PPE required to perform and complete all tasks associated with the scopes of work and water classes you will encounter daily.
• Fill out JHA’s (job hazard assessments) and upload them in the management software.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Certifications & Licenses:
• Active Illinois Department of Agriculture Antimicrobial Applicator License (Required).
• IICRC WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) certification (Preferred)
• IICRC ASD (Applied Structural Drying) certification (Preferred)
• Valid Driver's License
• PREFERRED - Class A: For any combination of vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds
• Skills & Physical Demands
• Experience level: Mid-level position requiring 2–4 years of active field experience in water mitigation
• Proven knowledge of psychrometrics, structural drying principles, and the IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration
• Proficiency using moisture detection tools, thermal cameras, air movers, LGR/desiccant dehumidifiers, and HEPA air scrubbers.
• Availability to participate in a rotating on-call schedule

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

• Professionalism: the ability to present yourself and represent the company in a professional and respectful manner.
• Organization: Highly organized with strong time management skills; able to prioritize and complete workloads as required.
• Flexibility: Dependable and available for night shifts, weekends, and off-hours work as project demands.
• Mindset: Self-motivated team player, friendly, approachable, and professional demeanor; excels in collaborative, non-confrontational environments.
• Communication: Strong communication skills; able to coordinate effectively with framing subcontractors, painters, and internal teams.
• Versatility: Proven background with water restoration across multiple project types (residential housing and commercial buildings).
• Tool expertise: moisture detection tools, thermal cameras, air movers, LGR/desiccant dehumidifiers, and HEPA air scrubbers.
• Subject matter expert: Water mitigation, inspections, restoration.
• Safety commitment: Consistently maintains a safety-first mindset, following site protocols and OSHA guidelines.

WHAT SETS YOU ABOVE

• Proven experience: 4+ years of professional experience as a dedicated drywall taper and finisher.
• Certifications & Licenses –
• IICRCC – WRT and/or ASD certifications
• Class – A driver’s license
• Cross-trade skills: Experience in basic carpentry, painting, and caulking is a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to work in an environment that requires a strong sense of physicality
• Capable of standing and walking for extended periods in various job site environments
• Physically able to climb ladders, bend, crouch, twist and access confined spaces as needed
• Physical capacity to lift up to 70 lbs, work in confined spaces (crawlspaces/attics), and stand for extended periods.

BENEFITS

• Medical benefits paid 70/30 split Employer/Employee
• Dental/Vision 100% covered by employer
• 5 Sick Days

COMPENSATION

• Starting from $30.00 /hr