Maintenance Equipment Operator

 Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Facilities Manager, operates a variety of heavy equipment and vehicles, such as trucks, earth moving machinery, snowplows, and agricultural tractors to accomplish maintenance and repair projects throughout the District. Plans maintenance projects utilizing heavy and light equipment and motorized vehicles. Performs routine inspections and preventive maintenance on equipment and vehicles to maintain operating efficiency before, during and after operation.  Prepares, maintains and submits reports as required.  Performs other duties as assigned. This is a full time union position. 

Typical Duties

Plans and prepares work schedules pair projects at all District properties utilizing heavy and light equipment and vehicles; works in conjunction with skilled trades to complete assignments.

Operates trucks, tractors, snowplows, bulldozers, graders, back hoes, excavators, jack hammers, fire equipment, mowers and other similar equipment and attachments for the completion of assigned maintenance projects.

Performs routine inspections and services equipment to maintain efficiency before, during and after operation.

Maintains work log records manually or via computer maintenance management system (CMMS).

Responsible for scheduling maintenance and repair of field equipment as necessary.

Demolishes old and abandoned houses and buildings utilizing bulldozers, graders, and other specialized machinery.

Recovers and/or removes abandoned vehicles from District holdings.

Cleans own work area by picking up tools, parts, and discards items, sweeping up the area and washing the floor.

Performs manual labor using hand or power tools as needed.

Installs pipe gates by digging holes and pouring concrete.

May repair fences, gates and barriers as required.

May be required on occasion to transport disabled vehicles and equipment back to the District garage to prevent further damage. Transports and delivers materials and supplies to various project sites as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or higher and five (5) or more years of full-time work experience in the operation of heavy construction equipment, machinery, and vehicles.   

Must possess a current valid Class A Commercial Driver's License with a tanker endorsement and none of the following: automatic only restrictions and air brakes restrictions.

Preferred Qualifications

At least 1 season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC); OR at least one season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member; OR at least 1 season of work experience on FPCC property with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago; OR at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as, Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Skill in the transport of heavy equipment.

Knowledge and ability to operate equipment such as: a backhoe loader with SAE controls, lowboy tractor & trailer, hydraulic excavator with SAE controls, dump truck manual transmission, bulldozer 953 crawler/loader, street sweeper, semi-dump truck & trailer, semi- truck & trailer combination, track excavator, mini-excavator, crawler/grader, large rubber tire pay loader, front end loader, large compacting roller, and 10 wheel dump truck & trailer.

Ability to review and comment on the accuracy of the plans, drawings and specifications used in rehabilitation/construction of new or existing structures, facilities, or landscapes.

Knowledge of the methods of maintenance and repair and various projects.

Basic understanding of the mechanical performance of heavy equipment; skill in locating and identifying minor defects and malfunctions in such equipment.

Ability to perform manual labor using simple hand tools including, but not limited to, shovels, brooms, screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints and mechanical drawings.

Skill and ability in planning, inspecting and troubleshooting work assignments and projects.

Ability to maintain legible logs and other written records.

Ability to use judgment often on maintenance and repair matters within area of duties.

Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.

Good communication skills both verbally and in written form; ability to interact effectively with a variety of individuals.

Ability to withstand various types of physical exertion, including, but not limited to, lifting, pulling, pushing, and moving objects of moderate to heavy weight.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.

Benefits Package

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Basic Term Life Insurance

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

You May Qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link:

http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Veteran's Preference

When applying for employment with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, preference is given in the application process to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than 180 consecutive days or during War Time. To take advantage of this preference, a Veteran must:

Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Identify themselves as a Veteran on their employment application by answering Yes to the question "Are you a military veteran?"

Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215, or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation) at the time of application by uploading it as part of your application. If there are multiple DD 214s, DD 215s, or NGB 22s, please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (before 911) or the Department of Homeland Security (after 911).

Veteran must provide original applicable discharge papers at time of interview.

General District Employment Requirements

PROOF OF EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED.

MUST BE A RESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY OR ESTABLISH RESIDENCY IN COOK COUNTY WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMAIN A RESIDENT AT ALL TIMES DURING EMPLOYMENT WITH THE DISTRICT.

MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AT THE TIME OF HIRE OR SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WITHIN 1 WEEK OF START DATE.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. We value our employees and the different talents, expertise, and viewpoints that each brings to the table. We believe a robust exchange of ideas results in better decision-making and we commit to providing a constructive, safe, and positive work atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and empowers individuals to thrive in their jobs.