Maintenance Equipment Operator

Maintenance Equipment Operator )

Requisition :

Work Locations: 2199 S. 1st Avenue

Job Posted:
May 18, 2026

Closing Date:
Jun 9, 2026

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.

• Plan and prepare work schedules and pair projects at all District properties utilizing heavy and light equipment and vehicles; work in conjunction with skilled trades to complete assignments.
• Operate trucks, tractors, snowplows, bulldozers, graders, backhoes, excavators, jack hammers, fire equipment, mowers and other similar equipment and attachments for the completion of assigned maintenance projects.
• Perform routine inspections and services equipment to maintain efficiency before, during and after operation.
• Maintain work log records manually or via computer maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Schedule maintenance and repair of field equipment as necessary.
• Demolish old and abandoned houses and buildings utilizing bulldozers, graders, and other specialized machinery.
• Recover and/or remove abandoned vehicles from District holdings.
• Clean own work area by picking up tools, parts, and discard items, sweeping the area and washing the floor.
• Perform manual labor using hand or power tools as needed.
• Install pipe gates by digging holes and pouring concrete.
• Repair fences, gates and barriers as required.
• Transport disabled vehicles and equipment back to the District garage to prevent further damage; deliver materials and supplies to various project sites as needed.

• 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.
• Current valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License with a tanker endorsement and none of the following restrictions: automatic‑only restrictions and air brakes restrictions.

• At least one 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 one season of work experience on FPCC property with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Green corps Chicago; OR at least one season of work experience with other partners such as Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

• 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…