Employment Application Packet - Available through April 22

The employment application packet is available at Oak Forest City Hall, 15440 S. Central Ave., Oak Forest IL 60452 through Friday, April 22, 2022 at 4 p.m. The employment application packet is not available for download and must be purchased at the City Clerk's Office for a non-refundable $30 fee.

Position Description

The City of Oak Forest Civil Service Commission will be accepting applications for the position of Public Works Maintenance Worker. This is an entry level position working under the general direction of the director of Public Works. Employees in this class perform a variety of entry level work as a member of a crew or an individual engaged in the construction, demolition, installation, and repair of city property. These tasks involve manual labor requiring the use of hand tools and light equipment operation in all weather conditions. Work may involve the construction, demolition, installation, and repair of water, sewer and stormwater lines, street maintenance, sanitation, building maintenance, and general housekeeping. Work assignments are repetitive in nature and can usually be performed with little supervision.

Distinguishing Features of Position

Employees of this class must have the ability to perform heavy physical labor, requiring strength and endurance, in an efficient manner.  Some work will involve the use of skills acquired through experience or on-the-job instruction, including but not limited to, welding, sign-shop operations, paint shop operations, machine shop operations, snow-plowing operations, street sweeping operations, tree-cutting and other equipment operations. This class of employee normally will work under the supervision of the superintendent of streets, but will occasionally be supervised by other senior lead workers such as the heavy equipment operators.  Work orders will be issued in either a written or verbal format and work will be inspected at the conclusion of any specific task.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Clean gutters, culverts, sewers, and other drainage structures; 
• Load and unload stone, gravel, dirt, asphalt, timber, snow, salt, and heavy mechanical equipment; 
• Patching streets, shovel mix off of truck, place in holes and tamp; 
• Assists in semi-skilled work such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, auto repair, concrete stirring, operate, and carry hand tools, carry or lift lumber, replace light bulbs or run errands;
• Sweep streets, gutters and sidewalks by hand, mows lawns with hand power mower, rakes leaves and cuts brush; 
• Performs a variety of other heavy manual labor in connection with the maintenance and construction of sidewalks, streets, sewers, water mains and parks;
• Drives truck to and from job site and works as a driver on other types of automotive equipment; 
• Works with rodding crew in the cleaning of sewers; 
• Digs post holes and sets posts; 
• Helps paint center lines using a motor-drive painting machine; 
• Operates street sweeper and snow plow, spreads salt and sand on slippery streets;
• Operates tractor mower and other mowing equipment; 
• Helps assemble, paint and install traffic lights and bases, helps to install underground and overhead cables for signals and lights, and repairs damaged signals;
• Operates high lift bucket truck;
• Performs a variety of semi-skilled building maintenance, carpentry, painting and masonry tasks; 
• Digs and braces sewer and water lines and ditches; 
• Raises and lowers manholes and performs masonry work involved; 
• Builds forms for sidewalks and works as a cement finisher;
• Makes water taps and cuts water on and off, answers sewer trouble calls and takes proper action;
• Frequently operates dump trucks with snow plows, front end loaders, backhoe, and other equipment;
• Makes installation of new water mains, hydrants, control valves, bends and tees, establishes the line and grade as provided in engineer’s and architect’s prints;
• Operates chain saws, jackhammers and related equipment;
• Repairs and sharpens tools and small equipment;
• Performs a variety of semi-skilled equipment maintenance and repair tasks;
• Operates painting equipment for vehicles and signs, maintain garage, and cleans floors and paints walls;
• Assists mechanics in the repair of the vehicle engines, does routine maintenance of vehicles;
• Operates motor grader and paving machines when assigned;
• When not working as a skilled laborer, works as an unskilled laborer as assigned; 
• Completes necessary job work orders and other related reporting and record keeping;
• Monitors work practices and worksite conditions to maintain personal safety in the performance of emergency and routine tasks; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Accredited high school diploma or G.E.D, and the possession of a valid state of Illinois Class ‘D’ driver’s license (within 90 days, the employee must obtain and maintain a state of Illinois Class ‘B’ commercial driver's license).  The position requires the ability to read and write legibly in the English language, comprehend manual instruction, and to understand verbal and written instruction. 

Required Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to heavy machinery, dim and bright light, dust, heat, cold, odors, and humidity.  The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic agents, disease, vibration, and noise.

Additional Requirements

• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate equipment;
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, bend, stand, talk and hear, lift up to 100 pounds and 50 pounds overhead and use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Must have the ability to reach with hands and arms; sit, climb, kneel, crouch, and crawl;
• Due to prolonged visual concentration, specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; and
• Must have the ability to work in a high-lift bucket truck up to a height of 55 feet.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The City of Oak Forest offers an excellent benefits package, including medical insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, with participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund system.

By order of:
Stella Selman
Chairman, Oak Forest Civil Service Commission
March 21, 2022