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FOREMAN OF SEWER CLEANING

City of Chicago
$64.15/hr
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Jun 15, 2026
FOREMAN OF SEWER CLEANING Job Number: 416180
Description

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Foreman of Sewer Cleaning

DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT

Number of Positions: 2

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $64.15/hour

These positions are open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with THE CHICAGO JOURNEYMAN PLUMBERS UNION 130 (BARGAINING UNIT #16). Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Applications for this position will be accepted 6/15/26, until 11:59pm CDT on 6/30/26

The Chicago Department of Water Management is seeking two Foreman of Sewer Cleaning to supervise, coordinate and inspect the activities of crews engaged in the inspection and cleaning of sewers and drainage structures and scraping and flushing of main sewers in a designated sewer district within the Department of Water Management, and perform related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

  • Makes work assignments, prioritizes jobs, and directs the work of crews to ensure inspection and cleaning work is performed efficiently and in compliance with departmental and federal standards (e.g., US Environmental Protection Agency)
  • Monitors work operations at work sites, observing work activities of crews engaged in operating specialized equipment (e.g., vactor trucks and trucks with orange peels) to clean, flush and remove water and debris in and around sewers and drainage structures including catch basins, gutter boxes, valve basins and main sewer lines
  • Checks supply levels, initiates orders to produce needed materials, tools and equipment and arranges for delivery to work sites
  • Ensures that work sites and crews are equipped with required safety equipment and that required safety barricades are set-up at sites
  • Implements safety work procedures and practices to minimize employee accidents and promote a safe work environment
  • Reviews daily manpower reports for accuracy and completeness, coordinates with departmental divisions to ensure sewer repair work identified during cleaning is addressed and closes out work order requests
  • Approves time off requests, conducts performance evaluations and initiates and enforces disciplinary actions
  • Supervises the preparation of and prepares productivity and work activity reports utilizing various manual and computerized systems
  • Oversees the training of crews in the proper and efficient use of tools, equipment and machinery
  • Coordinates response activities related to advanced complaints and flooding

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: Various

Days: Various

Hours: Various

THESE POSITIONS ARE IN THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

* Four years of work experience in the maintenance, repair, cleaning or construction of water and/or sewer distribution systems.

* A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required. Must have the permanent use of an automobile that is properly insured including a clause specifically insuring the City of Chicago from accident liability.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposure to outdoor weather conditions

Exposure to loud noise, fumes or dust, oily or wet environment

Exposure to hazardous conditions (e.g., heavy machinery, construction sites)

EQUIPMENT

Personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hat, shoes, glasses, gloves)

Safety devices or equipment (e.g., cones, barricades, metal plates, scaffolding, ropes)

Heavy duty specialized equipment used to clean catch basins and drains (e.g., orange peel bucket, vactor equipment mounted on trucks)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time

Ability to operate applicable tools and equipment

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to successfully pass a written test / skills assessment and complete an interview. Test results will be sent out by the Department of Human Resources after test results have been analyzed and compiled. The interviewed candidate(s) receiving a passing score on the test and possessing 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://my.chicago.gov/dam/intranet/documents/depts/dhr/INFORMATION/2026_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 click here.

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

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Job Posting : Jun 15, 2026, 5:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External : Jul 1, 2026, 4:59:00 AM
BU : 16 | Salary : $64.15/hr Pay Basis : Yearly
Applied = 0

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