BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT 

BLACKSMITH

DEPARTMENT OF FLEET AND FACILTY MANAGEMENT

FLEET OPERATIONS

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval) 

Starting Annual Salary: $53.10

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Blacksmiths Local 1 (Bargaining Unit 24). 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 until 11:59pm CDT on 6/3/2025

Under supervision, performs skilled blacksmith work in forging, shaping, and bending metals to fabricate metal parts for use in the repair and maintenance of equipment, and performs related duties as required

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

·         Reads blueprints and work orders to assess work required and to determine the type and size of parts to be shaped, the type of metals to be used and other requirements

·         Removes worn and damaged parts on equipment using plasma cutters or burning torches

·         Ensures adequate supplies of tools, equipment and materials are at work site to complete jobs

·         Heats metal to proper temperature in a blacksmith’s forge or furnace and uses hand and power tools to hammer, punch or cut metal to size and shape on an anvil

·         Uses a variety of welding methods including electric arc, MIG and TIG welding or oxy-acetylene welding to join parts

·         Fabricates metal parts and frames for use on fire trucks and firefighting apparatus, tow-trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles and equipment

·         Check’s part sizes using measuring instruments

·         Fabricates customized tools for use in the installation, replacement and repair of brackets, bars, wrenches, frames and other metal parts

·         Prepares work activity reports

·         Cleans and maintains forge and furnace, blacksmith tools and related equipment

·         Cleans work sites after repairs

Additional duties may be required for this position. 

Location:              VARIES

Days:                     VARIES

Hours:                   VARIES

                                                                                      THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

·         Successful completion of a US Department of Labor registered blacksmith apprenticeship training program and journeyman status; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

·         A valid State of Illinois driver’s license is required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

·         Substantial lifting (up to 50 pounds) is required

·         Ability to stand and walk for extended or continuous periods of time

·         Ability to quickly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with one's body, arms, and/or legs

·         Ability to climb staircases, ladders, and/or step stools

·         Ability to operate applicable hand tools, power tools, and equipment

SELECTION REQUIREMENT

This position does not require a test or interview.  Applicants who successfully apply for the position, meet the minimum qualifications, and possess the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be hired. Bidders will be hired in seniority order, non-bidders/externals will be hired in lottery order.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

·     Experience in the transportation industry

·     Experience working with heavy equipment

·     Welding experience

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://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf 

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted.?The 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 

Applications for this position will be accepted from May 19, 2025, until 11:59pm CST on June 3, 2025