Description
Starting Step One Salary: $63,248
Salary Range: $63,248 – $86,200
Do you like working outdoors, using tools and equipment, and taking on different tasks every day? The City of Des Plaines is hiring a Maintenance Operator to help keep our streets, sewers, water systems, and city buildings in top shape. If you’re dependable, take pride in a job well done, and want to serve your community, we’d love to have you on our team.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Street & Grounds Work: Fix sidewalks, curbs, and streets. Remove snow and ice, paint pavement markings, clean up graffiti, and maintain landscaping.
- Building Maintenance: Handle general building repairs—everything from carpentry and plumbing to electrical and custodial work.
- Water & Sewer Systems: Help install and maintain water mains, hydrants, catch basins, and sewer lines. Respond to customer service issues like low water pressure.
- Emergency Response: Be ready to help with water main breaks, floods, or other emergencies any time of day or night.
- Equipment Operation: Drive dump trucks and operate skid steers, loaders, power tools, and compressors. Do basic checks and maintenance on equipment.
What You Need
- Education & Experience: High school diploma or GED required. One to two years of general maintenance, construction, or utility experience is a plus.
- License: You’ll need a valid driver’s license and must get a Class A CDL with Airbrake, Fifth Wheel, and Tanker endorsements within 120 days of hire.
- Availability: You must be ready to work overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays during emergencies.
- Skills: Comfortable using power tools and heavy equipment. Able to follow directions, work safely, and communicate well.
Why Des Plaines?
- Steady, full-time work with variety every day
- Competitive pay and excellent benefits
- Pension plan and job security
- Be part of a team that makes a visible difference in the community
Check Out Our Incredible Benefits Package!
- Comprehensive Healthcare: Low-cost medical, dental, and optical insurance options for you and your family.
- Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, personal days, sick leave, and paid holidays.
- Tuition Reimbursement: For job relevant degrees, the City pays tuition for up to two classes per semester (including summer programs).
- Retirement Benefits: Participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
- Financial Security:
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Retirement Health Savings Account
- Transportation Spending Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Roth IRA
- Optional additional life insurance
Join the City of Des Plaines and help maintain the essential services that keep our community strong, safe, and thriving.
Learn more and view the full job description at here.
Application Deadline: 4/27/2026
Public Works Water Operator
Starting Step One Salary: $65,145
Salary Range: $65,145 – $88,786
Are you someone who enjoys working with your hands, solving problems, and being outdoors? The City of Des Plaines is looking for a reliable, hard-working Water Operator to help keep our water system running smoothly. This is a great opportunity for someone with general maintenance experience who wants steady work, good benefits, and a chance to make a difference in the community.
What You’ll Do
- Maintain Water System Equipment: Operate and take care of pumps, valves, and other water system machinery. Keep track of equipment performance.
- Make Repairs: Fix things like gauges, electrical parts, filters, and plumbing. Do routine maintenance to prevent breakdowns.
- Work with the Public: Help with water shut-offs and turn-ons, locate underground utility lines, and respond to customer concerns.
- Handle Emergencies: Be ready to respond to water main breaks, flooding, and winter snow removal when needed.
- General Building Maintenance: Perform carpentry, basic HVAC, plumbing, and electrical repairs at city facilities.
- Use Tools & Machinery: Operate trucks, loaders, generators, saws, and other equipment daily.
What We’re Looking For
- Education & Experience: High school diploma or GED required. One to two years of maintenance, construction, plumbing, or similar hands-on experience is preferred.
- Driver’s License: You’ll need a valid driver’s license. You must be able to get a Class A CDL with Airbrake, Fifth Wheel, and Tanker endorsements within 120 days of hire.
- Water License: We’ll help you get your Class C Water Operator’s License within your first year.
- Availability: You must be able to respond to emergencies 24/7. This role includes rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Why Des Plaines?
- Steady full-time work
- Great benefits and pension
- Team environment with training and growth opportunities
- Be part of the team that keeps Des Plaines running
Check Out Our Incredible Benefits Package!
- Comprehensive Healthcare: Low-cost medical, dental, and optical insurance options for employees and dependents.
- Generous Paid Leave: Vacation, personal time, sick leave, and holidays to support work-life balance.
- Tuition Reimbursement: For job relevant degrees, the City pays tuition for up to two classes per semester (including summer programs).
- Retirement Security: Participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).
- Additional Financial Benefits:
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Retirement Health Savings Account
- Transportation Spending Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
- Roth IRA
- Optional supplemental life insurance
Become part of the City of Des Plaines team and help keep our city’s most essential systems running smoothly and safely.
Learn more and view the full job description here.
Application Deadline: 4/27/2026
