GENERAL LABORER - DSS

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

GENERAL LABORER

DEPARTMENT OF STREETS & SANITATION

Bureau of Sanitation

Number of Positions: 50

(additional vacancies per budget approval)

Starting Salary: $26.28

These positions are open to the general public and all current city employees covered under the terms of the City's collective bargaining agreement with LABORERS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA LOCAL 1001 (BARGAINING UNIT 54).

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

Under immediate supervision, performs manual work of a physical nature in the performance of various work operations and is assigned to all bureaus and sections within the Department of Streets and Sanitation, including the Bureau of Rodent Control, Sanitation and Street Operations; and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Assigned to graffiti removal crew, rides lift equipment such as a cherry picker to reach and remove graffiti 10 feet or higher above ground

* Drives a city pick-up truck to transport tools and resources (i.e., porta-potty) to various work sites for S.W.A.P. (Sheriff's Work Alternative Program)

* Loads refuse carts by pushing/wheeling carts to the back of the refuse truck, positioning carts, and operating the hydraulic lever to lift, dump, and compact the refuse into the truck's hopper

* Cleans areas around refuse carts, shoveling, lifting, and loading loose garbage, debris, and bulk refuse onto the truck's hopper

* Works on graffiti removal crews, using soda blasting equipment by positioning and aiming hoses to remove graffiti from the surfaces of structures

* Assigned to Loop Operations, lifts and dumps filled garbage bags, replaces bags in street waste baskets, lifts and dumps street baskets into refuse truck hoppers

* Assigned to all-day barricade crew, traveling to various sites to load, set up, take down, and transport barricades

* Lifts and loads garbage bags in wire refuse baskets located on main thoroughfares, lifting and dumping refuse from baskets into the truck's hopper and compacting refuse using the hydraulic level mechanism

* Remove debris and bulk items to clean vacant lots, viaducts, and homes under court-ordered cleaning, shoveling, sweeping, and picking up garbage and loading onto trucks for removal

* Posts street sweeping and other sanitation signs, carrying cardboard signs, and walking assigned geographical areas, tying signs onto trees and fences, and/or removing old signs

* Baits rat burrows with rodenticides, carrying buckets of rodenticide pellets and placing them directly into the burrow, closing off the burrow entrance, and re-baiting as needed

* Loads and unloads rodenticides onto work vehicles and performs related laborer tasks

* Explains to homeowners the purpose of the site visit and obtains permission to access and walk around the outside areas of private property to visually locate and identify rat burrows

* Removes active wasp hives or insect nests found in trees in city parkways, using poles or riding in a lift basket to required heights to cut down hives and nests and/or apply pesticides

* Baits sewers, lifting sewer covers, and lowering block form of rodenticide into sewers

* Removes dead animals from streets, parkways, and private property, lifting and placing animals into required bags and loading and unloading them for transport and proper disposal

* Assembles new refuse carts by snapping on wheels and steel bars on carts

* Loads and unloads carts and delivers to ward offices and residential homes; picks up damaged refuse carts and returns to the warehouse

* Loads and unloads snow fence materials and installs by rolling the fence material and attaching it to poles using wire and wire cutters

* Cleans and clears vacant lots and viaducts of debris, using shovels, picks, rakes, and brooms to pick up and bag garbage and debris and load onto dump trucks

* Assists with garage demolitions, shoveling, picking up, and loading trucks with debris and materials left after the teardown of structures

* Power washes streets, sidewalks, and viaducts, lifting and using hoses and cleaning solvents to clean designated areas

* Mounts quick hitch plow refuse trucks, shovels sand to fill sandbags, and manually spreads sand; breaks up salt to ensure proper spreading; loads, unloads, and sets barricades

* Assigned to Loop Operations, performs a variety of duties including:

1. Driving a pick-up truck to various sites to sweep, pick up garbage, and clear areas of debris

2. manually clean and remove graffiti using spray solvents

3. Spread sand in vehicle accident areas

4. sweep and clean sidewalks and curbs using heavy-duty long-handled dustpans and brooms

5. power wash sidewalks and alleys

NOTE: The list of essential duties is not intended to be inclusive; there may be other duties that are essential to particular positions within the class.

Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location: Various locations

Days: Will vary

Hours: Various shifts

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

* Six (6) months of physical or manual laborer-related experience that requires strength for heavy lifting, loading, unloading, bending, and dumping refuse and various other materials, OR successful completion of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Laborers Training Program

Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications

* Depending on job assignments, some positions require a valid State of Illinois driver's license

WORKING CONDITIONS

* Exposure to outdoor weather conditions

EQUIPMENT

* Manual equipment (e.g., shovels, rakes, brooms, scoops, hand tools)

* Power equipment (e.g., power hoses, sandblasters)

* Personal protective equipment (e.g., shoes, glasses, gloves, safety vest)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* Extremely heavy lifting and carrying, ranging from 75 to 100 pounds, is required

* Ability to use and operate applicable hand tools and equipment requiring continuous hand gripping

* Ability to physically endure working in outdoor weather conditions

* Ability to move one's hands and arms to grasp, grip, or manipulate equipment and other objects

* Ability to stand, walk, and bend for extended or continuous periods

* Ability to climb (e.g., access to trucks, vehicles, or staircases)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER WORK REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

* Some knowledge of:

o Geographical areas of the city

o Applicable safety practices and procedures specific to unskilled labor and maintenance work

o Knowledge of applicable City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations

Skills

ACTIVE LISTENING

o Give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and do not interrupt at inappropriate times

Abilities

* COMPREHEND ORAL INFORMATION

o Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences

* SPEAK

o Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand

* COMPREHEND WRITTEN INFORMATION

o Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing

Other Work Requirements

* STAMINA

o Demonstrate energy and stamina to accomplish work tasks

DEPENDABILITY

o Demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and dependability, and fulfill obligations

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

o Pay careful attention to detail and thoroughness in completing work tasks

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 and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm CST on Friday, September 9th, 2025