State Agencies Host Resource Fair in Chicago

Attendees to Learn About Highway Maintainer Jobs, Application and Testing Process, Commercial Driver’s License Upgrade Information

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation and other state agencies and organizations are teaming up to make Illinois veterans and other residents aware of information pertaining to well-paying job opportunities as highway maintainers. The state is hosting a resource fair in Chicago, Oct. 19, at Arturo Velasquez Technology Institute’s AVI Auditorium, 2800 S. Western Ave. The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“We want to boost awareness of potential employment opportunities and provide veterans and other qualified residents with a thorough description of the highway maintainer position and application process,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “Veterans of the military have voluntarily committed themselves to serving and protecting our country and freedoms, and their veteran status gives them a preference under Illinois law to qualify for good jobs to help maintain our state’s highway system.”

The starting salary for highway maintainers is $4,394 per month. Applications should be submitted to the state's hiring agency, the Department of Central Management Services (CMS). Applicants will need to complete the highway maintainer test. Veterans are given hiring preference for highway maintainer positions.

The main requirement for highway maintainer jobs is possession of an Illinois Class “A” commercial driver’s license, with an endorsement “N” (tankers) or “X” (tankers with hazardous materials) and non-restricted air-brakes. Also required is one year of driving experience free of incidents that could result in license suspension or revocation.

Highway maintainers work from IDOT maintenance yards, driving and operating heavy duty maintenance trucks, including plows and salt spreaders, tractors, mowers, pavement-marking equipment and other heavy equipment. The position involves arduous manual labor. They are responsible for cleaning and clearing rights-of-way along IDOT highways and roads, patching and repairing roads and bridges as needed.

Information about the application and testing process will be available at the resource fair. Applications are available online at www.cms.illinois.gov. Please R.S.V.P. if you plan on attending the fair by providing your name, contact information and type of commercial driver’s license (and endorsement) you currently hold to dot.recruitment@illinois.gov or via telephone at 312-793-0485.