Maintenance Equipment Operator (35489)

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title Maintenance Equipment Operator (35489) Classification Maintenance Equipment Operator Position Number 00035489 Open Date 10/23/2026 Close Date 11/02/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Non-Exempt Job code 2900 Union Representation Union Union Code ENR - Intrnl Union of Oper Eng #150G Unit/Department Grounds College/Unit Facilities Management Division Administration & Finance Location GO Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://www.niu.edu/facilities/grounds/index.shtml

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University is a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world. NIU's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Our mission is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world.

Position Summary

To maintain and beautify the grounds of Northern Illinois University as well as work in conjunction with other departments of the Physical Plant to complete building maintenance projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Snow Removal

• Remove snow by snowplows, front-end loaders, snow blowers, and hand shovels.
• May also be assigned to haul away the snow in various sizes of dump trucks.

Concrete and Pavement Repair

• Remove concrete and pavement surfaces as required for utility repairs.
• Repair concrete and pavement surfaces when other departments of the Physical Plant have completed their portion of job.
• Blacktop sidewalks and streets, as needed.
• Supervise various work crews as directed by the Grounds Superintendent or designee.
• Support other miscellaneous excavation-related work as may be requested.

Lawn Mowing

• Mow lawns on a regular basis using three, five or seven-gang reel mowers, a five-gang front-end mower, large rotary mowers and at times a hand mower for trimming.

Hauling Gravel, Sand and Misc

• Haul gravel and sand from the gravel pit, hot mixed asphalt from the mixing plant and other hauling as directed.

General Maintenance

• Perform other general maintenance duties such as, but not limited to, raking leaves from lawns, pruning trees and shrubs and digging holes as directed by the Grounds Superintendent or designee.
• Other miscellaneous, related duties as required.

Maintenance of Large Grass areas & Gravel Parking lots

• Plow, disc, harrow, drag, fertilize, seed and roll large grass areas. Grade gravel parking lots, when necessary.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Possession of a valid driver's license as required by the State of Illinois for the type of motor vehicle(s) to be operated by the incumbent.
• Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing a variety of semi-skilled manual tasks in the maintenance and operation of automotive or related maintenance equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Ability to supervise.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

None

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Additional Requirements (SPS)

n/a

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

n/a

Physical demands/requirements

None

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 11/16/26 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 40.00 Working Hours Varies based on operational needs Salary $56,160.00/annually per collective bargaining agreement; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $27.00/hourly Earn Type Hourly

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure:

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.

• If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.

• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.

• Applicants must be a current citizen or resident of the State of Illinois to move forward in the hiring process.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

• Click on Maintenance Equipment Operator for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/98110 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services 2nd floor

CivilRights@niu.edu

815-753-0455

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

• Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
• Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?

• Yes

• No

• • What is the highest level of education attained?

• GED

• High School Diploma

• Associates Degree

• Bachelors Degree

• Masters Degree

• PHD

• • Have you attached transcripts to support the degree(s) you are submitting for consideration with this posting?

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

• • How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• 0-1

• 1-3

• 3-5

• 5-7

• 7+

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

• • If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience operating equipment/machinery such as trucks, tractors, tractor mowers, power riding lawn mowers, snow plows, etc.

• No work experience directly related to the job function described.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience operating hand and power-operated garden tools and equipment such as seeders, spreaders, hedge trimmers, sprayers, lawn mowers, and pruning shears.

• No work experience directly related to the job function described.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience performing routine work in planting, transplanting, fertilizing, spraying, watering, pruning, and otherwise tending to the cultivation of flowers, bushes, or other shrubberies and ornamental plants.

• No work experience directly related to the job function described.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience in the basic inspection and maintenance of tools and equipment used in grounds keeping.

• No work experience directly related to the job function described.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance.

• My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)