Chicago Dept. of Aviation- Equipment Dispatcher

Number of positions: 2 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval). Starting salary: $51.11 per hour. This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City's collective bargaining agreement with TEAMSTERS, LOCAL 700 (Bargaining Unit #08). Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 8/3/2026.

About the role

Under general supervision, receives and transmits radio and telephone communications and dispatches appropriate equipment and personnel in response to vehicle and equipment breakdowns, service requests, and emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Work assigned shift at a Dispatch Center at O'Hare or Midway International Airport, monitoring, receiving, and transmitting radio communications to provide vehicle services supporting airport operations.
• Maintain records and monitor the location of Motor Truck Drivers and their assigned city vehicles, tracking airside or landside location through radio communications.
• Answer calls via radio and phone from Airport Operations staff requesting vehicle services support; dispatch vehicles and equipment, including escort/transport vehicles, sweepers, tow trucks, snow removal, or salt spreading equipment.
• Relay instructions and assignments from Motor Truck Foreman and Vehicle Services Management Team to Motor Truck Drivers via two-way radios and pagers; maintain communications during emergency or stand-by alert incidents.
• Call out and notify Motor Truck Drivers to report for work during emergency or snow operations; prepare manual and computerized manpower reports.

Location

O'Hare Airport AMC (Building 502), 10000 Montrose Ave., Chicago, IL 60666.

Schedule

• Days: Monday - Friday
• Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of work experience in operating automotive equipment as a Motor Truck Driver OR two years of work experience in operating radio and communications equipment in a communications or dispatch work environment.
• Must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment (STA).
• Must provide a valid U.S. driver's license at time of processing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic personal computer operations and applicable software.
• Strong knowledge of radio phraseology and utilization.
• Experience with radio communications equipment.
• Knowledge of geographical locations within the city and applicable departmental facilities.
• Understanding of departmental work operations, including equipment types, work crews, and emergency/incident protocols.
• Familiarity with the City's 311-CSR (customer service request) system.
• Knowledge of applicable City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Training Requirements

New employees must complete all training requirements, including working knowledge of specialized CDA equipment used for duty assignments, snow removal, and airport emergencies within 60 days, and pass a competency examination. Training includes:

• Radio Phraseology
• CDA Operations (duty assignments and equipment familiarization)
• Emergency response SOPs
• Winter Operations
• Functional knowledge of the Electronic Logging System

A 30-day training evaluation with a Foreman and/or Manager will be conducted.

Selection Requirements

Applicants must complete a written test/skills assessment. Bidders who receive a passing score will be hired in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement. External candidates who pass will be hired in lottery/random order.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 2 years of airfield/airport experience.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License with X Endorsement.

Pay

Starting salary: $51.11 per hour.

Benefits

For information on employee benefits, visit the City of Chicago Benefits website. For salary and title structure, visit the Classifications website.