SIGN PAINTER

Number of positions: 2 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval). Starting salary: $48.16/hour. This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with the Sign Painters – Local 830 Bargaining Unit #25. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

About the role

Under supervision, performs journey-level sign painter work in the design, computer and/or hand layout, screen printing, and hand lettering or vinyl copy of traffic and municipal signs, including airport signage, fleet equipment, and banners.

Responsibilities

• Gathers and reviews requisitions and work orders to assess work required and determine most appropriate preparation and application methods.
• Ensures adequate supplies of tools, equipment, and materials are available to complete sign painting assignments.
• Cleans and prepares surfaces to ensure paint, stencils, and/or vinyl materials will adhere properly.
• Operates computers and computerized sign-making equipment to layout lettering for traffic and municipal signs.
• Uses freehand or measuring devices to paint letters, numbers, and/or symbols and to apply vinyl graphics on signs and municipal equipment.
• Creates stencils for silk screening work by designing and spacing lettering styles and patterns.
• Creates silk screens to reproduce designs and shapes and applies onto signs and banners.
• Pours paint into silk screen frame on screen printing press and operates press or dips paint rollers in paint and draws across stencils to transfer design to various surfaces to produce signs and banners.
• Operates heavy-duty heat and pressure-sensitive applicator equipment to apply and compress reflective sheeting onto traffic signs.
• Creates and applies vinyl graphics onto wooden, aluminum, and metal sign blanks and banners.
• Operates laminating machine for related sign painting projects and tasks.
• Cleans trade equipment and work site after completion of sign painting assignments.
• Prepares work activity reports.
• May prepare artwork and painting on large foam presentation boards.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a U.S. Department of Labor registered Sign Painting apprenticeship training program and journeyman status, OR
• Successful completion of a company or industry-sponsored apprenticeship training program as a Sign Painter, plus two (2) years of journey-level experience as a Sign Painter, OR
• Six (6) years of journey-level experience as a Sign Painter.
• Some positions may require an OSHA 10 Card.
• A valid State of Illinois driver’s license is required.
• Some positions may require an EPA Lead Abatement Certification.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to loud noise, fumes, or dust.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• May perform work using scaffolds and ladders.

Equipment

• Standard office equipment (e.g., telephone, printer, photocopier, fax machine, calculator).
• Computers and peripheral equipment (e.g., personal computer, computer terminals, hand-held computer).
• Standard tools and equipment of the sign painting trade (e.g., laminator, silk screener, engraver, vinyl cutting tools, painters grip, taping knives, brushes, rollers, extension poles).
• Ladders, step stools, and scaffolding.
• Personal protective equipment (e.g., hard hat, shoes, glasses, gloves).
• Measuring tools (e.g., tape measure, ruler, calipers, measuring wheel).

Physical Requirements

• Lifting (up to 50 pounds) is required.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with one’s body, arms, and/or legs.
• Ability to operate applicable hand tools, power tools, and equipment.

Location & Schedule

3458 S. Lawndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Preferences

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous experience in operating computers and computerized sign-making equipment to layout lettering for traffic and municipal signs and/or to layout lettering for aircraft guidance signs meeting FAA standards.
• Previous experience in operating heavy-duty heat and pressure-sensitive applicator equipment to apply and compress reflective sheeting onto traffic signs.
• An EPA Lead Abatement Certification.