City of Champaign, IL
Salary: $34.02 HourlyLocation : Onsite in Champaign, ILJob Type: Full TimeDepartment: Public WorksOpening Date: 08/22/2025Closing Date: 9/14/2025 11:59 PM CentralFLSA: Non-ExemptBargaining Unit: AFSCME Description Are you a whiz at fixing electrical equipment? Is it your dream to create a world in which traffic signals are always functioning properly? Are you looking for a career opportunity to help improve the quality of life and safety of the residents within our community? If so, then consider applying today to be an Electrical Technician with the City of Champaign Public Works Department Traffic & Lighting Division.Responsibilities of PositionOur Electrical Technicians are part of a skilled and high performing team that keeps traffic flowing efficiently and safely by ensuring traffic signals and street lighting are maintained and in good working order. They also work on pedestrian crosswalk signals, pedestrian pushbuttons, school flashers, and other specialized equipment. Since continuous signal operation is paramount, Electrical Technicians must be available as needed to respond to after-hours emergency repairs. They participate in the City's snow & ice removal efforts and respond to other emergencies that may require working up to 16-hour shifts with little to no advance notice and may assist with the City's yard waste collection program. Training on City-specific systems and equipment and for required licenses or certifications will be provided, as needed.Required Qualifications•Education equivalent to an associate degree or vocational degree or certificate in Electronic Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Computer Science, Traffic Signal Technician, or a related field.•Experience in the installation, troubleshooting, corrective repair, and preventative maintenance of the types of electrical equipment and systems found in traffic signals and similar equipment.•An equivalent combination of work experience and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.•Experience with computers, smart phones, tablets, and map applications.•Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions.•Ability to operate equipment such a bucket truck and small crane hoist.•Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.•Possess or the ability to obtain within an approved timeframe a Class B CDL license without air brake restriction. (Training provided, if needed)•Possess or the ability to obtain within an approved timeframe International Municipal Signal Association Traffic Signal Technician Level I and II certifications. (Preparation and test time provided, if needed)•Possess or the ability to obtain within an approved timeframe forklift certification. (Training provided, if needed)•Ability to perform essential functions that have physical requirements as noted in the job description including working at heights in excess of 40 feet, with or without accommodation.Preferred Qualifications•Experience repairing or maintaining traffic signal equipment, street lighting, crosswalk signals, school, flashers, or similar equipment.•Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with traffic signals or street lighting system malfunctions.•Experience working snow and ice removal.Drug screening and driving record check will be required. The starting salary is $34.02 per hour, plus an excellent fringe benefits package. Applications must be submitted online no later than Sunday, September 14, 2025.Other Information The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process.The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.Our mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community.These values guide our work:Personal IntegrityWe act in the best interests of the CityWe behave in an ethical and legal mannerWe are open and honestWe follow through on commitmentsWe are loyal to the CityResponsibilityWe anticipate issues, problems, and opportunitiesWe take initiativeWe act to prevent and solve problemsWe take responsibility for the outcome of our actions and decisionsWe hold ourselves and others accountableRespectWe treat others in a fair, courteous, and equitable mannerWe actively listen and seek understandingWe provide a direct responseWe embrace ethnic and cultural diversity in the community and our workplaceWe are positive and cooperativeWe are willing to apologizeTeamworkWe know and respect our roles and responsibilitiesWe ask who needs to be involved and we involve others appropriatelyWe define and agree upon the goalsWe collaborate to achieve organizational goalsWe help others accomplish their goalsWe share authority, responsibility, and creditResultsWe take pride in our workWe complete assignments and projects on time and within budgetWe evaluate outcomes and seek feedback on our performanceWe learn from our mistakesWe innovateThis position is covered under the City of Champaign American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit labor agreement. HEALTH INSURANCE The City of Champaign offers a robust PPO Select Network plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.The City of Champaign pays up to $606.10 of the employee (single) health insurance premium and 50 percent of the dependent premium for continuous full-time employees. Premiums for single employee coverage above $606.10 per month are shared by the employee and the City. For the 2025/2026 plan year, AFSCME employees contribute 1.3194 percent of their salary for the plan. Premiums may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Health insurance coverage begins on the date of hire and ends on the employee's last day of work at the City. Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCEEmployees may purchase dental and/or vision insurance through payroll deduction. Employees pay 100 percent of the monthly premium for this coverage. Premiums for dental and vision insurance may be made on a pre-tax basis, through the City's Section 125 plan. Dental and vision insurance begins after waiting for one complete calendar month (e.g., if hire date is in the month of January, coverage begins on March 1st). The dental plan has two options: Delta Dental Network Low Plan (PPO) and Delta Dental High Plan. Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed.Rates are available under the Fringe Benefit Summaries section on the City's website at LIFE INSURANCEThe City provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy for continuous full-time AFSCME employees and an $8,000 term life insurance policy for continuous part-time AFSCME employees through The Hartford. Premiums are paid by the City. Employees may elect to purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for themselves up to 5x their annual salary or $500,000 (whichever is lower), through payroll deduction. Employees may also purchase term life for their spouses/dependents.•Employee voluntary supplemental life insurance coverage can be purchased in $10,000 increments and the price is calculated based on the employee's age.•Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their spouses up to half the amount purchased for themselves in $5,000 increments. Cost is calculated based on the employee's age.•Employees may purchase voluntary supplemental life insurance for their dependent children in the amount of $10,000 for any/all eligible children.•Employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance for their spouse and eligible dependent children.o Option #1: $3.60/month for $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for any/all eligible children.o Option #2: $1.80/month for $5,000 for spouse and $2,000 for any/all eligible children.SICK LEAVEContinuous full-time employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 3.69 hours per pay period (approximately 1 day per month), subject to labor contract provisions. The sick leave accrual rate is pro-rated for continuous part-time employees.VACATIONVacation accrual rates are based on years of service and pro-rated for part-time employees. Employees are eligible to take vacation after six months of employment. Requests for leave to be taken during the initial six months of employment must be approved by the employee's supervisor and may be permitted through a combination of personal leave, unpaid leave, flex time, and/or compensatory time. PERSONAL LEAVEAt the beginning of each fiscal year, continuous full-time employees are credited with three personal days (24 hours); personal days are pro-rated for continuous part-time employees. Personal leave may not be accumulated and carried over into the next fiscal year (July 1st). Personal leave during the first year of employment varies based on the date of employment.HOLIDAYS New Year's DayMartin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas DayEmployees may be required to work on holiday(s). Those employees receive additional compensation or time off.PENSIONIllinois state law requires that eligible municipal employees be covered by the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Employee contributions to IMRF are 4.5 percent of salary and are tax-deferred. For 2024, the City contributes 6.46 percent of eligible employee's salaries to IMRF. In addition, IMRF members are covered by Social Security (FICA). Obtain additional information by contacting IMRF at 1-800-ASK-IMRF. Employees are eligible to contribute additional funds to IMRF through Voluntary Additional Contributions. RETIREMENT HEALTH SAVINGS (RHS)A retirement health savings plan administered by the Mission Square Retirement Corporation has been established for AFSCME employees. AFSCME employees participate in the plan at separation or retirement of employment by contributing a portion of sick, vacation, and comp time leave balances. Threshold leave balance amounts are applicable. This account is available for use by the employee at retirement or separation of service. Eligible uses of the funds include medical expenses such as health insurance premiums, dental/vision expenses, coinsurance, and co-pays for employees, spouse, and/or dependents. LONGEVITY PAYEmployees receive longevity pay based upon their years of continuous employment with the City. Longevity pay is an addition to the employees' base wage rate.CREDIT UNIONEmployees may join the Credit Union I. Payroll deduction for savings and credit union loan payments are available as well as a deduction for a savings bond program and Christmas Club. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Credit Union directly at (800) 252-6950.DEFFERED COMPENSATION PLANThe City of Champaign offers employees the opportunity to participate in a tax-deferred annuity plan of the Mission Square Retirement Corporation through payroll deduction. This is an optional plan with no City contributions. More information may be obtained by contacting Client Services (1-800-669-7400).RESIDENCY INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENTThe City offers a Residency Incentive Reimbursement of $2,500 to AFSCME employees who establish residency or relocate within the City of Champaign (or Champaign County for METCAD employees). Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Human Resources Department.UNION DUESThe AFSCME union establishes the regularly monthly dues which are collected by the City through payroll deduction on behalf of the union.CONTRACTView the current American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Bargaining Unit contract at 01 Please select the option below that best describes your educational background: High school diploma or equivalent Vocational degree/certificate Associate degree or higher 02 If you selected "Vocational degree/certificate" or "Associate degree or higher" above, please provide the degree/certificate granting educational institution or agency and the major/area of study. 03 If you selected "High school diploma or equivalent", please describe your equivalent combination of education and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 04 This position requires the individual to work on specialized traffic and lighting infrastructure equipment including traffic signals, street lighting, crosswalk signals, pedestrian pushbuttons, and school flashers. Please select from below the areas in which you have experience. Check all that apply: Installing electrical equipment or systems Troubleshooting electrical equipment or systems Performing corrective repairs on electrical equipment or systems Performing preventative maintenance on electrical equipment or systems None of the above 05 Please describe your experience with each of areas selected above. Enter N/A if you selected "None of the above". 06 Do you have any experience with using electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets or mapping applications? Yes No 07 Are you able to perform the duties of the position outdoors effectively in adverse weather conditions, including extreme temperatures? Yes No 08 Please describe your experience operating equipment commonly used in traffic signal and street lighting maintenance, specifically bucket trucks and small crane arms. If you have no experience in this area, enter N/A. 09 Do you currently possess a valid state issued driver's license? Yes No 10 Do you currently possess or are you able to obtain within a timeframe approved by the Traffic and Lighting Supervisor a class B Illinois commercial driver's license without air brake restriction? Yes No 11 Do you currently possess or are you able to obtain within a timeframe approved by the Traffic and Lighting Supervisor forklift certification? Yes No 12 Are you able to perform the duties of the job, including bending, climbing, performing work at varying heights above the ground, and lifting, loading and unloading, and maneuvering a variety of items weighing up to 70 pounds, with or without accommodation? Yes No 13 Are you able to work extended hours/shifts as needed, to respond to snow and ice events or other Public Works emergencies? Yes No 14 Are you able to respond to after-hours emergency requests for traffic signal and street lighting repairs? Yes No 15 Select from below the certifications you currently possess. Check all that apply: Traffic Signal Technician I Certification from the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) Traffic Signal Technician II Certification from the IMSA Other related certification None of the above 16 If you selected "Other related certification" above, please specify. 17 Please select from below the types of equipment with which you have experience repairing and maintaining: Traffic signals Street lighting Crosswalk signals School flashers None of the above 18 Describe your experience troubleshooting or diagnosing traffic signal or streetlight system malfunctions. Enter N/A if you have no experience in this area. 19 Please select the option below that best describes your snow and ice removal experience: Primarily State/municipal roads or streets Primarily commercial or private driveways/parking lots Primarily residential driveways/sidewalks None of the above 20 Please indicate the types of snow removal equipment with which you have experience. Select all that apply: Shovel Walk behind snow blower ATV Riding mower with snowplow Riding snow blower Pickup with snowplow Dump truck with snowplow None of the above Required Question