State Seeks Veterans to Fill IDOT Highway, Emergency Traffic Patrol Posts in Cook County

Veterans get preference in filling frontline jobs that clear roads of snow and ice, help drivers in distress

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs (IDVA) are teaming up to make Illinois veterans aware of well-paying job opportunities as Highway Maintainers in Cook County. In addition, IDOT has openings for Spanish speakers in its high-visibility Emergency Traffic Patrol (ETP) unit which assists drivers in trouble on Chicago area expressways.

“Governor Blagojevich is committed to ensuring that veterans can put their many skills to use serving the citizens of Illinois, and I applaud IDOT for making this extra effort to reach out to find qualified veterans to fill these very demanding and important jobs,” said IDVA Acting Director Tammy Duckworth. “There are many great career opportunities for veterans in state government, and this is one that many veterans are extremely well-suited for.”

“We know that our veterans have risked their lives overseas to protect our way of life and keep our homeland safe,” said IDOT Secretary Timothy W. Martin. “We want them to know there are also well-paying opportunities for them to serve right here at home, keeping our roads clear and safe for motorists. These are tough, demanding, dangerous jobs. But anyone who has risked their life serving in Baghdad, should be able to handle working as a Highway Maintainer on the Dan Ryan, Kennedy, Ike or Stevenson expressways.”

IDVA will make applications and information about the jobs available at its Veterans Services Offices in Cook County and the surrounding area and will also work with state commanders of veterans’ organizations to make their members aware of these opportunities.

The starting salary for Highway Maintainers is $3,750 per month; for the ETP Spanish Speaking position, which is also technically a Highway Maintainer, the salary is $4,028 per month. Applications should be submitted to the state's hiring agency, the Department of Central Management Services (CMS), where applicants will also complete Civil Service testing. Applicants are encouraged to apply by February 15 as IDOT expects to begin the hiring and interview process for these positions at this time.

The main requirement for both Highway Maintainer and Highway Maintainer/Emergency Traffic Patrol jobs is possession of an Illinois Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License, with endorsements for tankers and non-restricted air-brakes, and a good driving record for the last year.

Highway Maintainers work out of IDOT maintenance yards and are required to drive and operate heavy duty maintenance trucks, plows and salt spreaders, tractors, mowers, pavement marking equipment and other heavy equipment, and to perform arduous manual labor. They are responsible for cleaning and clearing right-of-ways along IDOT highways and roads and for patching and repairing roads and bridges as needed.

ETP workers drive heavy-duty, bright yellow tow trucks on patrol along Chicago area expressways. They are responsible for providing roadside assistance to motorists and deal with a range of traffic emergencies – anything from minor fender benders to major crashes involving semi-trucks.

Interested candidates for both jobs must take the Highway Maintainer test with CMS in order to be placed on a list of eligible candidates. Having a Commerical Driver’s License is required to take the test. Qualified veteran applicants with an "A" grade on their Civil Service test are considered top candidates for open positions.

Information about the testing process and applications are available online at: www.cms.illinois.gov, and in person at the James R. Thompson Center at 100 W. Randolph, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60601. Information may also be obtained by phone at 312-793-3565.

On an ongoing basis, officials from CMS' Veterans Outreach Program provide professional counseling to Illinois' veterans about how to obtain state employment. Through the past year, these officials have attended 25 job fairs and counseled nearly 500 veterans. Interested veterans may learn more about the program or to begin the process of state employment by calling 1-800-643-8138.