Hourly Rope Access Technician Jobs in Chicago, IL

About Team:
TEAM, Inc. is a global leader in integrated asset integrity solutions, offering high-quality inspection, heat treating, and specialized maintenance services to the refining, petrochemical, power, pipeline, aerospace, and other industrial sectors. We are committed to safety, innovation, and performance excellence-delivering services that ensure asset reliability and minimize downtime.
Position Overview:
TEAM is seeking an experienced, technically capable, and safety-focused Rope Access Level III Inspector to lead rope access operations and perform advanced inspections in the field. This role functions as both a worksite supervisor and technical resource, responsible for rigging oversight, rescue planning, and mentoring lower-level rope access team members. The ideal candidate holds multi-discipline inspection certifications (API, NDT, CWI, etc.) and has extensive experience managing rope access scopes in refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial environments.
Why Team:
• Excellent benefits, 401k match, paid vacation and holidays, overtime with full travel and per-diem paid.
• Work with top-tier equipment and support teams in a high-impact environment.
• Opportunities for training along with growth into other inspection or technical services, project management or leadership roles.
• A performance-driven, safety-first culture built on trust, teamwork, and technical excellence.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Serve as the on-site rope access team lead, overseeing all rigging, access, and descent/ascent activities per SPRAT or IRATA Level III standards.
• Perform complex inspections in elevated or confined locations using rope access techniques:
• Lead daily safety briefings, rescue planning, and job hazard analysis.
• Supervise and mentor Level I and Level II rope access personnel; ensure adherence to safe work practices.
• Interface with project managers, engineers, and client representatives to coordinate access plans and inspection deliverables.
• Execute or oversee installation of rope systems, anchors, lifelines, and safety zones according to industry and site-specific standards.
• Participate in and lead rescue scenarios and ensure rescue gear is maintained, staged, and ready for deployment.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, SPRAT/IRATA guidelines, and TEAM safety protocols.
• Review inspection data, provide QA/QC oversight, and assist in reporting and documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Multiple NDT Level II certifications or ASNT/PCN/CGSB equivalencies.
• API 510/570/653, CWI, AMPP or other advanced certifications.
• Radiation Safety Training / IRRSP or State Industrial Radiographer Card (if applicable to RT).
• Familiarity with digital reporting systems or NDT data software.
• Prior experience managing access scopes during shutdowns or turnarounds.
• Additional training in rescue coordination, rigging, or scaffold alternatives.
• Prior experience working in refineries, petrochemical plants, pipeline projects, or fabrication shops.
• Current TWIC, OSHA 10/30, or other industry-standard safety certifications.
• Previous experience supporting mechanical integrity or turnaround inspection programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for both technical and crew leadership tasks.
Required Qualifications:
• Valid SPRAT or IRATA Level III certification in good standing.
• 3-5+ years of field experience in industrial rope access operations.
• Demonstrated leadership ability in rigging, job planning, and worksite supervision.
• Familiarity with structural, piping, or pressure system configurations in industrial plants.
• Proven ability to operate under pressure and manage field teams safely and effectively.
• Physically fit for rope access work; able to pass fit-for-duty physicals and site-specific requirements.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background checks, TWIC, DISA, and site-specific onboarding.
• Strong work ethic with a safety-first mindset.
Physical and Mental Requirements:
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Sufficient personal mobility to maneuver in a standard, refinery or plant environment to include the ability to access elevated platforms via ladders and stairwells except when performing non-field duties.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits employees to communicate effectively.
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits employees to investigations.
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform routine office duties.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodations to perform office duties and travel when necessary to off-site locations.
• Ability to maintain focus and multitask with effective communication skills.
Work Conditions
• Position is based out of a TEAM field office or client site location.
• Field duties require indoor and outdoor work in a plant atmosphere.
• Interaction with other crew employees, as well as supervisors and client personnel.
• Working in plant and/or shop areas around production machinery with extreme noise levels.
• Able to wear safety equipment for any task and as required by the safety department for personal protection.
• May be at more than one job site in a day and must be able to tolerate climate changes.
• May be required to travel out of town on a periodic basis.
• Willingness and ability to work extended shifts, weekends, and alternative work schedules as required.
• Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, and in various environmental conditions.
This job description outlines the general tasks and work difficulty for the position but does not specify the exact duties and responsibilities of individual roles.
It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.
The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.
TEAM Industrial Services, Inc. strictly prohibits discrimination against applicants, employees, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.
TEAM's Core Values
Safety First / Quality Always - In everything we do
Integrity - Uncompromising standards of integrity and ethical conduct
Service Leadership - Leading Service Quality, professionalism and responsiveness
Innovation - Supports continuous growth and improvement
Pride and Respect - For our customers, for each other and for all our stakeholders
Teamwork - Global teamwork and collaboration
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.