City of Decatur, IL

Salary: $27.94 Hourly
Location : Water Treatment Plant, IL
Job Type: Full-Time Benefited Employee
Job Number: 18-00438
Department: Public Works - Union
Division: Water Production - Union
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 11:59 PM Central
Job Summary
Starting pay: $27.94
Increases to: $30.47 after six months
Keep Decatur's water flowing. As a Maintenance Technician I in the Public Works Department, you'll put your mechanical and electrical skills to work keeping the City's water treatment equipment, pumps, and facilities running safely and reliably. From troubleshooting mechanical failures and rewiring control panels to welding components and tracking down plumbing leaks, every day brings a different challenge.
This is hands-on, skilled trade work with a direct impact on the community. You'll work independently and as part of an experienced crew with strong supervisory support and the stability of a long-term public service career. If you're a hands-on problem solver who takes pride in keeping critical infrastructure running, your skills can make a difference.
Enjoy a generous benefits package including:

• 14.5 paid holidays (including 2 personal days), paid vacation and sick leave, excellent health insurance, and a strong retirement pension plan.
• A dedicated health center offering free check-ups, chronic care, bloodwork, immunizations, and many free prescriptions for employees and their dependents.

Working hours for this position are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Maintenance Technician I is a full-time position with a six-month probationary period.
Key Responsibilities
Equipment & Facility Maintenance

• Troubleshoot, repair, install, and maintain complex water treatment equipment, processes, and facilities.
• Replace bearings, seals, packing, and shafts, adjust or replace machine belts, grease bearings, change oil and filters, and perform related preventive maintenance.
• Clean and properly maintain tools, equipment, and work areas.

Electrical, Mechanical & Welding Repairs

• Perform electrical work and welding on mechanical components and equipment.
• Install electrical wiring and controls.
• Repair or replace pumps and building heaters, and complete other mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic maintenance tasks.

Plumbing

• Make plumbing repairs, change water lines, and install new plumbing components.

Additional Responsibilities

• May work as a relief Water Plant Operator I on an intermittent basis.
• Perform related work and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills
Education & Certifications

• High school diploma or graduation from vocational school
• Completion of an approved apprenticeship in mechanical or electrical trades work, or a commercial/industrial maintenance certification
• Valid State of Illinois Class D driver's license, or equivalent

Experience

• Four years of experience in mechanical or electrical trades, or commercial/industrial maintenance work, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) experience
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Trade & Technical Expertise

• Well-versed in the practices, work methods, tools, and equipment used in mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and maintenance trades work.
• Skilled in arc, acetylene, and torch welding along with proper use and care of welding equipment.
• Able to apply necessary math skills to accurately perform assigned tasks.

Safety & Compliance

• Attentive to occupational hazards and safety precautions specific to these trades.
• Awareness of lockout/tagout safety procedures and practices.

Tools, Equipment & Technical Reading

• Proficient with standard maintenance tools and machine shop equipment.
• Able to read and interpret blueprints, schematic diagrams, and operation/maintenance manuals in print and electronic formats.
• Comfortable operating standard computer workstations and software.

Reliability & Teamwork

• Timeliness in responding to after-hours Water Production Division emergencies.
• Able to follow oral and written instructions closely
• Accurate in maintaining records, inventories, system logs, work orders, and related documentation.
• Effective working independently or as team member while maintaining accuracy, efficiency, and safety.

Sponsorship for Employment
The City of Decatur does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B). To be considered for regular employment with City of Decatur, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a continuous basis.
More Details
Examination Process
The examination process will consist of the components listed below. The combination of the written examination and oral interview will constitute 100% of the final examination score.

• Written Examination - Applicants will be required to take a written examination tailored to this position. Applicants are required to score at least 70.00%.
• Oral Interview - Applicants passing the written test must pass an oral interview with a minimum score of 70.00%.
• Veteran Points - Applicants passing the written test and oral interview may be eligible to receive 5.00 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
• Seniority Points - Applicable persons passing the written test and oral interview will receive 0.50 seniority preference points for each full year of continuous City of Decatur AFSCME service. A maximum of 10.0 points may be added to the final examination score.

The City of Decatur is a drug-free workplace. This includes marijuana. Candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen, physical exam, and background check post offer.
Residency
The Maintenance Technician I position is covered under the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) collective bargaining agreement. AFSCME employees shall reside within 50 miles of the corporate limits of City of Decatur. An appointee may reside outside said limits but must comply no later than 90 days after the completion of the probationary period.
About Decatur

• Central Illinois: Discover affordable living with easy access to Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
• Land of Lincoln: Explore Abe's legacy with visits to nearby Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Lincoln's Tomb, and the family's first Illinois home.
• Shopping and Dining: Browse locally owned boutiques and specialty shops and savor diverse delights at unique restaurants and quaint eateries.
• Entertainment Abounds: Enjoy concerts at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, performing arts at Millikin University, and shows in the historic Lincoln Theatre downtown.
• Outdoor Recreation: Revel in Lake Decatur with boating and kayaking or explore the City's 2,000 acres of parkland for golfing, walking, biking, dog exercising, or playing disc golf.
• Enriched by Art: Appreciate murals gracing city walls and sculptures stretching from the Scovill Zoo to the Children's Museum.
• Family Fun: Cool off at Splash Cove waterpark or head to Overlook Adventure Park for mini golf or the ropes course.

To Apply
Bring your trade experience and mechanicals abilities to our CIty of Decatur team. We're excited to review applications from skilled, safety-minded candidates ready to take on this rewarding Maintenance Technician I role. Submit your application today and take the next step toward a stable, hands-on career that makes a real difference in our community. Complete an application at the link below with all requested relevant information. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
SICK LEAVE: 1 day per month granted, accumulative to 240 days.
VACATION: 10 days after 1 year of service; 15 days after 7 years of service; 20 days after 14 years of service; 25 days after 20 years of service; 1 additional duty day per year after 25 years of service (to a maximum of 30 duty days)
HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day Labor Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday Veterans Day
Presidents' Day Thanksgiving Day
Good Friday Day After Thanksgiving
Juneteenth Christmas Eve (half day)
Memorial Day Christmas Day
Independence Day Two Unscheduled Holidays
PENSION: Employees of the City of Decatur contribute to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) at the rate of 4.5% per pay. The City of Decatur also contributes a percentage for the employee each pay. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement.
OTHER: The City offers a three-tier health insurance plan for employees and their dependents. Employees contribute toward the monthly premium for single coverage and/or family coverage through payroll deduction. The City provides group life insurance in the amount of $20,000 for each employee at no cost to the employee. Dependent coverage is offered. Employees may purchase additional term life on a voluntary basis.
Employees may also purchase additional term life insurance sponsored by IMRF. Employees may participate in a voluntary group dental and vision insurance plan. Deferred compensation is also available.
To learn more details click to view AFSCME Local 268 collective bargaining agreement.