Job Description
Full job description
Performs various blacksmith and welding activities in the maintenance of rail vehicle equipment.
Qualifications
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Welds, cuts, forges, heats, shapes and bends ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Tempers and dresses tool; fabricates and repairs springs involving tempering, potting, case and dichloride hardening.
Operates furnaces, bulldozers, forging machines, drop-forging machines, belt machines hammers and induction heaters.
Performs heavy forging, forms heavy plates, links and rings, makes tools and tempers and heat treats new tools.
Performs electric arc welding, carbon arc welding, cutting and melting, acetylene welding, tungsten (non-consumable) inert gas welding and metal (consumable) inert gas welding.
Performs brazing operations on silver and brass and welding operations on stainless steel and aluminum.
Takes accurate measurements as required and reads and interprets blueprints and schematic drawings.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
Job Title
CHALLENGES
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Must have a minimum of five-(5) year’s verifiable trade experience in a recognized shop.
Required to submit to and pass drug and ******* testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration.
Required to pass a physical examination.
Required to perform the physical activities associated with this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Required to be standing operating hydraulic press, walking to and from within work area and sitting at welding table to weld small parts.
Required to lift raw materials, (up to 100 lbs.), carrying sheet of steel, converter housing, pushing welding machine, torch cart and pulling welding machine, torch cart and air hose.
Required to climb ladders, pit stairs, scaffolding and balancing while climbing ladders and stairs.
Required to stoop to repair rail car and non-revenue equipment floors, to retrieve broken parts, to kneel, to crouch and to craw to repair underneath rail car.
Required to reach to retrieve radiance rods, small work tools and to hand burning or cutting torch, hammers, goggles and helmets.
Required to finger and to feel surface of a piece to be welded.
Required to talk and to hear to co-workers and team work jobs, while performing teamwork jobs, giving instruction and observing surface prior to repair.
Required to see and to be acute near and far to read blueprints and schematic drawings, while doing lay-out work, to observe surface prior to repair and to see dangerous situations in shop area and color vision while examining welding jobs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of blacksmith and welding techniques.
Must possess a thorough knowledge of the techniques and operations employed in the brazing of silver and brass.
Must have a thorough knowledge of the techniques and operations employed in the welding of stainless steel and aluminum.
Must have a practical knowledge of arithmetic operations, including fractions, decimals and percentages.
Required to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to use power operated and hand tools including mechanical cutting machines, hydraulic press and electrical welding machines.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Usual blacksmith/welder shop conditions.
Subject to sparks from grinding metal, torches, oxygen tanks and chemical baths.
Occasionally works on rail cars and non-revenue equipment parked in the yards inside or outside.
Works under extreme cold outside on rail cars and non-revenue equipment doing repair in winter months.
Works under extreme heat inside welding underneath equipment.
Works outside in wet, humid conditions during raining periods,
Subject to vibration and noisy conditions from equipment and tools.
Subject to atmospheric conditions such as: welding fumes, burning rubber, odors from welding rod, dust from shop floors and equipment, and various gases.
May work at various heights on top of scaffolding and ladders.
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED
Additional Details
Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.
Rate to be determined by applicant's entered service date and service date in union jurisdiction of this classification.
CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ****** orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.
TO BE CONSIDERED APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN THEIR ENTIRETY INCLUDING:
UPLOADED RESUME / WORK HISTORY
QUALIFICATIONS
JOB ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
INFORMATION PROVIDED MUST BE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL.
Failure to respond to correspondences during the hiring process in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.
CTA Benefits
https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/
Primary Location: USA-Illinois-Skokie
Job: Rail Maintenance
Job Posting: Jul 25, 2026, 12:00:00 AM
Position Type: Full-time Temporary (FTT)
Performs various blacksmith and welding activities in the maintenance of rail vehicle equipment.
Qualifications
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Welds, cuts, forges, heats, shapes and bends ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Tempers and dresses tool; fabricates and repairs springs involving tempering, potting, case and dichloride hardening.
Operates furnaces, bulldozers, forging machines, drop-forging machines, belt machines hammers and induction heaters.
Performs heavy forging, forms heavy plates, links and rings, makes tools and tempers and heat treats new tools.
Performs electric arc welding, carbon arc welding, cutting and melting, acetylene welding, tungsten (non-consumable) inert gas welding and metal (consumable) inert gas welding.
Performs brazing operations on silver and brass and welding operations on stainless steel and aluminum.
Takes accurate measurements as required and reads and interprets blueprints and schematic drawings.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to this position are the following jobs:
Job Title
CHALLENGES
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Must have a minimum of five-(5) year’s verifiable trade experience in a recognized shop.
Required to submit to and pass drug and ******* testing as mandated by the Federal Transportation Administration.
Required to pass a physical examination.
Required to perform the physical activities associated with this position.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Required to be standing operating hydraulic press, walking to and from within work area and sitting at welding table to weld small parts.
Required to lift raw materials, (up to 100 lbs.), carrying sheet of steel, converter housing, pushing welding machine, torch cart and pulling welding machine, torch cart and air hose.
Required to climb ladders, pit stairs, scaffolding and balancing while climbing ladders and stairs.
Required to stoop to repair rail car and non-revenue equipment floors, to retrieve broken parts, to kneel, to crouch and to craw to repair underneath rail car.
Required to reach to retrieve radiance rods, small work tools and to hand burning or cutting torch, hammers, goggles and helmets.
Required to finger and to feel surface of a piece to be welded.
Required to talk and to hear to co-workers and team work jobs, while performing teamwork jobs, giving instruction and observing surface prior to repair.
Required to see and to be acute near and far to read blueprints and schematic drawings, while doing lay-out work, to observe surface prior to repair and to see dangerous situations in shop area and color vision while examining welding jobs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of blacksmith and welding techniques.
Must possess a thorough knowledge of the techniques and operations employed in the brazing of silver and brass.
Must have a thorough knowledge of the techniques and operations employed in the welding of stainless steel and aluminum.
Must have a practical knowledge of arithmetic operations, including fractions, decimals and percentages.
Required to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to use power operated and hand tools including mechanical cutting machines, hydraulic press and electrical welding machines.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Usual blacksmith/welder shop conditions.
Subject to sparks from grinding metal, torches, oxygen tanks and chemical baths.
Occasionally works on rail cars and non-revenue equipment parked in the yards inside or outside.
Works under extreme cold outside on rail cars and non-revenue equipment doing repair in winter months.
Works under extreme heat inside welding underneath equipment.
Works outside in wet, humid conditions during raining periods,
Subject to vibration and noisy conditions from equipment and tools.
Subject to atmospheric conditions such as: welding fumes, burning rubber, odors from welding rod, dust from shop floors and equipment, and various gases.
May work at various heights on top of scaffolding and ladders.
EQUIPMENT, TOOLS, AND MATERIALS UTILIZED
Additional Details
Employees and/or union members will be given priority consideration in the hiring process, per the applicable labor contracts.
Rate to be determined by applicant's entered service date and service date in union jurisdiction of this classification.
CTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ****** orientation, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, disability or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws; except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for our workforce and supporting the communities we serve. CTA will make reasonable accommodations for the known disabilities of otherwise qualified applicants for employment as well as its employees, unless undue hardship would result. If you require an accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact arc@transitchicago.com prior to the submission of your application or upon notification of your actual test date. CTA will work with you to determine if an accommodation can be provided.
TO BE CONSIDERED APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN THEIR ENTIRETY INCLUDING:
UPLOADED RESUME / WORK HISTORY
QUALIFICATIONS
JOB ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
INFORMATION PROVIDED MUST BE ACCURATE AND TRUTHFUL.
Failure to respond to correspondences during the hiring process in a timely fashion may result in your application being closed out for non-responsiveness.
CTA Benefits
https://www.transitchicago.com/hrbenefits/
Primary Location: USA-Illinois-Skokie
Job: Rail Maintenance
Job Posting: Jul 25, 2026, 12:00:00 AM
Position Type: Full-time Temporary (FTT)
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Blacksmith & Welder (Skokie) position is now open for candidates interested in the Labour/Helper Jobs sector. This role in Chicago offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Labour/Helper Jobs is a plus.
