How to hire a bosun

How to hire a bosun, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bosun hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bosun job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bosun
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the bosun you need to hire. Certain bosun roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect bosun also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of bosuns and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Bosun	Description	Hourly rate
   Bosun	Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.	$10-58
   Mate	A Mate is the seafaring captain's assistant in charge of the ship's welfare and crew on board. The Chief Mate is responsible for leading the team... Show more	$10-31
   Cadet	A cadet is responsible for assisting police officers on their duties to keep the peace and order within the society. Cadets undergo training programs covering police officer disciplines and law enforcement procedures... Show more	$12-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Deck Equipment
   • General Maintenance

   Responsibilities:

   • Work closely with surveyors, clients and ROV supervisors to achieve safe and effective subsea operations.
   • Sustain superior performance, leadership, self-improvement, command and community involvement, self-expression, military bearing and appearance
   • Serve with responsibility for protecting the environment by ensuring the safe transfer of petrochemicals to vessel, dock, or barge.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bosun job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A bosun salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, bosuns' average salary in utah is 58% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bosuns earn 82% less than senior-level bosuns.
   • Certifications. A bosun with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a bosun's salary.

   Average bosun salary

   $52,884yearly

   $25.43 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bosun salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a bosun job description

   A job description for a bosun role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a bosun job description:

   Bosun job description example

   • Room and board when scheduled
   • Rotation schedule (6-8 weeks sailing with 2-3 weeks off)
   • Travel stipend
   • Uniforms included
   • Pro deals
   • Credential reimbursement (qualifications required)
   • Heath care benefits (once qualifications are met)

   JOB SUMMARY

   This position begins in shipyard (Seattle, WA) over the winter months prior to the summer 2023 Alaska Sailing Season.

   The Bosun is responsible for the care and maintenance of inflatable boats, rescue boat, and related gear such as outboard motors, tool kits, fuel, fuel tanks, collapsible anchors, and the crane used for raising/lowering the inflatable boats and kayaks. This position also assists with deckhand work. The Bosun reports to the 1st Mate and will assist company officers in communicating and enforcing all company policies and procedures. In addition to reporting to the 1st Mate, the Bosun also falls under the authority of any Officer of the Watch.

   QUALIFICATIONS

   • Excellent customer service skills: professional demeanor, ability to use necessary levels of tact and courtesy.
   • Must be professional and have the ability to present information and respond to questions.
   • Detail oriented and thorough: able to follow through on assigned tasks.
   • Work independently using initiative and creativity to complete assigned tasks.
   • Strong time management skills: able to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
   • Work well under pressure.
   • Able to get along well with co-workers.

   Required Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

   • Valid Passport
   • Covid vaccination with booster
   • CPR / First Aid / AED
   • Medical Certificate
   • USCG 25T Masters License (1)
   • Valid TWIC (2)
   • STCW Basic Training (3)
   • STCW Crowd Management (3)
   • VPDSD (3)

   1. Inland required for Alaska, Near Coastal required for Hawaii and Baja itinerary
   2. Required for all vessels
   3. Preferred

   ESSENTIAL DUTIES

   Small Boat Maintenance:

   • Perform routine upkeep and maintenance of the inflatable boats and rescue boat, and adhering to an outlined schedule on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Make repairs to equipment in a timely fashion, such as patching, replacing worn parts, varnishing wood, and replacing worn lines.
   • Coordinate necessary boat operation arrangements with the Captain, Expedition Leader, and Hotel Manager for various guest activities.
   • Operate the inflatable boats during small boat excursions.
   • Assist in training of new staff members in the proper operation of the inflatable boats.
   • Maintain up-to-date inventory of all small boat gear and equipment.
   • Oversee the fantail cleanup for pre-boarding of inflatable’s directing assigned deckhands.
   • Prepare the inflatable boats for guest boarding.
   • Prepare the inflatable boats for stowage following completion of the day’s excursions.

   Safety and Security:

   • Ensure the cleanliness and readiness of the rescue craft. Perform weekly test launching, running and raising to insure readiness in case of an emergency situation.
   • Fulfill Fire and Emergency Station Billet by acting as fire hose nozzle person donning full firefighting gear, and serving at the scene of the fire.
   • Follow company safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures.
   • Request supervisory assistance when necessary, regarding safety and pollution prevention policies and procedures.
   • Participate in on board safety training, meetings and drills, as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding and medical emergencies.
   • Participate in shore side training as required by the company.
   • Relieve and/or performs gangway watch as directed by the duty schedule.
   • Familiar with all duties under the company Safety Management System including Emergency Response Activities.

   PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

   • Covid-19 - Our crew and guests are fully vaccinated (including booster) prior to boarding the vessels. Masks are also required.
   • Length of Work Shift- Physically able to work 12 hours per day, 7 days a week for 6 to 8 weeks at a time. Rotations off the vessel are usually 2-3 weeks.
   • Mobility- Frequent bending, reaching, twisting, kneeling, crawling, and pushing/pulling. Must ascend and descend stairs and ladders, sometimes while carrying tools or objects. Able to stand or sit for long periods of time.
   • Handling/Strength- Able to handle, lift, and lower objects totaling 50 pounds between the ground/deck level to a height of about 4 to 6 feet, and able to repeat these movements. Able to carry these objects up to 100 feet continuously for 20 minutes.
   • Environmental Conditions- Able to work in all weather conditions, around loud noise, in small spaces, and fit through a 28-inch wide hatch.

   DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

   This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required or persons so classified or assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

   It is the policy of UnCruise Adventures not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, marital status, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or veteran status in its educational programs, activities, or employment as required by law.

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5. Post your job

   To find bosuns for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any bosuns they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bosuns with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bosun job on Zippia to find and recruit bosun candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit bosuns, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bosun

   Once you've selected the best bosun candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new bosun first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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