How to hire a bridge operator

How to hire a bridge operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bridge operator hiring guide:

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

Post a bridge operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the bridge operator you need to hire. Certain bridge operator 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

   A bridge operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bridge operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents bridge operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Bridge Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Bridge Operator		$12-24
   Dam Operator	A dam operator is primarily responsible for overseeing dam operations. Although their tasks may vary upon their place or company of employment, it usually includes monitoring dam water levels, gathering and analyzing data, conducting assessments and regular maintenance checks, planning actions thoroughly, adjusting machines as necessary, and delegating responsibilities among staff, solving issues and concerns when any arise... Show more	$11-24
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Technical Support
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Bridge Operations
   • Boats
   • Autocad
   • Video Conferences
   • MCU
   • Event Management
   • US Coast Guard
   • VTC
   • Two-Way Radio
   • VHF

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Trouble shoot and resolve conferencing issues for schedule and manage videoconferencing customers.
   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Provide technical and operational guidance and direction to the DOD customer in establishing and operating video teleconferencing systems.
   • Used AutoCAD to draft bridges after design are completed.
   • Perform daily testing and preventive maintenance on Polycom VTC systems.
   • Assist the client with solving complex network solutions involving both ATM and IP integration.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bridge operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A bridge operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, bridge operators' average salary in florida is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level bridge operators 50% less than senior-level bridge operators.
   • Certifications. A bridge operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a bridge operator's salary.

   Average bridge operator salary

   $35,545yearly

   $17.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bridge operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a bridge operator job description

   A bridge operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a bridge operator job description:

   Bridge operator job description example

   Operate and maintain bridges to ensure the safe passage of water traffic and trains. Employees must be able to meet and comply with the manufacturer's weight limitation safety rating and recommendations for any equipment associated with performing their duties, including the 300 lb. safety rating for ladders (both portable and affixed) and fall arrest equipment.
   Primary Activities and Responsibilities
   
   * Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
   * Observe and receive signals from approaching vessels
   * Communicate with train dispatchers and vessel operators using two-way radio and telephone
   * Operate automatic and semi-automatic equipment to open and close bridges
   * Record time, direction, and name of vessels passing through opening
   * Document and record preventive maintenance histories
   * Inspect drawbridge, track, passing railcars and auxiliary equipment for defects and debris
   * Perform routine maintenance and repairs on bridge operating parts and equipment and prepare summaries on repairs
   * Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
   
   Pay Rate
   
   Entry Rate
   
   First Year - $27.21/hour
   
   Second Year - $28.72/hour
   
   Third Year - $30.23/hour
   
   Training
   
   You will attend two weeks of training at the Railroad Education & Development Institute in Atlanta, GA. CSX will pay for travel, lodging and meals as required by collective bargaining agreement
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   * High School Diploma/GED
   * 18 years of age or older
   * Valid Driver's License
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   * Construction experience with basic carpentry skills
   * Mechanical experience repairing equipment
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Medium work, depending on location, lifting up to 50 pounds
   * Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb on an occasional basis
   * Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
   
   Basic Competencies
   
   * Verbal comprehension (Understand oral and written communications - both general and technical)
   * Communication skills (provide clear instructions/directions)
   * Reasoning skills (problem solving and troubleshooting skills)
   * Basic Math
   
   Job Requirements
   
   * Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
   * Wear protective equipment such as fall protection, hard hat, hearing protection, safety-toe boots and safety glasses
   * Work hours may include a nonstandard workweek, overtime, and various shift work
   * Complete annual training and pass safety and track worker rules examinations
   * Work outside in all weather conditions at elevated heights and/or over water
   * Must successfully pass probationary period
   * Must pass all required assessments
   * Must pass a background screening
   * Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test
   * This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement and membership is req.
   * Required to maintain this position for 6 months before bidding

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find bridge operators 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 bridge operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level bridge operators 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 bridge operator job on Zippia to find and recruit bridge operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with bridge operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 bridge operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect bridge operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new bridge operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a bridge operator?