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How to hire a builder operator

Builder operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring builder operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a builder operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new builder operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a builder operator, step by step

To hire a builder operator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a builder operator:

Here's a step-by-step builder 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 builder operator job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new builder operator
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

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

    Hiring the perfect builder operator 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 builder operators and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Builder OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Builder OperatorGeneral maintenance and repair workers fix and maintain machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings. They paint, repair flooring, and work on plumbing, electrical, and air-conditioning and heating systems.$13-22
    HandymanA handyman can perform various repair and maintenance tasks involving electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and even appliance installation. Most handymen work independently, but they can also choose to be part of a company... Show more$15-29
    Maintenance EngineerA maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments... Show more$13-35
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • HVAC
    • Building Maintenance
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Plumbing
    • Life Safety Systems
    • General Maintenance
    • Building Systems
    • Emergency Situations
    • Building Automation
    • Electrical Systems
    • Mechanical Systems
    • Electrical Equipment
    • Cooling Towers
    • Snow Removal
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Modify existing client websites with new HTML and CSS to achieve stakeholder requirements.
    • Receive and coordinate service calls from customers to close out CMMS work orders.
    • Repair and adjustment of plumbing systems, drain lines, sprinkler systems, etc.
    • Assess current conditions of electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and other essential utilities and equipment.
    • Perform repairs to the HVAC systems including, system troubleshooting, motor replacements, bearing replacements and control applications.
    • Perform oversight inspections daily on ammunition.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your builder operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A builder operator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, builder operators' average salary in new mexico is 45% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level builder operators earn 38% less than senior-level builder operators.
    • Certifications. A builder operator 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 builder operator's salary.

    Average builder operator salary

    $37,438yearly

    $18.00 hourly rate

    Entry-level builder operator salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 19, 2026
  4. Writing a builder operator job description

    A builder 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a builder operator job description:

    Builder operator job description example

    Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
    At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.

    We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.

    Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.

    We are looking for a Battery Build Operator to join our world-class team. Our ideal candidate exhibits a can-do attitude and approaches his or her work with vigor and determination.
    The Role:Use a range of hand tools in the assembly of battery pack modules.Operate assembly equipment including computer controlled gantries.Perform electrical tests.Retain confidentiality of testing, test procedures, and data at all times.Maintain cleanliness of lab space and inventory of parts.Work with others in a cross-functional environment and follow written & verbal instructions.
    Qualifications:At least 2-3 years of experience hand assembling electrical, electronic or mechanical assemblies Excellent attention to detail while following instructions Experience using hand tools Experience of using electrical test equipment such as volt meter, resistance testers Basic knowledge and proper handling of battery cells Familiarity with the safety aspect of batteries and battery testing Basic knowledge of excel and word programs
    Preferred:Understanding of electrical schematic & capability to create simple test boards Wire bonding experience Knowledge of G-code Experience building wire harnesses
    Education:AS or BS degree Certification in related field
    At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

    Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
    At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.

    Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.

    To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
  5. Post your job

    To find the right builder operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with builder operators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit builder operators who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your builder operator job on Zippia to find and recruit builder operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit builder operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 builder operator

    Once you've selected the best builder operator 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new builder operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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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How much does it cost to hire a builder operator?

Hiring a builder operator comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting builder operators involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of builder operator recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

Builder operators earn a median yearly salary is $37,438 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find builder operators for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $13 and $22.

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