How to hire a central station operator

How to hire a central station operator, step by step

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

Post a central station operator job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Hiring the perfect central station 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of central station operators.

   Type of Central Station Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Central Station Operator		$11-22
   Gas Engineer	A Gas Engineer specializes in installing, maintaining, and repairing gas systems and appliances in homes and business establishments. They typically travel to various locations, conduct inspections using detectors and other equipment, troubleshoot problems, replace or fix parts, and enforce safety protocols in case of emergencies... Show more	$30-67
   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:

   • Emergency Situations
   • Data Entry
   • Alarm Signals
   • Security Systems
   • Outbound Calls
   • Control Systems
   • Multi-Line Phone System
   • Law Enforcement Agencies
   • CCTV
   • Emergency Response
   • Computer System
   • Alarm Panels
   • Service Calls
   • EMS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • View and monitor outside and inside activity via CCTV system through digital and analog cameras.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Secure and control weapons and ammunition in security areas, and schedule and perform preventive and organizational maintenance on weapons.
   • Review, complete and file necessary documents to reserve training locations and ammunition requests.
   • Track and maintain SME, client, vendor and service dependency information.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, central station operators' average salary in louisiana is 29% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level central station operators 48% less than senior-level central station operators.
   • Certifications. A central station 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 central station operator's salary.

   Average central station operator salary

   $16.31hourly

   $33,919 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level central station operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a central station operator job description

   A central station 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 central station operator job description:

   Central station operator job description example

   Reports To: Central Station Supervisor
   
   Primary Functions: Security Central Station Monitoring
   
   Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   Monitors and responds appropriately to security system alarms and security access issues.
   Monitors all video recorders and internal and external security video cameras.
   Monitor the Kaba Maas Security Lock System by assigning combinations to staff and service personnel.
   Interact with vendors, branches, technical support departments and management to provide support and/or report routine preventive maintenance of security equipment per prescribed procedures.
   Monitor large volume telephonic security call center, dispatch and direct communications.
   Conduct monthly alarm test to all branch locations.
   Provide visitor information and coordinate visitor or vendor movement.
   Distribute keys, access cards and equipment to authorized users when directed.
   Report and place service related work orders for repair using automated software programs.
   Gathers information and writes reports.
   Incident processing and Everbridge notification operations.
   Perform other duties as assigned.
   Qualifications
   
   Education: High School graduate or equivalent.
   
   Creditable Experience in Lieu of Education: Not Applicable
   
   Experience/Skills: Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively and be able to remain calm and react appropriately in an emergency situation. Must have previous alarm monitoring experience. Must have no history of conviction for fraud or other criminal activity. Must obtain and maintain a valid security guard's license (Alaska Only). This position requires a valid driver's license, acceptable and insurable driving record, pre-employment and random drug testing. Basic knowledge of computer operations preferred.
   
   Tenure: Central Station Operator II, category 14 requires one year tenure in the Central Station Operator I position with successful completion of the Central Station Operator Level I certification and performance that meets or exceeds expectations. Central Station Operator III, category 13 requires one year tenure in the Central Station Operator II category 14 position with successful completion of the Advanced Operator Training Level and performance that meets or exceeds expectations. Senior Central Station Operator, category 12 requires one year tenure in the Central Station Operator III category 13 position with performance that meets or exceeds expectations.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   *AKUSA*

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find central station operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting central station operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 central station operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the central station operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new central station 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a central station operator?