How to hire a chainman

How to hire a chainman, step by step

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Here's a comparison of chainman salaries for various roles:

   Type of Chainman	Description	Hourly rate
   Chainman	Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and make maps of the Earth’s surface. Surveying technicians visit sites to take measurements of the land... Show more	$20-50
   Instrument Operator	Instrument operators assist a construction or surveying crew in the assessment of topography. The operators provide assistance in clearing obstructions from any instrument... Show more	$13-29
   Land Survey Technician	A land survey technician is responsible for monitoring and inspecting different construction sites. Their job is to take measurements and gather other data... Show more	$14-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GPS
   • Construction Sites
   • Autocad
   • Boundary Surveys
   • Survey Equipment
   • Topo
   • EDM
   • Electronic Distance Measuring
   • Electronic Distance
   • Property Corners
   • Data Collection
   • Construction Layout
   • Property Lines
   • RAN

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform GPS staking of property corners and layouts for new construction, involving complex math and data collection.
   • Prepare and operate electronic distance-measuring instruments and GPS receivers.
   • Support ordnance excavations by mapping out anomalies within survey areas.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, chainmen' average salary in alaska is 44% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level chainmen earn 60% less than senior-level chainmen.
   • Certifications. A chainman 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 chainman's salary.

   Average chainman salary

   $67,333yearly

   $32.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level chainman salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

4. Writing a chainman job description

   A chainman 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 chainman job description:

   Chainman job description example

   **Strong communities don't just happen-they're built. They are creatively imagined, collaboratively planned, and readied to face tomorrow with optimism. We are driving the future of Community Development. Our experts lead their fields, collaborating on projects that are as technically challenging as they are impactful, creative, and fulfilling. We are a place where you can apply your passion-and find endless opportunities to help make communities more equitable, resilient, and livable.**
   **Your Opportunity**
   
   Stantec is looking for a Union Chainman to join our Community Development group. We provide our clients a full range of surveying and mapping services. Through our work, we define land boundaries and analyze spatial data.
   
   You will work with direct supervision and general direction on tasks and smaller projects, and as a team member of a larger project under the guidance of a Party Chief. You will perform land surveying, mapping and data collection activities.
   
   Applicant must be signatory to Local Union No. 12 in good standing.
   
   **Your Key Responsibilities**
   
   + Independently performs surveying assignments, making accurate measurements, and providing data relevant to the shape, contour, location, elevation and dimension of land or land features.
   
   + Operates and maintains instruments and measuring devices including levels, Trimble robotic total stations, GPS equipment and data collectors.
   
   + Transfers survey data to the proper files in the computer network and acquires data for field use.
   
   + Loads vehicles with tools and equipment, ensuring materials are loaded correctly.
   
   + Responsible for safe operation and maintenance of vehicles, tools, and equipment.
   
   + May assist in preparation of survey drawings using AutoCAD or GIS software.
   
   + Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Your Capabilities and Credentials**
   
   + Strong mathematical skills required
   
   + Good communication abilities required
   
   + Solid computer skills and basic understanding of Microsoft computer applications
   
   + Experience with field survey equipment required
   
   + Experience with CAD and survey software preferred
   
   + Valid driver's license and good driving record required as driving company vehicles is a requirement of the job.
   
   **Education and Experience**
   
   + Technical degree/diploma/certificate or equivalent in related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
   
   + Minimum of 3 years of experience preferred.
   
   + Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time.
   
   + Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.
   
   _This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice._
   
   Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other's talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.
   
   **Primary Location** : United States-California-Thousand Oaks
   
   **Job** : Union Chainman
   
   **Organization** : BC-2042 Community Development-US West
   
   **Employee Status** : Regular
   
   **Job Level** : Individual Contributor
   
   **Travel** : Yes, 10 % of the Time
   
   **Schedule** : Full-time
   
   **Job Posting** : Sep 30, 2022, 1:52:45 PM
   
   
   Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. EEO including Disability/Protected Veterans

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5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting chainmen 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 chainman

   Once you have selected a candidate for the chainman 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new chainman 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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