How to hire a coal feeder operator

How to hire a coal feeder operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a coal feeder operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a coal feeder operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a coal feeder operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of coal feeder operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Coal Feeder Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Coal Feeder Operator	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$12-24
   Feeder	Feeders work on machines inside a factory, "feeding" or loading raw ingredients for the product they are supposed to make. They are typically also responsible for unloading the finished products... Show more	$11-19
   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:

   • Press RUN
   • Customer Specifications

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Drive a truck with a capacity of at least 80,000 GVW, to transport coal and rock in loose form.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, coal feeder operators' average salary in alabama is 37% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level coal feeder operators earn 50% less than senior-level coal feeder operators.
   • Certifications. A coal feeder 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 coal feeder operator's salary.

   Average coal feeder operator salary

   $36,017yearly

   $17.32 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level coal feeder operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a coal feeder operator job description

   A job description for a coal feeder operator 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 coal feeder operator job description:

   Coal feeder operator job description example

   1) Follows and adheres to all plant rules and plant safety rules.
   2) Quality – understands and follows all applicable Quality One Point Lessons.
   3) General Housekeeping
   4) Performs any combination of following tasks to assist OFFSET-PRESS OPERATOR to make ready, operate, and maintain sheet-fed printing press.
   5) Adjusts press machine parts, such as feeder and delivery mechanisms, suction grippers, guides, feed wheels, jogging device, tapes, and cams, as directed by OFFSET-PRESS OPERATOR, using hand tools.
   6) Positions skid of unprinted sheets on feed device of sheet-fed press, using hand truck. Make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
   7) Fills ink and dampening solution fountains of press. Monitors & records fountain solution pH + conductivity. Changes-out coating barrels and checks viscosity.
   8) Observes press operation to detect machine malfunctions and adjusts press or notifies OFFSET-PRESS OPERATOR when malfunction occurs.
   9) Removes loaded skid of printed material from stacking mechanism, using hand truck, and replaces loaded skid with empty skid.
   10) Assists OFFSET-PRESS OPERATOR to remove and replace worn rollers and adjust pressure between rollers of press, using hand tools.
   11) Washes press and cleans ink and ink distributing rollers and ink fountains, using ink solvent and cleaning mechanism on press.
   12) The Press Assistant/Feeder Operator is responsible for the tracking & documentation of Make Ready clean-virgin Waste; Damaged Waste; Sheet stock returns to the warehouse.
   13) Perform CILs (Clean Inspect Lubricate)
   14) Return stock to Warehouse.
   15) Understands the basics of the Press Room Utility Person role or is fully X-trained in that role.
   16) Any other tasks requested by the operator or Supervisor
   17) Lift up to 50lbs and may be standing for long periods of time
   • May be required to lift up to 50lbs.
   • May be exposed to high noise levels
   • Maintain a standing position for approx. 7 hours per day
   • Bending / Stretching / Reaching as needed
   Skills/Qualifications
   • High school diploma or GED
   • Press Room Experience preferred.
   
   Volt is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find coal feeder 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 coal feeder operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level coal feeder 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 coal feeder operator job on Zippia to find and recruit coal feeder operator 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 coal feeder operators, 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.

   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 coal feeder operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the coal feeder 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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.)

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