How to hire a computer systems operator

How to hire a computer systems operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a computer systems 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 computer systems 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 computer systems operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of computer systems operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Computer Systems Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Computer Systems Operator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$26-76
   Network Technician	A network technician is responsible for system malfunction diagnosis and troubleshooting operations. Network technicians duties' include repairing damaged system components, analyzing computer systems and blueprints, installing network connections, and upgrading accessories for efficient operations... Show more	$24-44
   Network Administrator	A network administrator is responsible for managing an organization's computer systems, ensuring its smooth operations and highest efficiency. Network administrators' duties include inspecting network malfunctions, troubleshooting unresponsive programs, improving system processes, analyzing client's specifications, upgrading existing applications, coordinating with the technology department, and creating a report of network issues resolutions... Show more	$26-43

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Switches
   • Customer Service
   • Unix
   • Troubleshoot
   • Remedy
   • DOD
   • Hardware Problems
   • Software Applications
   • Communications-Computer Systems
   • SCI
   • Peripheral Equipment
   • Trouble Tickets
   • Security Clearance
   • Solaris

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead successful domain migration including implementation of domain controller with DNS.
   • Prepare test environments and manage configurations for multiple servers and databases in VMware.
   • Manage the storage infrastructure for virtualization, high availability systems and data consolidation.
   • Interact with text-command-driven UNIX server for accounting and payroll files and records maintenance.
   • Operate PCs, mainframes, AlphaVAX & UNIX systems.
   • Create SQL script programs to troubleshoot system.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, computer systems operators' average salary in alaska is 60% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level computer systems operators earn 66% less than senior-level computer systems operators.
   • Certifications. A computer systems 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 computer systems operator's salary.

   Average computer systems operator salary

   $94,444yearly

   $45.41 hourly rate

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   Entry-level computer systems operator salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 18, 2026

4. Writing a computer systems operator job description

   A job description for a computer systems 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 computer systems operator job description:

   Computer systems operator job description example

   BAE Systems is seeking experienced Computer Systems Operators to support the Navy mission on the Combat Systems Support (CSS) contract at Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) Wallops Island Virginia. The SCSC is located on a barrier island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and is a tenant of the NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.SCSC provides live combat systems suites with platform specific radars and sensors and supports the following functions:combat system lifetime support engineering, platform certification, operational and technical evaluation, combat system training, interoperability testing and participates in at-sea exercises.SCSC provides a high-fidelity representative combat system of every ship in the AEGIS, Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) fleet today and those planned in the future.
   The selected candidate will:
   - Handle and control classified media and documents
   - Install software computers and combat systems equipment
   - Configure, light-off, initialization and set-up of Navy Combat Systems equipment in accordance with approved procedures
   - Conduct data recording activities on electronic equipment during and after mission events
   - Electronically transfer recorded data and media
   - Assess equipment and lab functionality
   - Provide effective customer service
   - Operate Navy tactical systems in accordance with provided procedures and under close supervision
   - Report the status of combat systems elements to SCSC government representatives
   
   This position is controlled by the Service Contract Act (SCA) and is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Standards Act (FLSA).
   
   Required Education, Experience, & Skills
   Minimum education and years of related work experience required: High School/GED and at least 2 years of experience loading and maintaining program/project documentation, initializing, operating, monitoring performance and reporting status on AEGIS Combat Systems.May be able to consider other multi-element complex commercial/defense computing systems in accordance with established procedures, but will be dependent upon type and level of experience and approval from government customer.May consider an Associate's Degree in a technical or computer related discipline in lieu of experience with AEGIS Combat Systems.
   
   Successful candidate must be willing and able to perform in a variety of 40 hour work-week configurations, including:
   1.Monday-Friday (5 x 8): 1st Shift
   2.Monday-Friday (5 x 8):2nd Shift
   3.Variable 4 x 10 shifts that may include weekends (4 days on/3 days off) and may be 1st or 2nd shift
   4.Sliding (5 x 8) work weeks (Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday) and may be 1st or 2nd shift
   **PLEASE NOTE - These work week configurations may be scheduled on a rotational basis
   
   Security Clearance Requirement: This position requires the successful candidate to be able to obtain a Secret level clearance.The criteria for obtaining and holding a clearance are driven by US government requirements.You must be a US citizen to obtain a security clearance.
   
   Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
   Highly desired, but not required:
   - Active DoD Secret security clearance
   - Military experience
   - Information Security Certifications
   - Experience with UNIX and Linux
   - Experience with ACCESS and TRMS
   
   About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.At BAE Systems, we celebrate the array of skills, experiences, and perspectives our employees bring to the table. For us, differences are a source of strength. We're laser-focused on high performance, and we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where all employees can innovate and thrive. Here, you will not only build your career, but you will also enjoy work-life balance, uncover new experiences, and collaborate with passionate colleagues.

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find computer systems 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.

   To find computer systems operator candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit computer systems 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.

   Sometimes, it's not enough to interview computer systems operator candidates, so you can ask them to do a test project. If you are not a technical person and don't know what a test project should be, you can use these websites:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   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 computer systems operator

   Once you've selected the best computer systems 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.

   To prepare for the new computer systems operator 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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