How to hire a dam operator

How to hire a dam operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a dam 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

   A dam operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dam operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of dam operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Dam Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Dam Operator		$11-24
   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:

   • GRASS
   • Emergency Situations
   • Commodities
   • Plumbing
   • Slings
   • Hand Signals
   • Imts
   • Lock Chamber
   • Site Safety
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Mowing
   • Lpms
   • Cranes
   • Mooring Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Achieve qualification as IMTS certify lock operator.
   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Perform grounds keeping such as mowing, trimming, weed control.
   • Use of the LPMS system to monitor lake and water levels.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, dam operators' average salary in florida is 49% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dam operators earn 52% less than senior-level dam operators.
   • Certifications. A dam 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 dam operator's salary.

   Average dam operator salary

   $16.81hourly

   $34,962 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dam operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a dam operator job description

   A dam 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 dam operator job description:

   Dam operator job description example

   **Freeport-McMoRan** is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. We operate large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum. The company has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry. Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers, the world's largest producer of molybdenum and a significant gold producer. We have a long and successful history of conducting our business in a safe, highly efficient and socially-responsible manner.
   
   We have the assets, the talent, the drive and the financial strength to provide attractive and rewarding careers of our employees. We encourage you to take the time to explore the opportunity to advance your career at Freeport-McMoRan.
   **Description**
   
   Semi-skilled employees who operate at least one material handling system in the production process, such as conveyors, transfer chutes, flow systems, and flotation/grind mills. Employees will work under minimal supervision in environments where the primary objective is safe production.
   
   + Perform area housekeeping to include tasks such as shoveling, using fire hose, and digging
   
   + Operation/control of processing equipment per operating guidelines
   
   + Operation of mobile equipment
   
   + Equipment monitoring via computer and data entry via computer
   
   + Identify and report machinery maintenance needs
   
   + Perform other tasks as assigned
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Minimum Qualifications**
   
   + Six (6) months of experience in the trade
   
   + Experience with material handling equipment
   
   **Preferred**
   
   + High School diploma or GED
   
   + Experience operating dozers, excavators, motor graders, water trucks, and/or haul trucks
   
   + Experience operating mobile cranes and boom trucks
   
   + Rigging experience
   
   + HDPE pipe handling experience
   
   **Criteria/Conditions**
   
   + Ability to understand and apply verbal and written work and safety-related instructions and procedures given in English
   
   + Ability to communicate in English with respect to job assignments, job procedures, and applicable safety standards
   
   + Must be able to work in a potentially stressful environment
   
   + Personal protective equipment is required on a regular basis, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and, as needed: respirator, rubber steel-toed boots, gloves, fall protection, protective clothing, goggles, face shield and other protective equipment as required
   
   + Employee may be required to work in environments that may include exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, noise, fumes, and gasses
   
   + While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, work on uneven work surfaces and work on elevated platforms
   
   + Frequently may be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds during the course of the work day
   
   + May be required to work a non-standard schedule which may include shift work (other than day shift) in a 24/7/365 operation
   
   + Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going random drug testing as allowed by state laws
   
   Freeport-McMoRan has reviewed the jobs at its various office and operating sites and determined that many of these jobs require employees to perform essential job functions that pose a direct threat to the safety or health of the employees performing these tasks or others. Accordingly, the Company has designated the following positions as safety-sensitive:
   
   + Site-based positions, or positions which require unescorted access to site-based operational areas, which are held by employees who are required to receive MSHA, OSHA, DOT, HAZWOPER and/or Hazard Recognition Training; or
   
   + Positions which are held by employees who operate equipment, machinery or motor vehicles in furtherance of performing the essential functions of their job duties, including operating motor vehicles while on Company business or travel (for this purpose "motor vehicles" includes Company owned or leased motor vehicles and personal motor vehicles used by employees in furtherance of Company business or while on Company travel); or
   
   + Positions which Freeport-McMoRan has designated as safety sensitive positions in the applicable job or position description and which upon further review continue to be designated as safety-sensitive based on an individualized assessment of the actual duties performed by a specifically identified employee.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability
   
   **Nearest Major Market:** Tucson
   
   **Job Segment:** Data Entry, Administrative

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find dam 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 dam operator job on Zippia to find and recruit dam operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit dam 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.

   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 dam operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect dam operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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 dam 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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