How to hire a damage prevention specialist

How to hire a damage prevention specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step damage prevention specialist hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a damage prevention specialist, 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 damage prevention specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, damage prevention specialists 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 damage prevention specialists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Damage Prevention Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Damage Prevention Specialist	Fire inspectors examine buildings to detect fire hazards and ensure that federal, state, and local fire codes are met. Fire investigators determine the origin and cause of fires and explosions... Show more	$12-27

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Underground Utilities
   • Locates
   • Party Contractors
   • Damage Prevention
   • DPS
   • Safety Devices
   • Customer Service
   • DOT
   • Emergency Calls
   • Excavations
   • Underground Facilities
   • Fiber Optic
   • TV
   • Telephone Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Implement medically accurate, evidence base curriculum with the purpose of reducing teen pregnancy rates and behavioral risks underlying teen pregnancy.
   • Draft referrals to appropriate departments for SAR filing and further review/investigation.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, damage prevention specialists' average salary in florida is 61% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level damage prevention specialists 57% less than senior-level damage prevention specialists.
   • Certifications. A damage prevention specialist 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 damage prevention specialist's salary.

   Average damage prevention specialist salary

   $39,060yearly

   $18.78 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level damage prevention specialist salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a damage prevention specialist job description

   A job description for a damage prevention specialist 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 damage prevention specialist job description:

   Damage prevention specialist job description example

   OneVision Utility Services has been a top tier Damage Prevention and Locating service provider for many years. Our highly skilled workforce is dedicated to providing the best service this industry can offer. We represent our customers in a professional manner at all times and build good working relationships with all stakeholders. As a single service provider your facilities are our focus, serving your customers is our priority, and exceeding your expectations is our mission! OneVision is just that - a vision of integrity, of unparalleled service, and of being a true partner to our customers in every way!
   *Immediately hiring*
   
   Seeking experienced water/sewer/fiber Damage Prevention/Utility Locating technicians to work as Damage Prevention Technicians for the Gwinnett County Water Department.
   
   What You Will Do
   Responsibilities include reading and processing utility maps, working closely with the excavating community, advanced computer skills, experience with different types of locating equipment, and excellent communication skills. Must have at least 2 years verifiable locating experience, good work ethic, and demonstrate good decision making skills as well. Must be physically fit and able to report to work each day focused on the critical work we perform. Must have a clean driving record, pass a background check, and successfully pass a drug test. All employees are required to practice social distancing when in close proximity to anyone during the course of the work day.
   
   What You Will Earn
   $18hr and Up depending on Experience
   $.50 rate increases at 60 days and then 180 days
   
   Work Schedule
   Monday-Friday, 8 hour shift, On call, Holiday and Overtime needed
   
   Benefits Included
   Company Vehicle, Medical/Vision/Dental Plans, Simple IRA, Life Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays and many other benefits.
   
   Required Knowledge, Skills, and Attitude
   Valid driver's license in applicable state of employment.
   Must have locating experience, good work ethic, and demonstrate good decision-making skills as well. Must be physically fit and able to report to work each day focused on the critical work we perform.
   
   YOU MUST CURRENTLY LIVE IN OR LIVE VERY CLOSE TO THE GWINNETT COUNTY GEORGIA AREA TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION.
   
   COVID-19 Precautions
   Social distancing guidelines in place
   Our industry requires all candidates to have a valid driver's license and pass a pre-employment drug screen and a 7-year background check.
   
   Here at OneVision we are doing our due diligence when it comes to keeping our workers protected and we have safety protocols in place to help keep all of our employees as safe as possible.
   
   EEO Statement
   OneVision Utility Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing a workplace free of any discrimination or harassment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right damage prevention specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with damage prevention specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit damage prevention specialists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your damage prevention specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit damage prevention specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with damage prevention specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 damage prevention specialist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the damage prevention specialist 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 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 damage prevention specialist 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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