How to hire a distillation operator

How to hire a distillation operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The distillation operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A distillation operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, distillation 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.

   This list presents distillation operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Distillation Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Distillation Operator		$12-28
   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
   Washer Operator	A washer operator is tasked with operating laundry machines. They operate and tend to washing machines, dry-cleaning machines, and dryers that, in turn, take care of household or industrial articles... Show more	$12-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Distillation
   • Hazardous Waste
   • Process Equipment
   • GC
   • RAN
   • PLC
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Laboratory Analysis

   Responsibilities:

   • Help lead the rehabilitation of an idle distillation tower and bring it back to a fully functional operation.
   • Operate a cold gas distillation column converting waste gas into usable material by separating materials and reacting with caustic.
   • Conduct routine operating inspections of the unit, troubleshoot operational problems and respond to area emergencies or to changing operational situations.
   • Perform Lockout/tagout procedures to ensure ADM and contractors safety.
   • Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, distillation operators' average salary in florida is 24% less than in illinois.
   • Seniority. Entry-level distillation operators earn 56% less than senior-level distillation operators.
   • Certifications. A distillation 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 distillation operator's salary.

   Average distillation operator salary

   $39,855yearly

   $19.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level distillation operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a distillation operator job description

   A distillation 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 distillation operator job description:

   Distillation operator job description example

   Distillation Operator IinHenderson, COatVeolia North America
   
   **Date Posted:** 9/17/2022
   
   **Job Snapshot**
   
   + **Employee Type:** Full-Time
   
   + **Location:** Henderson, CO
   
   + **Job Type:** Other
   
   + **Experience:** Not Specified
   
   + **Date Posted:** 9/17/2022
   
   **Job Description**
   
   Company Description
   
   Veolia is the world's leading environmental services company with ~179,000 employees globally and a 160-year history. We help our customers address their environmental and sustainability challenges in energy, water and waste. That means improving our clients' energy efficiency, better managing their water and wastewater, and recovering resources from their wastes. We do this in a safe, cost-effective and innovative manner for cities, governments, campuses, businesses, and industries.
   
   Job Description
   
   Distillation Operator
   
   Henderson, CO
   
   $21-23/hr
   
   Responsible for processing a variety of bulk and liquid waste through the operation of thin film evaporators and pot stills resulting in the best possible recovery of customers' hazardous and non-hazardous materials in accordance with regulatory and company requirements.
   
   1. Run distillation units by connecting feed, product, and sludge tanks and apply proper amount of heat from boilers and maintain operating hourly logs to insure that unit is operating at peak efficiency
   
   2. Charge and discharge pot stills with appropriate gallon amounts of liquid to run product to
   
   specifications.
   
   3. Perform compatibility testing on a variety of hazardous materials to be mixed for recovery to insure that mixtures are in compliance with recovery specifications.
   
   4. Retrieve clean tank recovery samples and route to laboratory along with appropriate paperwork to ascertain the quality of recovery.
   
   5. Load, unload, and sample bulk tankers and/or drums to ascertain accuracy of hazardous materials contents prior to applying the recovery process.
   
   6. Operate and maintain all equipment in a professional manner to insure optimum efficiency and effectiveness to completion of project(s) in a timely manner.
   
   7. Non-Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   8. Other duties as assigned.
   
   Qualifications
   
   ● High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED) preferred
   
   ● Prior work experience in the hazardous waste/related industry required
   
   ● Strong team player
   
   ● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
   
   ● Time management: the ability to organize and manage multiple deadlines
   
   ● Computer proficiency
   
   ● OSHA HAZWOPER training
   
   Additional Information
   
   **About Veolia:**
   
   Veolia offers the most complete range of environmental solutions to meet the challenges of cities, governments, campuses, businesses and industries. Our network of talent and hands-on know-how is unique and unrivaled.
   
   We help our customers address their environmental and sustainability challenges in energy, water and waste. That means improving our clients' energy efficiency, better managing their water and wastewater, and recovering resources from their wastes. We do this in a safe, cost-effective and innovative manner for more than 550 communities and more than 30,000 businesses, campuses and organizations throughout North America.
   
   **_We are an Equal Opportunity Employer!_**
   
   **_All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status._**
   
   As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.
   
   We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with distillation operator 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 distillation operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect distillation 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 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new distillation operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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