How to hire a distribution system operator

How to hire a distribution system operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the distribution system operator you need to hire. Certain distribution system operator roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   Type of Distribution System Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Distribution System Operator	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.	$11-68
   Water Treatment Technician	Water treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels... Show more	$13-32
   Water Technician	Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more	$13-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Gauges
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • API
   • Storage Tanks
   • SCADA
   • Perform Routine Maintenance
   • Diesel Fuel
   • Tanker Truck
   • Fuel Operations
   • OMS
   • Bulk Storage
   • Fuel Samples

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Tabulate data and enter all events including problems into scanned PC database.
   • Train to perform IP functions and how to configure TCP/IP within the network.
   • Install, and operate natural gas, plumbing, water and wastewater treatment systems.
   • Preform real-time and before the fact studies to insure stability of the system and compliance to NERC standards.
   • Implement and develop supervisory control and data acquisition equipment and outage management systems, including AutoCAD and SCADA.
   • Operate and maintain all pneumatic, DDC and VAV heating and cooling systems.

   More distribution system operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, distribution system operators' average salary in idaho is 67% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level distribution system operators earn 83% less than senior-level distribution system operators.
   • Certifications. A distribution system 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 distribution system operator's salary.

   Average distribution system operator salary

   $58,785yearly

   $28.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level distribution system operator salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average distribution system operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$70,689	$34
   2	Rhode Island	$68,802	$33
   3	New Hampshire	$60,423	$29
   4	Pennsylvania	$59,962	$29
   5	Virginia	$59,475	$29
   6	Arizona	$58,184	$28
   7	Ohio	$55,877	$27
   8	Illinois	$52,432	$25
   9	Texas	$49,155	$24
   10	Florida	$41,573	$20
   11	Colorado	$39,246	$19
   12	Kansas	$35,619	$17
   13	Missouri	$35,095	$17
   14	New Mexico	$34,256	$16
   15	Utah	$31,960	$15

   Average distribution system operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Exelon	$91,467	$43.97	4
   2	Tucson Electric Power	$83,042	$39.92	1
   3	Salt River Project	$79,269	$38.11
   4	PPL	$77,554	$37.29	8
   5	Eversource Energy	$72,111	$34.67	24
   6	PNM Resources	$69,437	$33.38
   7	Walsingham Group	$66,719	$32.08
   8	UNS Energy	$64,040	$30.79
   9	Marin Water	$57,108	$27.46
   10	Maytag Aircraft Corporation	$52,470	$25.23
   11	Katmai Careers	$51,051	$24.54	2
   12	Amazon	$48,012	$23.08	167
   13	Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City	$40,986	$19.70	3
   14	State Of Florida	$33,736	$16.22	16
   15	My Florida Regional Mls	$33,323	$16.02
   16	Florida Department of Transportation	$32,118	$15.44
   17	City of Columbus	$31,786	$15.28
   18	City of Boulder	$31,566	$15.18	1
   19	FirstEnergy	$29,609	$14.24	6
   20	Bandera Electric Cooperative	$28,593	$13.75

4. Writing a distribution system operator job description

   A good distribution system operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a distribution system operator job description:

   Distribution system operator job description example

   Workers organizes and participates in conveys; dispatched vehicles; verifies logbooks; received and fills requests from authorized persons for motor support; and compiles time, mileage, and load data. Worker may operate vehicles such as the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Transport (HEMETT), Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), and Palletized Loading System (PLS) vehicles to include performing self-recovery operations. Truck Drivers are classified by type and the rated capacity of truck; drivers must possess the appropriate CDL classification for their job category, have attended a course regarding Ammo Awareness, as well as , one that certifies worker to transport Hazardous Materials (see classes under ECO and HAZMAT Technician) and have at a minimum, four (4) years like experience.

   Qualifications

   Qualifications must include HAZMAT endorsement, Class A CDL and X (Tanker) endorsements.

   Candidate must have Fort Hood Fuel Handling with HAZMAT Endorsement qualified or have the ability to complete the course requirements.

   You must be able to prioritize workload in order to maintain schedule on assigned projects. As well as be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

   Candidate must be able to deal with stressful situations while maintaining a professional attitude at all times.

   Must be able to work different shifts as required, be able to travel as needed, and be able to obtain and maintain security clearances and access as required by the contract.

   Working Conditions

   Candidate must be able to work in a maintenance environment; be willing to work in and around maintenance equipment, be subject to load noises, exhaust fumes, dust, and extreme weather conditions and be able to work all shifts as needed, shift times/work weeks may be altered to meet customer requirements with minimum amount of notification.

   Physical Requirements

   Candidate must be able to safely move about in a maintenance environment and be able to sit, stand, squat, walk, and talk for extended periods during shift.

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right distribution system operator for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your distribution system operator job on Zippia to find and recruit distribution system operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with distribution system 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.

   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 distribution system operator

   Once you've selected the best distribution system 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new distribution system 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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