How to hire a dock hand

How to hire a dock hand, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dock hand hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The dock hand 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 dock hand's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, dock hands 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.

   Here's a comparison of dock hand salaries for various roles:

   Type of Dock Hand	Description	Hourly rate
   Dock Hand	Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.	$12-19
   Mover	Movers help people take or move things from one place to another through their physical strength. They work manually to help customers in their businesses or homes... Show more	$12-20
   Warehouse Labour	Warehouse labour workers are responsible for organizing shipment details by processing the correct quantity of orders, ensuring that the items are free from any defects and mislabeling. Warehouse labourers prepare the items for packaging efficiently, update the inventory records, and escalate production discrepancy to the management for immediate resolution... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Boats
   • Customer Service
   • Unload Trailers
   • Load Trucks
   • RAN
   • General Maintenance
   • Pallet Jack
   • Kayaks
   • Mowing
   • Semi Trailers
   • Manual Labor
   • Rental Equipment
   • Boat Rentals
   • Customer Relations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Used an RF to scan merchandise.
   • Operate forklift to cross load LTL trucks.
   • Perform soldering and de-soldering of through hole and SMT components.
   • Track and place individual pieces of LTL freight in a warehouse setting.
   • Use basic multimeter skills to verify the components that have been place at SMT.
   • Used RF scanner, and scanning all items picking and stocking, help customers need, and maintain work area cleanliness ,

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, dock hands' average salary in louisiana is 44% less than in minnesota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dock hands earn 38% less than senior-level dock hands.
   • Certifications. A dock hand 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 dock hand's salary.

   Average dock hand salary

   $15.31hourly

   $31,840 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level dock hand salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a dock hand job description

   A dock hand 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 dock hand job description:

   Dock hand job description example

   *_Come Join Us By The Water!_*
   
   Bird Key Yacht Club is an exclusive private club that is looking for hospitality loving individuals to join our Team! We are currently in search of a qualified *Dock Hand* to join our team! All experience levels will be considered and the only requirement is a great attitude!
   
   We are offering an hourly base wage of $17-$19 per hour, which will be determined based on experience, paid weekly every Friday. We also offer flexible hours, free parking, Team Member meals, 401K, and health, vision, dental, and life insurance benefits for our full time Team Members.
   
   If this sounds like a great fit for you, or would like to learn more about joining the team at Bird Key Yacht Club, we look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity for an immediate interview for the right candidates!
   
   We look forward to hearing from you and have you join us for fun by the water!
   
   *Position*
   
   Dock Hand
   
   *Reports to*
   
   Facilities Manager
   
   *Supervises*
   
   No supervisory duties are included in this position.
   
   *Job Summary *
   
   Perform all duties and services required of dock personnel in a safe, courteous, efficient and professional manner at all times.
   
   *Job Tasks (Additional Responsibilities)*
   
   1. Provides assistance to members and guests in getting underway and mooring their boats in accordance with the rules and etiquette of good seamanship.
   
   2. Provides all services available in the normal operation of the harbor according to procedures prescribed by the Dock master, including boat washes, holding tank pump outs, fueling of boats, sales of merchandise and delivery of food, beverages and other merchandise.
   
   3. Continually observes, monitors and operates the club's bridges in an alert and safe manner, giving right-of-way to boats over pedestrians.
   
   4. Maintains the cleanliness of the entire harbor area including:
   
   ? Rubbish pick-up from containers as scheduled by the harbor master; and
   
   ? General policing of harbor areas.
   
   5. Reports any misconduct of members, guests or crew members taking place in the harbor areas or club grounds.
   
   6. Maintains the harbor tower in a neat, clean and orderly condition at all times.
   
   7. Operates the ship-to-shore radio equipment in accordance with rules and procedures set forth by the Federal Communications Commission.
   
   8. Uses club equipment (harbor carts, harbor slugs, hand carts, etc.) as needed.
   
   9. Attends meetings.
   
   10. Performs other appropriate tasks assigned by the Facilities Manager or Dock Master.
   
   11. Maintains the cleanliness and maintenance of the pool and tennis courts.
   
   12. Move and set up tables in the dining areas for Food & Beverage.
   
   13. Kayak Attendant.
   
   Job Type: Full-time
   
   Pay: $17.00 - $19.00 per hour
   
   Benefits:
   * 401(k)
   * 401(k) matching
   * Dental insurance
   * Flexible schedule
   * Health insurance
   * Life insurance
   * Paid time off
   * Referral program
   * Vision insurance
   Schedule:
   * 8 hour shift
   * Day shift
   * Holidays
   * Monday to Friday
   * On call
   * Overtime
   * Weekend availability
   Supplemental pay types:
   * Bonus pay
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right dock hand 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 dock hand job on Zippia to find and recruit dock hand candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with dock hand 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. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 dock hand

   Once you've decided on a perfect dock hand 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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