How to hire an electric operator

How to hire an electric operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step electric operator hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your electric operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an electric operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   An electric operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, electric 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 shows salaries for various types of electric operators.

   Type of Electric Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Electric Operator	Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.	$12-29
   Control Room Operator	A control room operator is a professional who works in the control room of a power plant to monitor the operations of the plant as well as ensures that everything is properly working. By using computer controls, control room operators must monitor and maintain plant equipment and indicators for proper operation... Show more	$14-29
   Power Plant Operator	A power plant operator is primarily in charge of controlling and maintaining machinery that generates and distributes electricity. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring charts and sensors, gathering and analyzing data, detecting errors and inconsistencies, maintaining daily logs and records of all progress, and performing adjustments as needed... Show more	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CAD
   • Switch Gear
   • Prototype
   • Ac
   • Troubleshoot
   • Electrical Distribution Systems
   • Electrical Panels
   • Assembly Line
   • Nuclear Power
   • PLC

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure continuous control of chemistry vital to operational reactor safety and provide oversight for complex radiological control maintenance.
   • Specialize in building distillation units used for distilling hazardous chemicals.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, electric operators' average salary in north carolina is 26% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level electric operators earn 56% less than senior-level electric operators.
   • Certifications. An electric 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 an electric operator's salary.

   Average electric operator salary

   $41,135yearly

   $19.78 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level electric operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing an electric operator job description

   An electric 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. To help get you started, here's an example of an electric operator job description:

   Electric operator job description example

   About BHP
   
   At BHP we support our people to grow, learn, develop their skills and reach their potential. With a global portfolio of operations, we offer a diverse and inclusive environment with extraordinary career opportunities. Our strategy is to focus on creating a safe work environment where our employees feel strongly connected to our values and objectives, and where the capability.
   
   Come and be a part of this success!
   
   Purpose
   
   This role will safely execute reactive, planned and scheduled electrical and Instrumentation maintenance on facilities, pumping systems and infrastructure strictly adhering to NFPA 70E and MSHA CFR requirements in metal non-metal mines. Support the operations and maintenance teams to execute work on geotechnical structures, site roads, tailings, drainage, storm water inspection and repairs in peak periods.
   
   About the Role
   
   Accountabilities:
   
   * Strictly follow and comply with Arizona State requirements, NFPA 70E standards and MSHA CFR requirements as a qualified electrical worker.
   * Stay current with industry requirements for electrical safety including arc flash requirements.
   * Reporting of events and hazards in a timely and accurate manner.
   * Maintain the necessary skills to efficiently and effectively perform electrical troubleshooting and maintenance on all facilities and equipment, to include instrumentation, PLC and SCADA.
   * Risk assess work activities and ensure actions are taken to enable safe work execution.
   * Execute reactive, planned and scheduled equipment maintenance using standard processes and systems.
   * As needed, support execution of operations activities.
   * Follow maintenance schedules and record equipment maintenance history and work activities in the business system.
   * Execute assigned project activities.
   * Support the identification and implementation of improvement initiatives.
   * Maintain cross-functional relationships with Operations and Maintenance peers and leadership to support delivery of maintenance.
   
   About You
   
   A minimum of 5 years' experience working as a Journeyman Electrician in a heavy industrial or mining work setting.
   
   Experience working with electrical distribution systems
   
   Ability to read, understand and communicate electrical drawings and prints
   
   Operating and site field experience including safety, health and environment.
   
   Solid interpersonal skills to interact and maintain effective relationships with contractors, regulators and community stakeholders.
   
   Proficient in the MS Office suite.
   
   Supporting a Diverse Workforce
   
   The size and magnitude of our business not only provides significant opportunity for professional development, but also attractive salary packages with performance-based bonuses and a unique BHP employee share program.
   
   At BHP, we recognize that we are strengthened by diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and we encourage applications from women and Indigenous people. We know there are many aspects of our employees' lives that are important, and work is only one of these, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, other extended leave entitlements and parent rooms.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting electric operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 electric operator

   Once you've found the electric operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new electric 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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