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How to hire an engine boss

Engine boss hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring engine bosses in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an engine boss is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new engine boss to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an engine boss, step by step

To hire an engine boss, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an engine boss:

Here's a step-by-step engine boss hiring guide:

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

    The engine boss 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?

    An engine boss's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, engine bosses 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 engine boss salaries for various roles:

    Type of Engine BossDescriptionHourly rate
    Engine Boss$11-42
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Wildland Fire
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage daily deck operations on multiple commercial fishing vessels to ensure all operations run smoothly and efficiently.
    • Operate and maintain a type-3 firefighting engine.
    • Work directly with EI team to ensure compliance with ECD installations, maintenance and repairs.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your engine boss job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An engine boss salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, engine bosses' average salary in wyoming is 48% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level engine bosses earn 73% less than senior-level engine bosses.
    • Certifications. An engine boss 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 engine boss's salary.

    Average engine boss salary

    $46,568yearly

    $22.39 hourly rate

    Entry-level engine boss salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 15, 2025
  4. Writing an engine boss job description

    A job description for an engine boss 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 an engine boss job description:

    Engine boss job description example

    GENERAL PURPOSE Under direct to general supervision, performs wildland fire suppression, management, and control activities as part of an engine, module, or hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, and/or prescribed burning.
    SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the guidance and direction of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, or supervisory personnel of emergency incident.
    SUPERVISION EXERCISED Provides direct supervision of Wildland Firefighters assigned as part of the crew.
    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Serves as the immediate supervisor of a fire crew assigned to suppress the full range of wildland fires. Develops a working knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management techniques, practices and terminology related to fire line construction, use of pumps and engines, hose lays using appropriate nozzles and nozzle adjustments for the effective use of water and additives, working in and around aircraft such as helicopters, working knowledge of use and maintenance of chainsaws, safety rules, basic fire behavior, and fire camp etiquette. Performs fire suppression and rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting emergency vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; jumping over obstacles; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces. Conduct daily inspections of condition and readiness of division apparatus and equipment; clean, wash and maintain apparatus and equipment; maintain inventory of equipment and supplies. Ensures the readiness of equipment and personnel. Ensures crew integrity and safety while deployed on any emergency incident, training or while conducting project work. Enforces City and Department policy and procedures. Accurately completes all required paperwork for the deployment or other project as outlined by Department policy. If qualified and licensed as a Utah EMT, AEMT or Paramedic: Provide efficient and immediate care to the ill and injured patient if needed. Determines the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care. Based on assessment findings, renders emergency medical care to adult, infant and child, medical and trauma patients. Provides pre-hospital emergency medical care of

    simple trauma patients such as controlling hemorrhage, treatment of shock, bandaging wounds and immobilization of painful, swollen, deformed extremities.
    Operates a variety of equipment, tools, devices and vehicles as required to perform assigned duties. Performs related duties as required.
    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. Education and Experience A. High school diploma or equivalent: AND B. NWCG Incident Qualification Card (Red Card). AND C. NWCG Engine Boss Qualified 2. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Knowledge of standard wildland fire management program requirements, suppression tactics, methods and procedures; fire behavior hazards, and accepted fire safety practices and procedures to prevent injury and loss of life; agency and interagency qualifications, position task book requirements, and certification standards and procedures adopted by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Skill in using and maintaining wildland firefighting hand tools, pumps and hoses, chainsaws and applicable emergency medical equipment. Ability to perform all tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with the certifications, licenses and essential tasks identified herein; respond quickly to changing situations; exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs, communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; work under extreme mental tension and pressures; work a variety of shifts for long hours; effectively deal with demanding and traumatic situations; work in all weather conditions; develop effective working relationships with supervisors, medical professionals, co-workers, and the public.
    3. Special Qualifications Must be at least 18 years of age. Must have a valid state of Utah driver’s license. NWCG Incident Qualification Card (Red Card) NWCG Engine Boss QualificationMust pass a physical ability test and medical screening. Must be available for deployment up to days 21 consecutive days.
    4. Preferred Qualifications Prior experience as an Engine Boss supervising personnel and equipment. Possess a Utah Emergency Medical Technician license. Possess a Utah Advanced Emergency Medical Technician license. Possess a Utah Paramedic license.
    5. Work Environment and Physical Demands Functions of the position generally performed in a controlled environment, but subject to seasonal outside weather conditions and exposure to extremely hazardous conditions and materials. Emergency
    response travel expected in normal course of performing duties. The individual is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, walk, sit and talk or hear. Must regularly lift and or move equipment and/or persons weighing up to 150 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus. Various levels of mental application required, i.e., memory for details, emotional stability, discriminating thinking, creative problem solving. NOTE: All South Weber City employees must successfully complete a pre-employment drug test and criminal history check following a conditional offer of employment.
    Employees required to drive a motor vehicle as an essential job duty are required to successfully complete a motor vehicle record (MVR) check following a conditional offer of employment.
    DISCLAIMER: The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not considered a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, requirements or knowledge, skills & abilities.

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  5. Post your job

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

    Your first interview with engine boss 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 engine boss

    Once you've found the engine boss 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 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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How much does it cost to hire an engine boss?

There are different types of costs for hiring engine bosses. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new engine boss employee.

You can expect to pay around $46,568 per year for an engine boss, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for engine bosses in the US typically range between $11 and $42 an hour.

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