How to hire a feller buncher operator

How to hire a feller buncher operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a feller buncher operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a feller buncher operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a feller buncher operator that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of feller buncher operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Feller Buncher Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Feller Buncher Operator	Logging workers harvest thousands of acres of forests each year. The timber they harvest provides the raw material for many consumer goods and industrial products.	$12-62
   Logging Equipment Operator	The Logging Equipment operator works in the lumber industry. This person has a task to operate and maintain all heavy equipment needed for lumbering... Show more	$12-57
   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

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Rules
   • RAN

   Responsibilities:

   • Coordinate logistics for chemical supply, supervise personnel and manage shift changes.
   • Recognize by supervisor for superior performance in cleaning and preparing Merrill hopper for FDA regulate testing.
   • Coordinate logistics for chemical supply, supervise personnel and manage shift changes.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, feller buncher operators' average salary in montana is 55% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level feller buncher operators earn 81% less than senior-level feller buncher operators.
   • Certifications. A feller buncher 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 feller buncher operator's salary.

   Average feller buncher operator salary

   $58,370yearly

   $28.06 hourly rate

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   Entry-level feller buncher operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 24, 2025

4. Writing a feller buncher operator job description

   A good feller buncher 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 feller buncher operator job description:

   Feller buncher operator job description example

   A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America's largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, employee benefits, tuition reimbursement, and unlimited growth opportunities. Our nearly seven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developing innovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardship and enhancing the wellbeing of our communities. How will you power what's possible?
   Job Description JOB OVERVIEW:
   The Operator, Buncher 1 role is a medium skill role that will be responsible for the process of creating cabled wire for use in a variety of products and sizes.
   GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
   High school diploma or equivalent
   Must read, write, and speak English; Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
   Must be able to stand and lift heavy loads for long periods of time
   PRIMARY JOB TASKS:
   Must be able to work under supervision and maintain ongoing communication with the supervisor and peers through verbal instruction and reports.
   Put scrap into the designated scrap bins.
   Load and unload payoff and take-up reels properly.
   String-up payoff wire into buncher.
   Set up lay length and taping head.
   Make hot and kold-welds and splices when necessary.
   Perform necessary housekeeping procedures
   May be asked to perform auxiliary tasks as needed, including the investigation of defects generated by the machine.
   CROSS TRAINING:
   Will be required to cross-train on equipment within your identified workgroup at your facility
   Once trained in more complex jobs, may be required to fill the position in the event of absence or vacancy
   Will be required to rotate on a set frequency within your workgroup to maintain skill proficiency
   QUALITY:
   Do not release products until all quality checks have been passed
   Perform quality checks, as outlined in the process procedures for the machine, and minor maintenance when necessary.
   Immediately report quality issues to the supervisor or quality manager
   Use the company's ISO Quality System documentation to help guide all daily quality activities.
   SAFETY:
   Working safely is a condition of employment.
   Follow all safety procedures and rules
   Properly wear all required PPE
   Review and know all Job Hazard Analyses for proper job sequence and hazards associated with the jobs assigned to do
   Review and know all Safety Data Sheets for the jobs assigned to do
   Maintain all work areas to 5S standards
   Perform pre-operation safety inspection and hazard analysis
   Follow all company environmental rules/procedures and handle all materials in a manner designed to minimize environmental impact.
   PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
   The operator is constantly exposed to water, some heat, cold, dust and fumes.
   Must be able to work in hot and cold environments normally found in a prefabricated building without climate-control.
   Physical activity associated with daily performance of this job include: balance, climbing, fingering, grasping, hearing, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motions, standing, stooping, walking and sitting. Benefits We Offer: 401k Matching Family and Individual Insurance Packages (Health, Life, Dental, and Vision) Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays Long & Short-Term Disability Identity Theft Plans Retirement & Pension Plans Employee Assistance Program Employee Referral Program Tuition Reimbursement Programs Advancement & Professional Growth opportunities Parental Leave & More Southwire is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with feller buncher 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. 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 feller buncher operator

   Once you've selected the best feller buncher 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.

   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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