How to hire a float operator

How to hire a float operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The float operator 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a float 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 float operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of float operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Float Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Float 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.	$14-22
   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:

   • General Maintenance
   • Pallets
   • ATM
   • Safety Issues
   • Quality Checks
   • Quality Inspection
   • CNC
   • Troubleshoot
   • Extrusion

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Operate various machines (drill presses, CNC machines, saws, etc .).
   • Stack in prepare pallets for shipping
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
   • Cover CSR'S & CSA'S while there out of the office.
   • Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, float operators' average salary in arkansas is 50% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level float operators earn 35% less than senior-level float operators.
   • Certifications. A float 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 float operator's salary.

   Average float operator salary

   $37,782yearly

   $18.16 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level float operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

4. Writing a float operator job description

   A float 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 a float operator job description:

   Float operator job description example

   Job DescriptionMiller Brother Staffing Solutions is looking for career minded candidates as Floaters for a busy manufacturer for 1st; 2nd and 3rd shifts POSITION: LINE FLOATER REPORTS TO: CNC SHIFT SUPERVISOR
   
   SHIFT:1st Shift Monday-Friday 7am-3pm SHIFT:2nd Shift Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm SHIFT: 3rd Shift Sunday-Thursday 11pm-7am
   PAY: $15.43
   
   BENEFITS: MEDICAL,VISION,DENTAL,401K,LIFE
   
   1. Keep forging table loaded and watch for any forgings that may have flipped and are now upside down. Also, be able to recognize when the pusher is jammed and be able to clear the stuck forging. 2. When blowing off finished parts and making sure the machined surfaces are clean of any dirt smudges or chips and be alert to any possible broken tools or forging defects. 3. If scrap if noticed during Step 2, be able to know how to switch the lathe from Automatic to Manual so more scrap is not made and alert the operator of the issue. 4. Be able recognize the alarms and warning lights and know how to recover. 5. While an operator has a lathe down for tool change, help him keep the rest of the cell up and running. This means, keep the other finished parts conveyors caught up and help pack off the finished parts into the finished goods basket. NOTE: when dipping and packing into the finished basket the operator is required to wear gloves. 6. Work with the operators on each line to help fill coolant at some point during you shift. 7. Don't get caught up "Over" helping on one line and not help out as much on the other two. 8. At the end of the shift help the operators with cell cleanup.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:
   
   High School Diploma or GED required Knowledge of 5S and lean practices helpful but not necessary CNC/Machining experience preferred, but not necessary
   
   COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
   
   Competitive Wages, 2nd and 3rd shift premiums Health, Vision and Dental Insurance 401K WITH company match program 13 paid holidays Employee Profit Sharing Paid Vacation Life Insurance Much more…..

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with float 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 float operator

   Once you've found the float 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.

   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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