How to hire a grain elevator worker

How to hire a grain elevator worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step grain elevator worker hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your grain elevator worker 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 a grain elevator worker 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a grain elevator worker 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 grain elevator worker that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of grain elevator workers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Grain Elevator Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Grain Elevator Worker	Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products.	$11-19
   Buyer	A buyer's duties include product sourcing and comparing resources for the best product range that would suit the specific needs of the business. Buyers must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to evaluate items that most likely benefit the customer and improve the sales of daily operations with cost-efficient products... Show more	$17-36
   Produce Buyer	Being a produce buyer requires commercial awareness, confidence, the ability to be a team player, interpersonal, math, and IT skills, as well as the ability to cope with high pressure. This position will demand negotiation and collaboration with produce suppliers in promoting, pricing, and advertising products... Show more	$19-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Harvest
   • General Maintenance
   • ADM
   • Load Trucks
   • Rail Cars
   • Loaders
   • Grain Trucks
   • Grain Elevator
   • Dryers
   • Bobcat
   • Coop
   • Augers
   • RAN
   • Grain Bins

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate grain elevator during harvest.
   • Develop a producer origination program by creating relationships with local producers.
   • Operate dryers to make sure the grain hits ideal moisture percentage.
   • Operate sweeps, bobcat, dryer, and high power pressure washers.
   • Trade CIF positions, barge freight, corn and soybeans for a river terminal.
   • Grain manager for company origination and hedging of grain, grain settlement, truck dispatching.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, grain elevator workers' average salary in florida is 42% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level grain elevator workers earn 44% less than senior-level grain elevator workers.
   • Certifications. A grain elevator worker 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 grain elevator worker's salary.

   Average grain elevator worker salary

   $15.00hourly

   $31,199 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level grain elevator worker salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

4. Writing a grain elevator worker job description

   A good grain elevator worker 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 grain elevator worker job description:

   Grain elevator worker job description example

   **Elevator Worker (2nd shift) - Creve Couer, IL**
   
   This is a full time, hourly position.
   
   **Job Responsibilities:**
   
   + Dumping or loading trucks
   
   + Barge deckhand duties
   
   + Operate Power Industrial Equipment
   
   + Assist with grain handling
   
   + General housekeeping duties
   
   + General maintenance, as needed
   
   **Job Requirements:**
   
   + Commitment to ADM's goal of achieving a zero injury culture; understand and follow company safety procedures
   
   + High school education or equivalent
   
   + Exhibit regular and prompt attendance
   
   + Able to meet physical requirements of the position including, but not limited to: prolonged periods of standing and sitting, working in confined spaces and from heights, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs and ladders, working in a variety of conditions (heat, cold, dust, etc), lift up to 50 lbs unassisted
   
   + Willing to work overtime and weekends
   
   + Demonstrate initiative to work independently while flexible enough to work in team setting when needed
   
   + Exhibit a professional image at all times; maintain a positive and respectful attitude
   
   + Exceptional Attendance is Required
   
   Relocation assistance is not available with this position.
   
   This position offers a complete benefit package, including 401K/ESOP, pension, health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
   
   ADM requires the successful completion of applicable pre-employment drug screen, medical/respirator questionnaire and a background check.
   
   **Shift:**
   
   Second Shift
   
   **City:**
   
   Creve Coeur
   
   **State:**
   
   IL - Illinois
   
   **EEO:**
   
   ADM is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability and veterans status.
   
   **About ADM::**
   
   At ADM, we unlock the power of nature to provide access to nutrition worldwide. With industry-advancing innovations, a complete portfolio of ingredients and solutions to meet any taste, and a commitment to sustainability, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional challenges of today and tomorrow. We're a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company. Our breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give us unparalleled capabilities to meet needs for food, beverages, health and wellness, and more. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we enrich the quality of life the world over. Learn more at www.adm.com.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find grain elevator workers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any grain elevator workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level grain elevator workers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your grain elevator worker job on Zippia to find and recruit grain elevator worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit grain elevator workers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 grain elevator worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the grain elevator worker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   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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