How to hire a high pressure operator

How to hire a high pressure operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a high pressure 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 high pressure 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 high pressure operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of high pressure operators.

   Type of High Pressure Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   High Pressure Operator	Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.	$14-25
   Stationary Engineer	Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines... Show more	$21-51
   Shift Engineer	A shift engineer conducts maintenance operations and ensures a company's engineering policies are upheld. They supervise a team, perform preventative maintenance, take orders, keep records, and control inventory... Show more	$30-61

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Inventory Control
   • Troubleshoot
   • HVAC
   • Log Book
   • OSHA
   • Equipment Operation
   • Safety Procedures
   • Safety Regulations
   • PSI
   • Water Treatment
   • Cooling Towers
   • Dryers
   • RF
   • Water Pumps

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
   • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
   • Perform shift operations on a high pressure boiler and alcohol distillation plant on a part-time, on-call, and casual basis.
   • Operate a continuous recovery distillation process.
   • Operate 600 ton anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your high pressure operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A high pressure operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, high pressure operators' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level high pressure operators 42% less than senior-level high pressure operators.
   • Certifications. A high pressure operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a high pressure operator's salary.

   Average high pressure operator salary

   $40,243yearly

   $19.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level high pressure operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a high pressure operator job description

   A high pressure 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. Below, you can find an example of a high pressure operator job description:

   High pressure operator job description example

   DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK
   
   Position will typically hire at minimum pay and follow a step progression to maximum
   
   This position is responsible for operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining various equipment and systems. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.)
   
   * Operates and maintains all boilers and air conditioning units.
   * Monitors and/or performs operation of heating, cooling, and related systems, including: starting up and shutting down systems; adjusting temperature settings; monitoring pressure gauges; performing water tests; and performing related tasks.
   * Performs operational maintenance and service on out building gas, electric, hot water and steam rooftop or air handling units.
   * Prepares all the above boilers and related equipment for state mandated annual safety inspections and certifications.
   * Changes belts, pulleys, sheaves and fan shafts for all buildings.
   * Performs maintenance on all power house equipment.
   * Inspects lighting, fans, and related equipment to ensure proper functioning.
   * Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
   
   This job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
   
   KNOWLEDGE:
   
   * Maintenance, operation, and repair of various equipment;
   * Applicable tools and equipment;
   * Applicable building systems;
   * Occupational hazards and safe work methods and practices.
   
   SKILLS:
   
   * Maintaining equipment and building systems;
   * Operating equipment;
   * Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with the general public and others to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
   
   PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
   
   Positions in this class typically require: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
   
   Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
   
   Incumbents may be subjected to mechanical parts, fumes, gases, work space restricts movement, and intense noise. EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
   
   Associate's degree and 3 years of related experience; or, all required certification(s) and 3 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
   
   LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:
   
   * High Pressure Boiler Operator License
   * Refrigeration Engineer First Class License
   * Refrigeration Recovery Universal Technician Certification
   * Valid State of Michigan Driver's License

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find high pressure operators 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 high pressure operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level high pressure operators 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 high pressure operator job on Zippia to find and recruit high pressure operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit high pressure operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 high pressure operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the high pressure operator 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new high pressure operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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