How to hire an inspector general

How to hire an inspector general, step by step

Here's a step-by-step inspector general hiring guide:

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

What does an inspector general do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the inspector general you need to hire. Certain inspector general roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 an inspector general 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 an inspector general that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of inspector general salaries for various roles:

   Type of Inspector General	Description	Hourly rate
   Inspector General	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$14-35
   Test Operator	The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement... Show more	$12-23
   Quality Assurance Inspector	Quality Assurance Auditors are employees who ensure the adherence of other employees to company processes and guidelines. They are expected to be experts on quality assurance processes and procedures... Show more	$12-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • IG
   • OIG
   • DOD
   • Corrective Action
   • Audit Reports
   • Fraud Waste
   • Regulatory Guidance
   • Assistance Cases
   • Command Policies
   • Internal Controls
   • Criminal Investigations
   • Systemic Issues
   • Logistics
   • Subpoenas

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Identify the appropriate DoD organizations and project locations to accomplish assign project objectives.
   • Conduct complex functional inspections, focuse on logistics management of DoD activities.
   • Issue hundreds of subpoenas for production of records.
   • Conduct inquiries, investigations and respond to Hotline complaints.
   • Install overhead cranes, rail systems, trolley hoists.
   • Update the GIS system with new data as projects are complete.

   More inspector general duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your inspector general job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An inspector general can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, inspectors general' average salary in illinois is 52% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level inspectors general 59% less than senior-level inspectors general.
   • Certifications. An inspector general 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 an inspector general's salary.

   Average inspector general salary

   $48,026yearly

   $23.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level inspector general salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 27, 2025

   Average inspector general salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$75,162	$36
   2	Maryland	$63,766	$31
   3	New Mexico	$54,625	$26
   4	Virginia	$53,366	$26
   5	New York	$52,338	$25
   6	Nebraska	$50,912	$24
   7	Massachusetts	$50,766	$24
   8	California	$50,003	$24
   9	Ohio	$49,801	$24
   10	Colorado	$48,759	$23
   11	Florida	$47,995	$23
   12	South Carolina	$44,636	$21
   13	South Dakota	$44,174	$21
   14	Texas	$43,717	$21
   15	Illinois	$36,567	$18

   Average inspector general salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	MKP Capital Management	$78,087	$37.54
   2	City of Jacksonville	$63,303	$30.43
   3	King County	$58,885	$28.31
   4	City of Baltimore	$58,327	$28.04	7
   5	U.S. International Development Finance Corp	$57,114	$27.46
   6	Defense Intelligence Agency	$52,704	$25.34
   7	Us Army Reserves	$50,918	$24.48
   8	Army National Guard	$50,687	$24.37
   9	U.S. Tsubaki Power Transmission	$50,438	$24.25
   10	Air National Guard	$49,216	$23.66
   11	CIA Inc	$48,992	$23.55	3
   12	Indian Health Service	$47,249	$22.72
   13	City of Las Cruces Government	$47,214	$22.70	1
   14	City of Columbus	$46,149	$22.19	2
   15	My Florida Regional Mls	$43,115	$20.73
   16	Texas Department of Transportation	$41,818	$20.10	5
   17	State Of Florida	$38,898	$18.70	98
   18	Florida Department of Transportation	$38,475	$18.50
   19	Remedy Intelligent Staffing	$33,890	$16.29
   20	Adecco	$32,920	$15.83	57

4. Writing an inspector general job description

   An inspector general 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 an inspector general job description:

   Inspector general job description example

   QC Rod Inspector - Hopkins, S.C. (10 month contract)
   
   Your Day-to-Day:
   
   Perform detail, visual, mechanical, dimensional and instrumental inspection of materials, parts, X-ray film, sub-assemblies and complete assemblies employing repetitive and non-repetitive methods, maintaining equipment and keeping records and reports as required.
   
   WORKING PROCEDURES: The following are the usual major job duties but this job description does not preclude the performance of other duties by the incumbent, nor the question being raised on the proper rate of pay for the assignment.
   
   * Set up, calibrate, adjust, program and operate inspection equipment in area.
   * Compare physical dimensions, instrument read out, or analytical results using the correct precision instruments and set ups.
   * Compare manufacturing results with procedurized requirements and/or standard, where dimensions and other criteria occasionally are not clearly indicated and/or must be determined prior to assembly.
   * Work from written procedures, visual standards, manuals, inspection records and/or verbal instructions from supervisor.
   * View, interpret and disposition the results obtained from film reading or overcheck inspection using standard film evaluation techniques.
   * Select and adjust gauging set up of equipment including calibration, routine repairs and cleaning.
   * Make recommendations relative to standard and non-standard gauging equipment as an aid in the control of quality.
   * Assist in establishing inspection methods and selection of appropriate tooling parameters and equipment.
   * Assure replenishment or replacement of testing compounds and chemicals used in inspection and/or testing as required.
   * Use standard shop math as described in procedures for calculating averages, and ranges.
   * Read procedures, data sheets, and/or special routings to determine specific requirements for inspection.
   * Assist in the auditing of quality control inspection procedures and maintenance of records and logs as necessary.
   * Maintain film developer rollers.
   * Verify quantities of material inspected, rejected and released.
   * Procure samples of raw materials, components and work-in-process for inspection and other tests.
   * Check documents as to quality, quantity and identity of materials, parts and assemblies inspected.
   * Maintain equipment and leave work area in a clean and orderly condition.
   * Adhere to accountability, criticality, safety, security and hygiene procedures.
   * Perform traceability function as required.
   
   Who You Are:
   
   As a successful candidate, you will bring the following to the team:
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent industrial experience and mechanical aptitude preferred.
   * Satisfactory performance in current job.
   * Satisfy Bausch and Lomb Occupational Vision Test to the Purdue University Standard #2 (inspection and close machine work).
   * Training and experience in lower classified position may be required.
   * Established skills with basic hand tools, i.e., (micrometer, steel scale, dial hand gauge, functional gauges, visual standards).
   * Upon request, must apply for security clearance.
   
   TRAINING:
   
   Qualification period three to six weeks per each operation.
   
   Total job description twelve to eighteen months.
   
   Full proficiency 24 months.
   
   TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT: Personal Computers, X-ray film viewers, pocket comparators, dial calipers, Decwriter, steel scales, x-ray and fluoroscope equipment, ultrasonic test equipment, gamma scanner systems, densitometers, automatic developing systems, soft handling system, cassettes, standards, Helium Leak detector and related backfill systems, In-line leak detector, rod welding equipment, bottom end plug and weld system, laser marker system, micrometers, calipers, ring gauges, feeler gauges, dial depth gauges, length gauges, visual standards, X-ray developing systems, scales and steel rules, hydraulic and mechanical lifts, boroscope, stop watch, 5X eye-piece, etc.
   
   MATERIAL: Fuel and non-fuel bearing rod assemblies and their components, X-ray film, acetone, alcohol, fixer and developer solutions, liquid nitrogen, etc.
   
   Our Safety Pledge to You:
   
   If you are as committed to your success as we are committed to your safety, then this is the position for you! For us, our guiding principle has always been and will continue to be the safety of our people. It's that simple!
   
   Why WECTEC Staffing Services?
   
   Through the ever changing and rapidly evolving contract labor market we continue to employ experienced, highly motivated, and qualified employees with proven track records to meet our clients' needs. We have expanded our scope of services outside of the nuclear industry to include international contracts in more than five countries. Our dedicated employees range in expertise from highly specialized technical niche positions to corporate function positions and we want YOU to be a part of our impressive talent network!
   
   Additionally, WECTEC Staffing Services offers competitive pay as well as benefits to qualifying positions. To learn more about us visit www.wectecstaffing.com
   
   EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability
   
   Employment opportunities may require access to information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting inspectors general requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 inspector general

   Once you've found the inspector general 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new inspector general. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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