How to hire a kettle worker

How to hire a kettle worker, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the kettle worker you need to hire. Certain kettle worker 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

   A kettle worker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, kettle workers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of kettle worker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Kettle Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Kettle Worker	Construction laborers and helpers perform many tasks that require physical labor on construction sites.	$9-17
   Construction Apprentice	Construction apprentices are individuals who are trained by experienced professionals for entry-level tasks involving the trade of construction work on the job. Their complimentary training experience helps them to become skilled in a specific trade by combining hands-on work and classroom learning, as they apply the lessons learned through working... Show more	$15-33
   General Helper	General helpers are skilled workers who help other workers by performing tasks that need less skill, such as holding materials or tools and cleaning work areas and equipment. These helpers are required to provide general labor support to all departments while performing a variety of job assignments... Show more	$13-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Salvation Army

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain knowledge of every residual material including asbestos and remove it from construction site for business and residential areas.
   • Operate heavy equipment including forklifts and bobcats.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, kettle workers' average salary in oklahoma is 56% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level kettle workers earn 49% less than senior-level kettle workers.
   • Certifications. A kettle 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 kettle worker's salary.

   Average kettle worker salary

   $13.16hourly

   $27,371 yearly

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   Entry-level kettle worker salary

   $19,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a kettle worker job description

   A kettle worker 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 kettle worker job description:

   Kettle worker job description example

   Department:
   
   Position Title: Bell ringer
   
   Supervisor: Corps Officer
   
   FLSA Status: Non-exempt, seasonal, temporary
   
   Date: November/December
   
   General Statement: The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is a spiritual regeneration of all people.
   
   MISSION STATEMENT: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
   
   JOB SUMMARY: Staff the Christmas kettles and receive donations from shoppers.
   
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
   
   + Report to work on a regular and punctual basis as scheduled at various locations, both indoors and outdoors.
   
   + Interact with others with courtesy and tact
   
   + Receive donations from shoppers.
   
   + Work under stressful conditions
   
   + Respond to crisis situations in a calm and effective manner
   
   + Handle cash in a secure fashion
   
   + Maintain confidentiality
   
   + Talk and interact with co-workers, supervisors, shoppers.
   
   OTHER FUNCTIONS:
   
   Performs other duties as assigned.
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
   
   The position requires standing; walking; sitting; stooping, kneeling, bending, stretching, crouching and/or crawling; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; use of vision; pushing/pulling/lifting/carrying 25 pounds
   
   SKILLS/TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:
   
   Valid Hawaii driver's license (if needed)
   
   THE KETTLE WORKER'S SCHEDULE: Monday through Saturday starting in November and ending on or about Christmas Eve.
   
   WORK PROCEDURE:
   
   It is necessary to subscribe to certain basic procedures to ensure the successful operation of The Salvation Army Kettle Program. If you are willing to abide by the following instructions, please sign and return this application to our office.
   
   1) I will be willing to wear Salvation Army identification
   
   2) I will wear a jacket or apron specified by The Salvation Army.
   
   3) I will maintain a neat and clean appearance at all times.
   
   4) I will not smoke, drink, or use drugs while working on the kettles.
   
   5) I will be flexible in adjusting to whatever working schedule and locations are necessary.
   
   6) I will represent The Salvation Army to the best of my ability.
   
   7) I will follow basic safety guidelines
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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5. Post your job

   To find kettle 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 kettle workers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level kettle 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.

   To find kettle worker candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting kettle workers 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.

   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 kettle worker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the kettle 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.

   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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new kettle worker. 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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