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How to hire a marine railway operator

Marine railway operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring marine railway operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a marine railway operator is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new marine railway operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a marine railway operator, step by step

To hire a marine railway operator, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a marine railway operator:

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

    Before you start hiring a marine railway 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?

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

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

    Type of Marine Railway OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Marine Railway OperatorMaterial moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more$30-66
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Equipment
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Boats
    • Combat
    • Terminal Operations
    • Weapons Systems
    Responsibilities:
    • Need method to proactively manage the business improving cross-functional collaboration & KPI visibility.
    • Lead compression shift of twenty-one operators and supporting staff in daily operations of manufacturing generic prescription medications in a GMP setting.
    • Provide troubleshooting, conflict management, and expedient resolution of technical and/or floor issues with solutions-orient leadership.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your marine railway operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A marine railway operator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, marine railway operators' average salary in hawaii is 32% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level marine railway operators earn 54% less than senior-level marine railway operators.
    • Certifications. A marine railway 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 marine railway operator's salary.

    Average marine railway operator salary

    $93,531yearly

    $44.97 hourly rate

    Entry-level marine railway operator salary
    $63,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a marine railway operator job description

    A marine railway 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 marine railway operator job description:

    Marine railway operator job description example

    The Colonial Family has moved forward together since 1921. Our success in diverse markets is attributable to our exceptional people, who work collectively to create opportunities for our customers and our companies. By consistently investing in the development of our people, we ensure our management, operations, and support teams work seamlessly to deliver the best service in their respective industries.

    With the growth of all of the Colonial companies, we look for talented, motivated individuals who want to become part of a company with a culture driven by diversity, innovation, and ingenuity.
    Build Your Career, Impact Your Community, Join Our Colonial Family!

    Join one of the largest independent oil companies in the Southeast. The global supply chain affects everyone; help keep the world moving by making a direct impact in a fulfilling industry.

    The Marine Operator I plays a critical role within the marine division by assisting with the safe and efficient transfer of petroleum products between trucks, barges, vessels, and facilities.

    JOB EXPECTATIONS/DUTIES
    Assists the Person in Charge (PIC) with over-the-water transfers by operating the transfer vehicle (pump truck and/or pump trailer), establishing connections between trucks, pumps, and vessels, and communicating with vessel personnel. Performs hydrostatic testing of cargo hoses and piping. Performs general equipment maintenance and cleaning. Deploys and retrieves oil spill preventative equipment. Pre-checks all equipment prior to use. Responds to emergency situations as needed.
    QUALIFICATIONS
    High School Degree or GED is required. Valid Drivers' License is required. Must be able to successfully complete HAZWOPER training within 90 days of hire. Must have the ability to deploy, maneuver, and retrieve cargo hoses as well as handle and assemble pipe fittings and board vessels using an accommodation ladder. Must have 24/7 availability to include nights, weekends, and holidays to accommodate changes in scheduling and weather conditions. Must be able to work in all weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, and rain.
    Physical Requirements:

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Regional travel is required.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

    Colonial Group, Inc. is an EEO/AA employer and committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our organizations.

    Other details
    Pay Type Hourly Min Hiring Rate $17.00 Max Hiring Rate $19.00 Required Education High School
  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right marine railway operator 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 marine railway operator job on Zippia to find and recruit marine railway 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 marine railway 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.

    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 marine railway operator

    Once you've found the marine railway 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.

    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.

    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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How much does it cost to hire a marine railway operator?

Recruiting marine railway operators involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for marine railway operators is $93,531 in the US. However, the cost of marine railway operator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a marine railway operator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $30 and $66 an hour.

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