How to hire an oiler

How to hire an oiler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step oiler hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

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

   Hiring the perfect oiler also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents oiler salaries for various positions.

   Type of Oiler	Description	Hourly rate
   Oiler	Industrial machinery mechanics and maintenance workers maintain and repair factory equipment and other industrial machinery, such as conveying systems, production machinery, and packaging equipment. Millwrights install, dismantle, repair, reassemble, and move machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.	$11-34
   Preventive Maintenance Technician	A preventive maintenance technician performs routine facility maintenance to prevent possible mechanical failure. The technicians change worn out machine parts before they can cause mechanical damage... Show more	$14-25
   Janitorial Maintenance Worker	A janitorial maintenance worker is one of the busiest employees in a company. They are responsible for inspecting all the office's rooms and equipment daily... Show more	$9-14

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Oiling
   • Lube
   • Routine Maintenance
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Gear Boxes
   • Oil Changes
   • Water Pumps
   • Air Filters
   • Oil Samples
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • Hydraulic Systems
   • Bulldozers
   • Blowers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Preform light maintenance and oil crane, assist with the erection and teardown of crane along with rigging loads when need
   • Complete numerous hours of operators training for track hoe and bulldozers.
   • 99801Work underground servicing mine equipment, operate lube truck and mine equipment.
   • Operate Frac heater, heating Frac and upright tanks on well locations.
   • Operate the lubricant filtering and purifying equipment and keep logs of the oiling.
   • Update all spare parts stock inventory and engine maintenance in AMOS windows program.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, oilers' average salary in kansas is 48% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level oilers 68% less than senior-level oilers.
   • Certifications. An oiler 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 oiler's salary.

   Average oiler salary

   $41,034yearly

   $19.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level oiler salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an oiler job description

   A good oiler 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 an oiler job description:

   Oiler job description example

   An Oiler assists the Watch Engineer in operating, maintaining, and repairing the dredge's machinery.
   
   Essential Job Functions
   
   * Routinely makes rounds and complete logs accurately and clearly
   * Reports any unusual machinery operation, noise, or vibration to the engineer
   * Keep the bilges pumped down
   * Clean up excess oil from around the machinery
   * Keep oil pressures and temperatures within limits
   * Keeps all fluid levels at their proper state
   * Take soundings for the storage tanks, as directed
   * Check all motors, bearing pumps, and glands for overheating
   * Clean engines spaces and properly dispose of waste materials
   * Grease machinery as directed
   * Follow the Preventative Maintenance Schedule as directed
   * Participate in all repairs and maintenance projects during idle periods
   * Other duties as assigned
   
   Requirements
   
   * High School diploma or equivalent required
   * Ability to work 84 hour work week
   * Ability to live aboard vessel for full rotation
   * This position requires fluent use of the verbal and written English language
   * Computer literate preferred
   
   Required Certifications or Licenses
   
   * Merchant Mariners Credential with the following endorsements
   * Oiler
   * Basic Training
   * STCW Medical Certificate
   * Able Seafarer - Engine
   * VPDSD - Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties
   * RFPEW - Rating Forming Part of an Engineering Watch
   * TWIC - Transportation Worker Identification Credential
   
   Physical Requirements
   
   * Must be able to tolerate rough seas, vibrations, heat, harsh weather conditions, confined spaces, and high noise levels
   * Work will frequently require individuals to push, pull, bend or stand for long periods of time, and climb ladders that have capacity limits of 300 lbs.
   * Must be able to lift or carry miscellaneous equipment, supplies and parts up to 50 lbs. unassisted
   
   Additional Duties
   
   This Job Description does not cover all of the required duties, activities, functions and responsibilities of the position, any of which may change at any time according to the sole and absolute discretion of Weeks Marine, Inc., with or without notice.
   
   Equal Employment Opportunity
   
   Weeks Marine, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination, hostility, harassment, and retaliation.
   
   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right oiler 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 oiler job on Zippia to find and recruit oiler 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 oilers, 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 oiler

   Once you've decided on a perfect oiler candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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 oiler. 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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