How to hire an ordinary seaman

How to hire an ordinary seaman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ordinary seaman hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The ordinary seaman hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An ordinary seaman's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ordinary seamen 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 ordinary seaman salaries for various roles:

   Type of Ordinary Seaman	Description	Hourly rate
   Ordinary Seaman	Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.	$11-57
   Bosun	A bosun is responsible for monitoring the deck crew operations, delegating tasks, and inspecting the ship's equipment and facilities to ensure the safety and security of the premises. Bosuns must have excellent technical and mechanical skills to manage the deck's conditions, analyzing weather inconsistencies and geographical positioning... Show more	$10-58
   Cadet	A cadet is responsible for assisting police officers on their duties to keep the peace and order within the society. Cadets undergo training programs covering police officer disciplines and law enforcement procedures... Show more	$12-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Vessel Maintenance
   • Safety Equipment
   • Ladders
   • TWIC
   • Mooring Lines
   • Stcw
   • Boats
   • Firefighting
   • General Maintenance
   • Security Rounds
   • Coats
   • Coast Guard
   • Emergency Drills
   • Navigational Aids

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Conduct daily JSA's, occasionally lead weekly fire and boat drills.
   • Clean hulls, keel, rudder, props.
   • Conduct drills according to protocols specify by the USCG.
   • Acquire all extracurricular IMO and USCG certifications, self-bankrol.
   • Prime and paint the decks with fresh coats of paint.
   • Conduct drills, demonstrations of hydraulics, pump operations and firefighting techniques.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, ordinary seamen' average salary in colorado is 57% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ordinary seamen earn 81% less than senior-level ordinary seamen.
   • Certifications. An ordinary seaman 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 an ordinary seaman's salary.

   Average ordinary seaman salary

   $52,664yearly

   $25.32 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level ordinary seaman salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing an ordinary seaman job description

   An ordinary seaman 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 ordinary seaman job description:

   Ordinary seaman job description example

   • Must hold the following Merchant Mariner Credentials:
     • Ordinary Seaman
     • Wiper
   • Must hold a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
   • Must be willing to live 7 days a week in a remote environment with limited access to medical supplies and medical personnel
   • Maintain licenses and qualifications as required by regulation, both current and future
   • Maintain good health in compliance with USCG NVIC 04-08 including US Coast Guard vision and hearing requirements
   • Must have written and verbal command of the English language

   Physical Requirements:

   Will be required to pass the Physical Standard as published in USCG NVIC 04-08. May be required to stand, sit, crouch or lay prone for long periods of time. Will work as necessary in confined or watertight spaces. May have to navigate tripping hazards, uneven and rolling decks, and climb both stairs and ladders. May be required to push, pull, lift, or hoist equipment up to or in excess of 127-157 pounds.

   Work Environment:

   As expected in the Great Lakes region, incumbent employee will be exposed to seasonal weather including below freezing in the winter to high and humid temperatures in the summer. Incumbent employee may also be exposed to loud sounds and be required to wear and use hearing protection as required. Certain cargo ships may contain salt, silica, coal, and other hazardous dusts that may be inhaled and require the use of a respirator.

   Equipment:

   Works on boilers and with engine room components; also uses communication systems. Uses precision tools, meters, and chemical agents. Uses fall protector as necessary. Also uses small and large hand and power tools. May be required to use hoses, work-type PFD/life jackets, SCBA/respirators, hard hats and hearing and eye protection.

   Emergency Functions:

   In emergency scenarios, may be required to perform emergency duties to save crew and ship. Responsible to be physically fit enough to perform the following non-extensive list of self-evacuation: use of escape trunks, indoor emergency panels, launch life rafts, close fire doors, firefighting, life safety, including donning self-survival equipment, fall protection, scuba, survival suit, and life jacket as the situation requires. May be required to abandon ship, jump overboard, swim, and row a craft.

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with ordinary seaman candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   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 ordinary seaman

   Once you have selected a candidate for the ordinary seaman 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is 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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