How to hire a power plant technician

How to hire a power plant technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step power plant technician hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your power plant technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a power plant technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A power plant technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, power plant technicians 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of power plant technicians.

   Type of Power Plant Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Power Plant Technician	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$14-34
   Aircraft Fueler	Aircraft fuelers' primary role is to ensure the proper refueling of aircraft before and after a flight. The position is essential, as proper refueling determines the safety of an aircraft... Show more	$12-21
   Structures Mechanic	A Structures Mechanic maintains the frame and structural components of machinery. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, as well as perform inspections and supervision of machinery.	$21-40

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plant Equipment
   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Gearboxes
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Safety Procedures
   • Maintenance Procedures
   • Control Systems
   • Test Equipment
   • Switches
   • PLC
   • Plant Maintenance
   • Plumbing
   • Control Room
   • Electrical Systems

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the FOD prevention program to reduce costly repairs and increase the participation in FOD awareness and FOD walk downs.
   • Maintain and repair industrial machinery such as power transmission components, hydraulics, pneumatics, plumbing systems, and electro-mechanical components.
   • Perform unschedule aircraft line maintenance on 76 assign Cessna 402-C Utiliners.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, power plant technicians' average salary in nebraska is 48% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level power plant technicians 58% less than senior-level power plant technicians.
   • Certifications. A power plant technician 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 a power plant technician's salary.

   Average power plant technician salary

   $46,681yearly

   $22.44 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level power plant technician salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 11, 2025

4. Writing a power plant technician job description

   A power plant technician 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 power plant technician job description:

   Power plant technician job description example

   As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
   
   UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
   
   UW Facilities manages the University's buildings, infrastructure and land, with more than 1,100 employees in a variety of fields. The Asset Management group includes Capital & Space Management, Real Estate, Sustainability and other teams responsible for planning and workload management. The Operations group includes Project Delivery, Maintenance & Construction, Transportation Services and Safety. Lastly, there is the Campus Energy, Utilities & Operations group. Supporting these groups, as well as the separate Emergency Management team, are the Business Intelligence & Information Technology group and the Finance & Administration group.
   
   We have an outstanding opportunity for a Power Plant Control Technician (CONTROL TECHNICIAN) to perform journey-level control technician work in the operation, maintenance, repair, and alteration of the pneumatic, electronic, and electrical controls of the University of Washington Power Plant. This work requires special skills in instrument and control equipment maintenance.
   Primary Duties and Responsibilities
   
   * Installing, modifying, troubleshooting, repairing, testing, calibrating and operating a variety of mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic equipment and apparatus used on large steam and power generation equipment.
   * Troubleshoot complex operational problems in a steam power plant relative to the supporting instrumentation and controls.
   * Troubleshooting and repairing carbon monoxide, oxygen, nitric oxide analyzers, and opacity monitors for combustion controls and air emission monitoring systems.
   * Overhaul, repair, and calibrate large pneumatic, electric, and electro-pneumatic computerized control valves.
   * Work with design engineers and consultants to offer a plant perspective on methods of work pertaining to installation of control equipment and other systems in the facility.
   * Read detailed control drawings to troubleshoot systems and review future installations.
   * Researching and ordering parts for repairs and new installations of electrical, mechanical, electronic and pneumatic control systems.
   * Repairing, replacing, and bending of stainless steel and other tubing.
   * Follow safe work practices, comply with departmental and university policies, and comply with environmental and other regulations while performing duties.
   * Prepare service histories, work orders, and fulfill other documentation requirements.
   * May lead and instruct helpers as required.
   * Perform related duties as required.
   
   Core Competencies
   
   * Demonstrate personal integrity and trustworthiness.
   * Manage stressful situations and changing priorities effectively.
   * Anticipate, recognize and resolve problems.
   * Be responsible and accountable.
   * Use organizational skills and provide attention to details.
   * Maintain a positive, optimistic, and success-oriented attitude.
   * Exercise professionalism, which includes being tactful and courteous.
   * Exhibit a professional work ethic.
   * Continuously promote a safe work environment.
   
   Requirements include:
   
   * Completion of a 4-year approved institution course as a Control Technician Trainee;
   
   OR four years of applicable experience in installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical and pneumatic control systems in an industrial facility.
   
   Vocational or trade school training in control mechanisms may be substituted, year-for-year, for work experience up to a maximum of two years.
   
   Additional Requirements include:
   
   * Must be a strong team player not only able to work alone but able to work closely with multiple trades in a highly complex steam and power generation facility.
   * Must be conversant with an ABB Infi-Net 90 distributed control system and Allen-Bradley PLC5 computer systems.
   * Must be conversant with a wide variety of communication protocols such as Hart, Modbus, Data Highway, Data Highway+, and Fieldbus.
   
   Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
   
   Desired:
   
   * Ability to organize and plan your work schedule considering the operational needs of the facility and the other trades.
   * Ability to communicate between the trades people and supervision to ensure smooth and continuous operation of the plant.
   * Five or more years' experience as an instrument/control technician in a power generation or industrial facility.
   * Journey-level status as an instrument/control technician.
   * Must be conversant with Microsoft operating systems, MS Office programs and MS server programs.
   * Familiar with HVAC DDC controls
   
   Conditions of Employment:
   
   * Approved safety shoes must be provided at the employee's expense and worn on the job.
   * This position is presently scheduled Monday-Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm.
   * May be subject to call-back outside normal working hours in order to respond to power plant operational problems.
   * May be required to wear respiratory protection.
   * Must be able to work in a non-smoking environment.
   * Regular and predictable attendance is required.
   
   As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
   
   Application Process:
   
   The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
   
   Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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5. Post your job

   To find power plant technicians 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 power plant technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level power plant technicians 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.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your power plant technician job on Zippia to find and recruit power plant technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with power plant technician 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 power plant technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect power plant technician 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 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 power plant technician. 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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