How to hire a range technician

How to hire a range technician, step by step

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

What does a range technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The range technician 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

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

   The following list breaks down different types of range technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Range Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Range Technician		$12-22
   Fire Management Officer	A fire management officer ensures regular safe housekeeping and inspections take place. They ensure fire safety audits take place and appropriate actions get implemented... Show more	$23-58
   Natural Resource Technician	A natural resource technician assists other environmental specialists in collecting and compiling environmental data and in using that information to assess how natural resources are impacted by bioenergy. A natural resource technician is typically supervised by a senior natural resource specialist... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Noxious Weeds
   • Management Plans
   • Compliance Checks
   • GPS
   • BLM
   • Safety Procedures
   • RSO
   • Rehabilitation
   • Clipping
   • Hand Tools
   • Public Lands
   • Data Collection
   • GIS
   • ATV

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage fire crews on active wildland fires, supervise safety and coordinate fire suppression.
   • Utilize GIS & GPS technologies to collect location data, monitor, sample, and map natural resources using GPS/GIS units.
   • Complete ATV and vehicle training.
   • Experience with GIS software including ArcMap and ArcGIS.
   • Experience in with the ArcPad mobile GIS platform.
   • Maintain motorize equipment such as leave blowers, lawn mowers, ATV etc.

   More range technician duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, range technicians' average salary in south carolina is 47% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level range technicians 43% less than senior-level range technicians.
   • Certifications. A range 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 range technician's salary.

   Average range technician salary

   $36,047yearly

   $17.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level range technician salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average range technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Alaska	$52,499	$25
   2	New Hampshire	$38,298	$18
   3	Mississippi	$37,409	$18
   4	Alabama	$36,818	$18
   5	California	$36,778	$18
   6	Arizona	$35,874	$17
   7	South Carolina	$27,542	$13

   Average range technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz	$54,110	$26.01
   2	Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc.	$42,738	$20.55
   3	Bureau of Land Management	$41,760	$20.08
   4	Raytheon Technologies	$41,163	$19.79
   5	Forest Manufacturing Co	$40,034	$19.25
   6	BAE Systems	$36,556	$17.57
   7	Pacific Architects and Engineers	$36,518	$17.56
   8	Dms Holdings Inc	$35,780	$17.20	1
   9	Katmai Careers	$35,529	$17.08	1
   10	Indian Health Service	$35,362	$17.00
   11	Virginia Sprinkler	$35,185	$16.92
   12	Epsilon Systems	$34,649	$16.66

4. Writing a range technician job description

   A job description for a range technician role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a range technician job description:

   Range technician job description example

   At the completion of training, the new hire will independently operate antenna & RCS test ranges.The person will also perform measurements using multiple software data analysis tools, multimeters, network analyzers, and other electronic and RF equipment with minimal supervision.The position will involve some limited troubleshooting and minor modifications of test setups.
   
   The new hire will have limited fabrication and mechanical assembly duties.The new hire must be proficient in standard computer usage (Microsoft Office).The new hire must have the ability to communicate clearly both written and verbally with senior engineering and management staff to convey any issues encountered during Range operations.The new hire will work in elevated spaces and assist in loading and unloading test articles both by hand and by using hoists and similar equipment. The new hire must have the ability to lift up to a 50 pound load.Routine chemical and material handlings are normal duties for this position.
   
   **Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires US citizenship status**
   
   Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time.
   Required Education, Experience, & Skills
   Familiarity with commercial test equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, power meters, and multi meters. Desire to be hands-on, and have good dexterity and balance. Active Security Clearance (Secret or higher)
   Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
   RF Test Experience
   About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve. At BAE Systems, we celebrate the array of skills, experiences, and perspectives our employees bring to the table. For us, differences are a source of strength. We're laser-focused on high performance, and we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where all employees can innovate and thrive. Here, you will not only build your career, but you will also enjoy work-life balance, uncover new experiences, and collaborate with passionate colleagues.

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5. Post your job

   To find range 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 range technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level range 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 range technician job on Zippia to find and recruit range technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with range 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 range technician

   Once you've decided on a perfect range 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 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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How much does it cost to hire a range technician?