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How to hire a refiner operator

Refiner operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring refiner operators in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a refiner 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 refiner operator to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a refiner operator, step by step

To hire a refiner operator, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a refiner operator:

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

    First, determine the employments status of the refiner operator you need to hire. Certain refiner operator 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?

    A refiner operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, refiner operators 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 refiner operator salaries for various roles:

    Type of Refiner OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Refiner OperatorWater and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.$13-26
    Water Treatment TechnicianWater treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels... Show more$13-32
    Water TechnicianTypically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more$13-25
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Control Room
    • GMP
    Responsibilities:
    • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
    • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
    • Conduct rig movements during drilling operations.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, refiner operators' average salary in arkansas is 52% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level refiner operators 47% less than senior-level refiner operators.
    • Certifications. A refiner operator 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 refiner operator's salary.

    Average refiner operator salary

    $39,975yearly

    $19.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level refiner operator salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 27, 2025
  4. Writing a refiner operator job description

    A refiner 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 refiner operator job description:

    Refiner operator job description example

    Job Level: Hourly
    Job Type: Hourly Full Time

    Want to build a stronger, more sustainable future and cultivate your career? Join Cargill's global team of 155,000 employees who are committed to safe, responsible and sustainable ways to nourish the world. This position is in Cargill’s food ingredients and bio-industrial business, where we anticipate trends around taste, nutrition and safety to innovate and provide solutions to manufacturers, retailers and foodservice companies.


    Job type: Full time
    Shift: 12 hours shift 4 days ON & 4 days OFF
    Compensation: $21.82/hr + $0.55/hr night shift


    Recommended for all production roles:

    • Understanding and adhering to all safety rules and regulations.
    • Maintaining a safe and clean work environment.
    • Maintain a food safe work environment by maintaining hygienic work conditions.
    • Operate all department transport equipment including forklifts, hand trucks, mobile power equipment.
    • Comply with all GMP, safety, sanitation and any other plant rules as established by the company.
    • Follow all Food Safety (HACCP), & GMPs policies.
    • Utilize cleaning tools and supplies.
    • Document completed tasks using the master sanitation schedule.
    • Must be required to wear gloves while performing duties involving potential direct contact with the product.
    • Other duties as assigned.


    Requirements:

    • Must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.
    • Must be 18 years or older.
    • Must be able to read, write and perform basic math and have keyboarding skills for data input.
    • Must have a High School diploma / GED equivalent.
    • Must be able to complete basic troubleshooting on automated robotic equipment.
    • Ability to understand and communicate in English (verbal/written).
    • Able to work with different temperature and humidity conditions in the work area that can vary from temperatures ranging of 65 degrees F up to or exceeding 100 degrees, and very humid (near or over 80%) to ultra-low humidity (less than 40%).
    • Must be able to work with noise levels up to 115 decibels requiring the use of hearing protection for most of the day.
    • Ability to regularly walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs and lift a minimum of 50 pounds.
    • Ability to work overtime including holidays, nights, weekends or different shifts in a Union environment.

    Considered candidates will receive a phone call from a (952) area code. Please note that this position does not include relocation reimbursement.

    US Covid-19 Vaccination Update: Cargill highly encourages vaccinations but does not mandate at this time. Upon hire, you will be asked to provide your vaccination status, and if unvaccinated or if you choose not to disclose, you would be expected to follow Cargill’s safety protocols for unvaccinated employees (i.e., mask mandates, and social distancing).


    Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability/Vet.

  5. Post your job

    To find refiner operators 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 refiner operators they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level refiner operators 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 refiner operator job on Zippia to find and recruit refiner 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 refiner 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 refiner operator

    Once you've decided on a perfect refiner operator 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.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new refiner operator. 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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How much does it cost to hire a refiner operator?

Before you start to hire refiner operators, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire refiner operators pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

You can expect to pay around $39,975 per year for a refiner operator, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for refiner operators in the US typically range between $13 and $26 an hour.

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