How to hire a shovel operator

How to hire a shovel operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step shovel 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 shovel operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new shovel 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 shovel operator you need to hire. Certain shovel 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a shovel operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a shovel operator that fits the bill.

   This list presents shovel operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Shovel Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Shovel Operator	Material moving machine operators use machinery to transport various objects. Some operators move construction materials around building sites or excavate earth from a mine... Show more	$12-26
   Excavator Operator	An excavator operator mainly operates heavy construction machinery and equipment such as forklifts and bulldozers. They typically work under the directives of managers or supervisors, adhering to the safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient workflow... Show more	$15-29
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Shovels
   • Loaders
   • Load Trucks
   • Water Truck
   • Hitachi

   Responsibilities:

   • Programme CNC machine for component placement and trigonometry assessment of circuitry board.
   • Attend CPR classes and obtain certification

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, shovel operators' average salary in florida is 34% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level shovel operators earn 53% less than senior-level shovel operators.
   • Certifications. A shovel operator 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 a shovel operator's salary.

   Average shovel operator salary

   $38,135yearly

   $18.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level shovel operator salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 13, 2026

4. Writing a shovel operator job description

   A shovel 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. Below, you can find an example of a shovel operator job description:

   Shovel operator job description example

   **Freeport-McMoRan** is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. We operate large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold, and molybdenum. The company has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry. Freeport-McMoRan is one of the world's largest publicly traded copper producers, the world's largest producer of molybdenum and a significant gold producer. We have a long and successful history of conducting our business in a safe, highly efficient and socially-responsible manner.
   
   We have the assets, the talent, the drive and the financial strength to provide attractive and rewarding careers of our employees. We encourage you to take the time to explore the opportunity to advance your career at Freeport-McMoRan.
   **Description**
   
   Performs duties related to the operation of hydraulic and/or electric shovels for the purpose of the safe, correct, and timely loading of haulage equipment at a skilled level.
   
   + Responsible for creating and maintaining proper grade on benches and drop cuts and maintaining proper slopes when digging finals
   
   + Responsible for the safe operation and management of shovel loading area
   
   + Responsible for the knowledge and safe performance of the following procedures: start-up and shut-down, mounting and dismounting, Lock-Out Tag-Out Try-Out (LOTOTO), emergency, run-a-way, handling power cable, setting and releasing brakes, horn signals, high wall safety, moving and set-up, loading dispatch, grade control, tooth metrics, dipper trips, and working with auxiliary equipment
   
   + Responsible for knowing equipment components such as: bucket, hoist cables, boom suspension cables, hoist drum/gear case, swing motor/gear case, circle gear, power cable, dipper trip system, crowd belts, and saddle blocks/sticks, tracks
   
   + Responsible for performing the following tasks: maintaining a clean loading area, controlling tails, creating good set-ups, digging sequence for loading on both sides, digging sequence for loading on single side, moving when swing arc exceeds ninety degrees, dipper fill factor, deep bank penetration without stalling, establishing and maintaining grade, and moving cable towers
   
   + Responsible for not jacking boom and operating shovel without slack in hoist ropes
   
   + Responsible for knowing equipment maintenance and practices that reduce component damage and wear
   
   + Responsible for knowing shovel control system/gauges and online GPS (CAES) system
   
   + Operates mobile equipment
   
   + Communicates through computer dispatching system or two-way radio
   
   + Performs pre-shift inspection of equipment
   
   + May perform minor maintenance & operations support activities
   
   + Perform other duties as required
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Minimum Qualifications**
   
   + Six (6) months of mobile equipment operating experience
   
   **Preferred**
   
   + High School diploma or GED
   
   + Experience with 4100 and 2800 shovels
   
   **Criteria/ Conditions**
   
   + Ability to understand and apply verbal and written work and safety-related instructions and procedures given in English
   
   + Ability to communicate in English with respect to job assignments, job procedures, and applicable safety standards
   
   + Must be able to work in a potentially stressful environment
   
   + Work is performed in a mine or manufacturing plant setting, which may include exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity, moving mechanical parts, risk of electrical shock, toxic chemicals, explosives, fumes or airborne particles
   
   + While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, sit, demonstrate manual dexterity, climb stairs and ladders, work on uneven work surfaces and work on elevated platforms
   
   + Frequently may be required to lift up to fifty (50) pounds during the course of the work day
   
   + May be required to work a non-standard schedule which may include shift work (other than day shift) in a 24/7/365 operation
   
   + Personal protective equipment is required on a regular basis, including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, safety footwear, and, as needed: respirator, rubber steel-toed boots, gloves, fall protection, protective clothing, goggles, face shield and other protective equipment as required
   
   + Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment through the use of mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going random drug testing as allowed by state laws
   
   Freeport-McMoRan has reviewed the jobs at its various office and operating sites and determined that many of these jobs require employees to perform essential job functions that pose a direct threat to the safety or health of the employees performing these tasks or others. Accordingly, the Company has designated the following positions as safety-sensitive:
   
   + Site-based positions, or positions which require unescorted access to site-based operational areas, which are held by employees who are required to receive MSHA, OSHA, DOT, HAZWOPER and/or Hazard Recognition Training; or
   
   + Positions which are held by employees who operate equipment, machinery or motor vehicles in furtherance of performing the essential functions of their job duties, including operating motor vehicles while on Company business or travel (for this purpose "motor vehicles" includes Company owned or leased motor vehicles and personal motor vehicles used by employees in furtherance of Company business or while on Company travel); or
   
   + Positions which Freeport-McMoRan has designated as safety sensitive positions in the applicable job or position description and which upon further review continue to be designated as safety-sensitive based on an individualized assessment of the actual duties performed by a specifically identified employee.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veteran/Disability
   
   **Nearest Major Market:** Safford
   
   **Job Segment:** Hydraulics, Inspector, Bank, Banking, Electrical, Engineering, Quality, Finance

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right shovel operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with shovel operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit shovel operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting shovel operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 shovel operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect shovel 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.

   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 shovel 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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