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How to hire a spotlight operator

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

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

How to hire a spotlight operator, step by step

To hire a spotlight 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 spotlight operator:

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

    Hiring the perfect spotlight operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of spotlight operator salaries for various roles:

    Type of Spotlight OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Spotlight Operator$11-51
    Satellite Communications OperatorSatellite communications operators take responsibility for the technical aspects of satellite equipment installation, configuration, alignment, and operations. The operators ensure the effective operation of communication lines... Show more$11-51
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Casino Operations
    • Costumes
    Responsibilities:
    • Facilitate schedule and demand maintenance ensuring maintenance and circuit reliability meet DISA standards.
    • Operate diagnostic control system; verify end-to-end circuit continuity and ensure communications links meet DISA standards for reliability.
    • Conduct inventories of all COMSEC material per facility policy and verify proper destruction procedures are being execute and record.
    • Train personnel on installing, operating, and administration of tactical satellite communication equipment - STT and strategic satellite equipment.
    • Operate, troubleshot, and maintain a network strategic satellite communications terminal.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, spotlight operators' average salary in wyoming is 47% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level spotlight operators 78% less than senior-level spotlight operators.
    • Certifications. A spotlight 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 spotlight operator's salary.

    Average spotlight operator salary

    $51,598yearly

    $24.81 hourly rate

    Entry-level spotlight operator salary
    $24,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025
  4. Writing a spotlight operator job description

    A spotlight 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 spotlight operator job description:

    Spotlight operator job description example

    SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE

    Summary of major responsibilities include have working knowledge and operational skills of a follow spot, attend required rehearsals, execute cues as they are called, be alert and focused during rehearsals and performances, assist with work calls to include but not limited to: knowledge of troubleshooting and repairing of conventional and automated lighting instruments, knowledge of troubleshooting and repairing lighting systems.

    ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

    • Responsible for executing cues as called by stage manager and/or lighting director
    • Responsible for working knowledge of all parts of a follow spot
    • Take direction from Head of Lighting with regards to schedules, show operation, work calls
    • Assists in maintaining a very efficient showroom operating structure as benchmarked by other showrooms in the industry.


    • ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

      Positions that have contact with the public require the ability to work in a noisy environment and may be exposed to guests who use tobacco products. Also, non-public contact positions may be required to enter public areas from time to time, in connection with their duties, and may be subject to the same environment.

      Education:

      1. Minimum High School Diploma

      Experience:

      1.Three years stage crew or related experience preferred.

      2. 1 to 3 years of Follow spot experience

      3. Union Local 720 affiliation

      ABILITIES:

      1. Literacy and fluency in English

      2. Excellent guest interaction/interpersonal skills.

      3. Good analytical skill

      4. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written

      5. Must have a strong ability to manage and prioritize a multitude of project

      This list of essential functions, other duties, mental and physical demands, requirements and licenses is not meant to be exhaustive. Management reserves the right to revise job descriptions and to require other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job change.

      As part of our award winning team, you will help to create the romantic ambiance and classic European style that our most prestigious guests have come to expect from Paris Las Vegas. Your stylish and playful attitude will entertain our guests as they enjoy 2,900 guest rooms, 295 opulent suites, 11 restaurants and the Eiffel Tower. If casual sophistication is enticing to you, Paris is the place to be!

      Caesars Entertainment will engage in an interactive process and make reasonable accommodations, as required by law, for individuals with disabilities or to accommodate pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, or where a conflict exists between the position and an individuals' religious beliefs or practices.

      The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position.


    The Company reserves the right to make changes to the job description whenever necessary.

    As a part of the new hire process, finalist candidates will be required to complete a drug test and background check prior to an offer being extended, except where applicable law requires that such pre-employment screening occur post-offer. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants based on race, color, national origin, sex, age over 40, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

    Summary of major responsibilities include have working knowledge and operational skills of a follow spot, attend required rehearsals, execute cues as they are called, be alert and focused during rehearsals and performances, assist with work calls to include but not limited to: knowledge of troubleshooting and repairing of conventional and automated lighting instruments, knowledge of troubleshooting and repairing lighting systems.
  5. Post your job

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

    Recruiting spotlight 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.

    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 spotlight operator

    Once you've selected the best spotlight operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new spotlight 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 spotlight operator?

Before you start to hire spotlight 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 spotlight operators pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for spotlight operators is $51,598 in the US. However, the cost of spotlight operator hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a spotlight operator for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $11 and $51 an hour.

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