How to hire a steam plant operator

How to hire a steam plant operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a steam plant operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect steam plant 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.

   This list presents steam plant operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Steam Plant Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Steam Plant Operator	Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.	$15-30
   Control Room Operator	A control room operator is a professional who works in the control room of a power plant to monitor the operations of the plant as well as ensures that everything is properly working. By using computer controls, control room operators must monitor and maintain plant equipment and indicators for proper operation... Show more	$14-29
   Power Plant Operator	A power plant operator is primarily in charge of controlling and maintaining machinery that generates and distributes electricity. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring charts and sensors, gathering and analyzing data, detecting errors and inconsistencies, maintaining daily logs and records of all progress, and performing adjustments as needed... Show more	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • General Maintenance
   • Plant Equipment
   • Water Pumps
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Loaders
   • HVAC
   • Control Systems
   • Water Treatment
   • Plant Operations
   • Water Chemistry
   • Blowers
   • Fuel Oil
   • Lube
   • Valve Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
   • Prepare asphalt mixtures per customer requirements, load and unload tankers and monitor tanks and assist with paperwork
   • Train in adult CPR and general first aid.
   • Insure that lock-out and tag-out procedures are perform safely and in compliance with APS guidelines.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, steam plant operators' average salary in florida is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level steam plant operators 50% less than senior-level steam plant operators.
   • Certifications. A steam plant 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 steam plant operator's salary.

   Average steam plant operator salary

   $45,404yearly

   $21.83 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level steam plant operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a steam plant operator job description

   A steam plant 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 steam plant operator job description:

   Steam plant operator job description example

   Function
   
   Performs a variety of duties in support of the operations of the Steam Plant. Operates residue ask systems and equipment in compliance with permits, regulations and standard operating procedures. Operates overhead bridge crane and assists other staff members as required.
   
   Examples of Work
   
   * Monitors and controls the residue ash system to include all residue conveyers, flyash conditioning equipment, residue chutes, water pumps, magnets and vibrating equipment. Maintains the residue equipment and areas clean and free of fugitive ash and debris.
   * Manages residue ash storage and processing. Performs truck loading operations, to include operating front end loaders, backhoes, and roll off trucks. Receives, stores and loads ash chemicals into the feed hopper. Performs batch mixing and environmental test sampling of the residue ash.
   * Drives roll-off and dump trucks to the city landfill for disposal of the residue ash. Cleans residue trucks and equipment. Inspects trucks daily using the Public Works Vehicle Inspection Report. Operates various types of motor equipment such as fork lifts, light trucks, and other motor equipment.
   * Recovers metals for recycling using fixed drum magnets and hydraulic electric can magnets. Minimizes contamination for the highest value of recovered metals.
   * Manages, pumps, and stores residue area water. Cleans residue conveyers and return plans weekly. Keeps residue chutes free of debris and fire.
   * Operates overhead bridge crane to handle and mix refuse in the storage pit and maintains the proper level of refuse in each furnace charging hopper. Removes large objects from the pit which could cause operating problems.
   * Assists the operators and mechanics as required. Assists or relieves the weigh masters as required. Cleans and paints in the residue ash areas and the basement.
   * Performs other related duties as required.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Graduation from high school or successful completion of the GED. Minimum of one (1) year experience in the operation of heavy automotive equipment or overhead bridge cranes. Knowledge of traffic safety rules and regulations, accident prevention practices; skill in the operation of automotive equipment in all types of weather conditions. Must be familiar with solid waste operations. Must be able to follow oral and written instructions. Must be in good physical condition. . Must be able to obtain a valid Virginia Class I and IV boiler operator's license within 12 months of employment. Holding current license or QRO certification preferred. Applicants must possess a State of Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Must have a satisfactory driver's record based on the City of Hampton's criteria. Must meet the City's required medical standards as provided by a licensed physician and pass a respirator physical. Any person offered employment in this position is required to successfully pass testing for controlled substances. Any person under consideration must successfully complete a background check related to this position.
   
   Features
   
   Performs duties under the direct supervision of the Steam Plant Operating Engineer. Requires working on an eight or twelve hour shift basis around the clock as scheduled, to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Requires working outdoors in all types of weather conditions. Must be able to operate a crane, which is stationed approximately one- hundred feet above the ground. Requires ability to lift up to 50 pounds of heavy items to include boiler parts, grates, etc. Some working conditions may be unpleasant. This is a non-exempt position.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting steam plant 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. 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 steam plant operator

   Once you've selected the best steam plant 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.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new steam plant operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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