How to hire a tankerman

How to hire a tankerman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step tankerman hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a tankerman job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new tankerman
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The tankerman 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a tankerman 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 tankerman that fits the bill.

   This list presents tankerman salaries for various positions.

   Type of Tankerman	Description	Hourly rate
   Tankerman	Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. The vessels travel to and from foreign ports across the ocean and to domestic ports along the coasts, across the Great Lakes, and along the country’s many inland waterways.	$11-56
   Bosun	A bosun is responsible for monitoring the deck crew operations, delegating tasks, and inspecting the ship's equipment and facilities to ensure the safety and security of the premises. Bosuns must have excellent technical and mechanical skills to manage the deck's conditions, analyzing weather inconsistencies and geographical positioning... Show more	$10-58
   Deckhand	A deckhand is a seafarer whose role primarily revolves around performing manual tasks, mostly directed by a manager or higher authority. They are mainly responsible for maintaining cleanliness, keeping the machines well-oiled and in good condition, handling cargo, and operating various equipment for navigation and communication... Show more	$10-69

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PIC
   • TWIC
   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • CPR
   • Cleanliness
   • Diesel Engines
   • Booms
   • Safety Policies
   • Minor Maintenance
   • USCG
   • General Maintenance
   • Engine Room
   • Petroleum Products

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate controls and levers for cranes and booms to facilitate liquid cargo transfer.
   • Connect and disconnect hoses using appropriate PPE.
   • Maintain and wear appropriate PPE at all times.
   • Make various tasks, chip and maintain cleanliness of the vessel.
   • Launch and man lifeboats for rescue operations, operate firefighting equipment, participate in fire and lifeboat drills.
   • apply coats of primer, paint, and varnish with rollers and spray guns in accordance with painting surfaces.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, tankermen' average salary in utah is 58% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level tankermen 80% less than senior-level tankermen.
   • Certifications. A tankerman 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 tankerman's salary.

   Average tankerman salary

   $52,133yearly

   $25.06 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level tankerman salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a tankerman job description

   A good tankerman job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a tankerman job description:

   Tankerman job description example

   Canal Barge Company Shore Tankerman are our internal experts in the transfer of liquid cargos.
   
   Qualified candidates must be safety conscious and able to work in a physically demanding environment. Shore Tankerman must be on-call and be able to travel independently. All applicants must have favorable work references and a valid driver's license and must pass a pre-employment physical examination and drug screen. Applicants must live in the Houston, TX area.
   
   Tankermen must hold a U.S. Merchant Mariner's endorsement as a PIC/DL, and must possess a current, valid TWIC.
   
   Primary Job Duties
   
   Conduct transfers of liquid cargos
   
   Follow all safety, environmental, and barge processes to conduct incident-free transfers
   
   Conduct inspections of barges prior to conducting transfers
   
   Perform minor maintenance and repair of barges and pumps as necessary
   
   Inspect all safety and transfer equipment
   
   Perform liaison role with customer dock personnel
   
   Serve as first-line emergency responders
   
   Physical requirements of the job include climbing ladders and stairs, repetitive bending and stooping, lifting heavy marine equipment, and lifting objects from various levels ranging from 10-100 pounds.
   
   Consistent with its duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of recognized hazards, Canal Barge has adopted this policy to safeguard the health and well-being of employees and their families who spend time in its facilities. This policy is intended to comply with all federal, state, and local laws. It is based upon guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") and public health authorities, as applicable.
   
   Before being assigned to work, all new hires for employment with Canal Barge must either (a) be vaccinated for the COVID-19 novel coronavirus; or (b) seek an approved exemption as an accommodation.
   
   Canal Barge Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find tankermen for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your tankerman job on Zippia to find and recruit tankerman 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 tankermen, 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 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 tankerman

   Once you've found the tankerman candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   To prepare for the new tankerman first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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