How to hire a transfer operator

How to hire a transfer operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a transfer 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

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

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

   Type of Transfer Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Transfer Operator		$12-25
   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
   Service Operator	A service operator is responsible for providing the best customer service by responding to the callers' inquiries and concerns, depending on which business they are employed. Service operators process callers' requests by directing them to specific resources or coordinate with the appropriate person to resolve callers' issues... Show more	$9-34

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Rig
   • DOT
   • OSHA
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Rules
   • PPE
   • Hoists
   • Wire Transfers
   • OFAC
   • FX
   • Water Pumps
   • Customer Accounts
   • Computer System
   • Water Lines

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Ensure timely response in changes make by management.
   • Report any facts concerning vehicles maintenance, to management.
   • Serve as safety steward between company, union, and OSHA conducting monthly safety tours at plants.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
   • Take field readings to ensure the DCS and field gauges are accurate.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, transfer operators' average salary in north carolina is 39% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level transfer operators 53% less than senior-level transfer operators.
   • Certifications. A transfer 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 transfer operator's salary.

   Average transfer operator salary

   $37,335yearly

   $17.95 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level transfer operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a transfer operator job description

   A transfer 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 transfer operator job description:

   Transfer operator job description example

   The Opportunity:
   
   As a Facility Tech III (Liquid Transfer Operator), you would performs hands on operations within the warehouse associated with load/unload Tankers, Load/unload Railcars, conduct tank to tank transfers, drive yard spotter truck, dirve trackbobile to railcars at spur and completing paperwork for waste tracking movement. This provides opportunity of growth within the company! We are looking for a reliable individual who doesn't mind physically intensive work.
   
   Why work for Clean Harbors?
   
   * Health and Safety is our #1 priority and we live it 3-6-5!
   * Competitive wages
   * Comprehensive health benefits coverage after 30 days of full-time employment
   * Opportunities for growth and development for all the stages of your career
   * Generous paid time off, company paid training and tuition reimbursement;
   * Group 401k with company matching component
   * Positive and safe work environments
   
   Key Responsibilities:
   
   * Ensuring that Health and Safety is the number one priority by complying with all safe work practices, policies, and processes and acting in a safe manner at all times;
   * Performs hands on operations such as drum pumping, drum dumping, tank farm operations and offloading vans;
   * Performs drum storage, drum repacks and use of drum scanner;
   * Operate a forklift when needed;
   * Completes paperwork for waste tracking movement.
   
   What does it take to work for Clean Harbors?
   
   * High school diploma or equivalent required
   * 6+ months related work experience
   * Ability to work nights and a rotating shift as needed.
   * Ability to work in adverse environments (cold/heat)
   * Fork lift and DOT training preferred
   * Accountability and punctuality
   
   Join our team today! To learn more about our company, and to apply online for this exciting opportunity, visit us at www.cleanharbors.com.
   
   Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Everywhere industry meets environment, Clean Harbors is one-site, providing premier environmental, energy and industrial services. We are solving tough problems through innovation and proven methodology - come be part of the solution with us.
   
   We thank all those interested in joining the Clean Harbors team; however only those that complete the online application and meet the minimum job qualifications will be considered for this role.
   
   Clean Harbors is a Military & Veteran friendly company.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find transfer operators 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 transfer operator job on Zippia to find and recruit transfer operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with transfer operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 transfer operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the transfer operator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new transfer 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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