How to hire a tunneling machine operator

How to hire a tunneling machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The tunneling machine operator 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

   Hiring the perfect tunneling machine 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of tunneling machine operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Tunneling Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Tunneling Machine Operator		$11-17
   Blasting Production Technician	A blasting production technician is primarily responsible for the installation and upkeep of production equipment and tools. They are in charge of inspecting machinery for any damages, performing upgrades or adjustments, repairing or fixing components, and maintaining records... Show more	$12-22
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Control Room
   • Dryers

   Responsibilities:

   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.
   • Record statistics on ISO documentation, and coordinate with machine technicians and electrical technicians to keep machines operating at maximum efficiency.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, tunneling machine operators' average salary in south carolina is 24% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level tunneling machine operators earn 36% less than senior-level tunneling machine operators.
   • Certifications. A tunneling machine 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 tunneling machine operator's salary.

   Average tunneling machine operator salary

   $14.11hourly

   $29,347 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level tunneling machine operator salary

   $23,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a tunneling machine operator job description

   A tunneling machine 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 tunneling machine operator job description:

   Tunneling machine operator job description example

   Performs work as part of a team in an industrial laundry facility. Responsible for the safe, expeditious, and accurate handling of merchandise into and/or out of the laundry facility.
   * Responsibilities/Essential Functions:
   
   Prepares their work station; Transfers hangers from hanger rack to shirt or pant hanging aid; For shirts, flips hanger up on to hanger aid, removes shirt from tub or table and dresses shirt on hanger, pulls sleeves out (if needed); For pants, removes pant from tub or table, grasps the zipper end while stretches the waist band with the other hand, applies one brisk shake to allow pant crease to fall in place, lays the pant over the hanger aid, advances the hanger up to the slotted area, and removes the pant from the hanging aid; Identifies any merchandise repairs not meeting specified quality standards in terms of tears, holes, stains, ink spots, torn/worn labels/emblems, or missing buttons with the application of a twist tie to the hanger of item that needs repair; Ensures that garment is placed on an open conveyor pick; Maintains safe and clean work environment, and observes best practices in all production activities; Other duties as assigned
   
   * Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
   
   Ability to understand all required training, written, and verbal instructions; Working knowledge of basic math skills; Good verbal and/or written communication skills; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Ability to meet attendance schedule
   
   * Working Environment/Safety Requirements:
   
   Work is performed in a warehouse setting and regularly exposed to outside weather conditions, extreme heat and cold conditions as well as dust and noise. Work is based on a shift schedule, and may include weekends. Overtime required as needed. Physical Requirements Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Position involves repetitive motions over the duration of an entire shift; Requires bending, reaching, pulling, twisting, and lifting; Requires the use of hands for grasping and other manipulations; Requires standing and walking for long periods of time.
   
   * Experience:
   * Travel Requirements:
   * Education:
   
   High school degree or equivalent preferred
   
   * License Requirements/ Certifications:

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with tunneling machine 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.

   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 tunneling machine operator

   Once you've found the tunneling machine operator 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new tunneling machine operator 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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