How to hire a utility operator

How to hire a utility operator, step by step

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

What does a utility operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the utility operator you need to hire. Certain utility 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?

   Yes

   No

   A utility operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, utility operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents utility operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Utility Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Utility Operator	Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators manage a system of machines, often through the use of control boards, to transfer or treat water or wastewater.	$13-24
   Stationary Engineer	Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines... Show more	$21-51
   Wastewater Treatment Operator	A wastewater treatment operator is responsible for overseeing the daily operations in water treatment plans, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their duties include coordinating with different staff, operating controls and systems, gathering water samples, maintaining the cleanliness of all areas and equipment, and monitoring the progress of all operations... Show more	$15-30

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Standards
   • Safety Procedures
   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Basic Math
   • Plant Operations
   • Safety Rules
   • Troubleshoot
   • Math
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Pallets
   • PPE
   • Quality Checks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage HVAC system and air handling system as far positive pressure systems and negative pressure systems.
   • Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
   • Snow removal equipment: shovels, scrappers, blowers, spreaders.
   • Maintain equipment such as mowers, trimmers, trucks and trailers.
   • Record cup weights and line down-time, all paperwork require, including HACCP.
   • Operate ZTR and push mowers, along with string trimmers and hedge trimmers.

   More utility operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your utility operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A utility operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a utility operator in Georgia may be lower than in Idaho, and an entry-level utility operator usually earns less than a senior-level utility operator. Additionally, a utility operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average utility operator salary

   $38,693yearly

   $18.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level utility operator salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average utility operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maine	$56,373	$27
   2	California	$54,299	$26
   3	Colorado	$49,120	$24
   4	New York	$46,734	$22
   5	Oregon	$45,443	$22
   6	Iowa	$44,983	$22
   7	Nevada	$44,881	$22
   8	Nebraska	$44,492	$21
   9	Hawaii	$41,718	$20
   10	Indiana	$40,223	$19
   11	Michigan	$39,057	$19
   12	Missouri	$37,350	$18
   13	Ohio	$37,142	$18
   14	Florida	$36,538	$18
   15	Kansas	$36,322	$17
   16	Tennessee	$34,783	$17
   17	Kentucky	$34,207	$16
   18	Texas	$33,429	$16
   19	North Carolina	$32,502	$16
   20	Georgia	$32,324	$16

   Average utility operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Dignity Health	$48,463	$23.30	2
   2	MDU Resources	$46,662	$22.43
   3	CITGO Petroleum	$46,018	$22.12
   4	Harvard University	$45,557	$21.90
   5	Anheuser-Busch	$45,370	$21.81	12
   6	Dairy Farmers of America	$45,174	$21.72	100
   7	Nestlé	$45,019	$21.64	94
   8	Steel Dynamics	$44,774	$21.53	8
   9	Univision Communications	$44,375	$21.33	2
   10	Basin Electric Power Cooperative	$43,976	$21.14	1
   11	BD	$43,963	$21.14	3
   12	Bunge	$43,881	$21.10	23
   13	Schreiber Foods	$43,636	$20.98	17
   14	Schnitzer Steel	$43,385	$20.86
   15	Daimler Trucks North America	$43,373	$20.85
   16	University of Houston	$43,230	$20.78
   17	University of Nebraska System	$43,181	$20.76
   18	University of Nebraska Medical Center	$42,702	$20.53	2
   19	Novo Nordisk	$42,638	$20.50	1
   20	CaroMont Health	$42,607	$20.48	1

4. Writing a utility operator job description

   A utility 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 utility operator job description:

   Utility operator job description example

   $250.00 sign on bonus

   
   

   Brock & Company is the premier provider of contract food management to corporations and private and independent schools throughout the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Our aim is to deliver outstanding quality food services exceeding our clients' expectations every day. With an extensive array of clients, Brock & Company has a formula for success that is simple. We focus on top quality products combined with people who have a passion for food and service. Brock & Company provides a family-owned, corporate supported, financially sound organization that is committed to our clients and associates and is always striving for excellence.

   
   

   As a member of the Brock team, you will experience a work schedule that allows for a quality of life. Our food programs are dynamic, the menus cutting edge and creative. We welcome your input to implement, solve problems, and help drive these programs to success. You can influence the outcome, and we will give you the tools to be successful. Our programs have made significant improvements in the daily work lives of our customers and clients by providing healthy, nutritious menus at all meals.

   
   

   The Utility Associate

   • Will maintain a clean and organized workstation.
   • Includes washing equipment and service ware, receiving and distributing deliveries, proper sanitation of the kitchen and dining room, trash removal and floor maintenance.
   • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
   • Lifting and moving of food, food containers and other non-food items from floor position to no higher than one's own height.
   • Adhere to client and company protocols related to COVID-19 workplace safety and sanitation standards.
   • The above shall be achieved while providing exceptional customer service in a courteous, helpful, and friendly manner.

   Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

   • Washing, sanitizing, and maintenance of food production equipment & service ware determined by the supervisor and the cleaning schedule.
   • The removal of trash and waste, as determined by supervisor, to a determined location.
   • Maintain a clean and safe work area via supervisor instruction and applicable health, safety, and food handling regulations.
   • Receive, unpack, unwrap, rotate, & stow deliveries into appropriate refrigerators, freezers, and storerooms via supervisor's instructions.

   Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V Benefits Eligible

   Background Check and Required // Uniforms and Meals Provided

   Please respond with resume or letter of intent.

   
   

   PM21

   Requirements:

   
   

   
   
   

   PI194062564

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with utility 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 utility operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the utility 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.

   To prepare for the new utility 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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How much does it cost to hire a utility operator?