How to hire a utility plant operative

How to hire a utility plant operative, step by step

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

What does a utility plant operative do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your utility plant operative job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a utility plant operative for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A utility plant operative's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, utility plant operatives 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of utility plant operatives and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Utility Plant Operative	Description	Hourly rate
   Utility Plant Operative	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.	$13-28
   Water Technician	Typically working at water treatment facilities, a water technician specializes in installing and repairing equipment to ensure the good quality of water and consumers' safety. It is their duty to operate tools and equipment, gather and analyze samples to detect any contaminants, participate in adjusting chemical levels, and perform regular maintenance checks on machines to ensure efficiency... Show more	$13-25
   Water Treatment Technician	Water treatment technicians work every day in observing agricultural plant functions, which includes obtaining the daily requirements and making suitable adjustments to satisfy those demands. They carefully implement process sampling to exactly gauge and keep track of levels... Show more	$13-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plant Equipment
   • Auxiliary Equipment
   • HVAC
   • Plant Operations
   • Control Systems
   • Cooling Towers
   • Air Compressors
   • Water Treatment
   • SCADA
   • Plumbing
   • Plant Maintenance
   • Hot Water
   • Maintenance Procedures
   • Control Room

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain buildings HVAC / lighting automation systems and make adjustments as needed for tenant's comfort and to manage energy consumption.
   • Conduct work in an FDA regulate environment.
   • Enforce and comply with operational guidelines, OSHA and EPA regulations.
   • Maintain compliance with state regulators, cGMP, FDA and insurance company.
   • Last year of employment work include 20 hour each week doing plumbing work exclusively.
   • Perform some plumbing repairs, minor electrical work, some carpentry, plus general maintenance at plant and offices.

   More utility plant operative duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, utility plant operatives' average salary in arkansas is 59% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level utility plant operatives earn 51% less than senior-level utility plant operatives.
   • Certifications. A utility plant operative 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 utility plant operative's salary.

   Average utility plant operative salary

   $42,253yearly

   $20.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level utility plant operative salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average utility plant operative salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$51,373	$25
   2	Colorado	$50,021	$24
   3	Massachusetts	$49,170	$24
   4	Illinois	$48,630	$23
   5	Virginia	$48,137	$23
   6	Pennsylvania	$46,494	$22
   7	Arizona	$44,821	$22
   8	Indiana	$44,302	$21
   9	Minnesota	$42,638	$21
   10	Iowa	$42,533	$20
   11	Ohio	$41,145	$20
   12	Missouri	$37,748	$18
   13	South Carolina	$37,308	$18
   14	Texas	$36,823	$18
   15	Tennessee	$35,603	$17
   16	Georgia	$31,805	$15

   Average utility plant operative salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Yale University	$63,980	$30.76
   2	The University of Chicago	$61,594	$29.61
   3	California Institute of Technology	$58,733	$28.24
   4	University of Massachusetts Boston	$58,499	$28.12
   5	City of Peoria	$55,439	$26.65
   6	Lancaster General Health	$53,419	$25.68
   7	Martin Marietta	$50,290	$24.18	28
   8	Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs	$49,711	$23.90
   9	Novelis	$49,503	$23.80	3
   10	Ardent Mills	$49,056	$23.58	24
   11	Toro	$48,177	$23.16
   12	University of Colorado Boulder	$47,982	$23.07
   13	Shaw Industries	$47,764	$22.96	3
   14	Yaamava' Resort & Casino	$47,494	$22.83
   15	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$47,053	$22.62	2
   16	The Hershey Company	$47,035	$22.61	6
   17	ADM	$46,883	$22.54	56
   18	Oldcastle Infrastructure	$45,634	$21.94	164
   19	Doylestown Health	$45,360	$21.81
   20	East Stroudsburg University	$44,810	$21.54

4. Writing a utility plant operative job description

   A utility plant operative 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 utility plant operative job description:

   Utility plant operative job description example

   The Department of Corrections State Correctional Institution at SCI Dallas is seeking an energetic, motivated person with experience in the safe operation of an institution utility plant. If you have the required experience, we want to hear from you. Apply today!
   
   As a Corrections Utility Plant Operator you would be responsible for the supervision of inmates and maintaining proper security while ensuring work is performed under safe operating procedures for boiler operations, and generation of medium pressure steam, for heat and hot water for institutional needs.
   
   Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
   Work Schedule and Additional Information:
   
   * Full-time employment; 40 hours/week
   * Work hours are 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Pass Days - Color Group Rotation.
   * Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. Please Note: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $43,877 (before taxes).
   * You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
   
   * Three years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a steam or hot water generating plant, or a steam and electric generating plant; or
   * An equivalent combination of experience and training.
   
   Additional Requirement:
   
   * You must be able to perform essential job functions.
   
   Legal Requirements:
   
   * A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
   * You must pass a background investigation.
   
   How to Apply:
   
   * Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
   * If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
   * Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted
   * Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
   
   Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
   
   * 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
   
   The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with utility plant operative 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.

   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 utility plant operative

   Once you've decided on a perfect utility plant operative candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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How much does it cost to hire a utility plant operative?