How to hire a watch engine operator

How to hire a watch engine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your watch engine operator 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 watch engine operator 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 watch engine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, watch engine 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 watch engine operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Watch Engine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Watch Engine Operator	Stationary engineers and boiler operators control stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or for industrial purposes.	$15-44
   Boiler Plant Operator	A boiler plant operator is primarily in charge of operating and monitoring boilers to ensure they function safely and efficiently. Their daily responsibilities often include starting and shutting down boilers, conducting safety and maintenance inspections, tracking the water levels and gauges, checking fuel supplies, and recording daily readings while adhering to the protocols and standards... Show more	$15-31
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOD
   • HVAC

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate as team leader in HVAC department.
   • Perform building inspection and checking operations on HVAC equipment's for leaks, noise or smell.
   • Maintain situational awareness while providing operational support for DOD client in SCIF environment.
   • Operate steam turbine -driven chillers: evaluate weather, capacity, availability and demand trends to initiate applicable procedures.
   • Operate a continuous recovery distillation process.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, watch engine operators' average salary in arkansas is 56% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level watch engine operators earn 66% less than senior-level watch engine operators.
   • Certifications. A watch engine 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 watch engine operator's salary.

   Average watch engine operator salary

   $55,315yearly

   $26.59 hourly rate

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   Entry-level watch engine operator salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

4. Writing a watch engine operator job description

   A watch engine 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 watch engine operator job description:

   Watch engine operator job description example

   Job DescriptionCurrently seeking several NOC Watch Operators in support of a long-term Navy based contract for the Military Sealift Command (MSC) in Pensacola, FL . These positions require a Secret clearance (although if a solid fit and clearable, we may be able to sponsor you for a clearance if you do not currently hold one), a Security + certification (or willingness to take the exam within a reasonable timeframe) and the ability to work onsite at the Naval Base.
   
   This is a shift position, 3pm-11pm.
   
   Overview
   • Maintain 24x7x365 communication guard support for Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships worldwide (approximately 160 ships)
   • Ensure quality control of all naval message traffic and emails into and out of our legacy systems servicing approximately 160 ships
   • Perform troubleshooting on legacy systems
   • Perform database maintenance, certify configuration files, and assist in resolving client problems on Lotus Notes R5
   • Manage the processing of general services messages via Defense Messaging System (DMDS) and C2OIX and ensuring quality control of all incoming and outgoing naval message traffic
   • Supervise the performance of configurations, maintenance, and troubleshoot DMDS
   • Monitor queues hosted on exchange servers
   • Notify the MNOC manager of any malfunctions
   • Manage the resolution of various ships' trouble calls regarding Outlook access, email problems
   • Ensure proper completion of work orders and trouble calls via Remedy
   • Monitor and troubleshoot NIPRNET and SIPRNET operations
   • Assist clients via phone, email, and remote administration in resolving web browsing and email problems, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), and various network issues, password lockouts and resets through Active Directory
   • Verify SolarWinds to facilitate recovery from network outages, improve performance with advanced network and bandwidth monitoring, then provide the government with analysis of the impact to the fleet
   • Supervise support of Next Generation Wideband (NGW) satellite transport, which provides internet, e-mail, and phone service to approximately 100 MSC ships and units
   • Diagnose and resolve ships voice problems, assist the supervisor in troubleshooting system faults, malfunctions, outages, and various ships trouble calls
   • Monitor and troubleshoot cryptographic equipment and Secure Terminal Equipment (STE) and respond to and resolve client problems
   • Perform the loading, data transfer, and destruction of cryptographic equipment/material
   
   Job Requirements

   • Secret clearance OR clearable (sponsorship available!)

   • Willingness to obtain the Security + certification
   • Progressive IT experience (5 years) including at least three (3) projects in technical areas that may include support of the following MSC C4 Systems, but are not limited to: CANES, COMPOSE, ADNS, NGW, SMIS-U, AR1, AR2, SMIS-C, ACG- V1, ACG- V2, PPTS, CENTRIX, GCCS-M, ACAS, MFOM, DHAMS, HBSS, SSAS, GMDSS, TACLANE KG-175, KG-194, KG-84, CYZ-10, and KIV-7, MNOCs

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit watch engine operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 watch engine operator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the watch engine 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 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 watch engine 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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