How to hire a Dockmaster

How to hire a dockmaster, step by step

Here's a step-by-step dockmaster hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a dockmaster job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dockmaster
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The dockmaster 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

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

   This list presents dockmaster salaries for various positions.

   Type Of Dockmaster	Description	Hourly Rate
   Dockmaster		$12-49
   Shipping Supervisor	A shipping supervisor is responsible for monitoring the goods and services, ensuring its quality and quantity before packaging and shipment processing to avoid delays and possible client complaints. Shipping supervisors manage the shipment schedule, including verification of the location and determining correct charges... Show More	$16-31
   Shipping And Receiving Supervisor	A shipping and receiving supervisor streamlines the shipping process for a more efficient company. The supervisors oversee and maintain the supplies and inventory through product receipt, storage, and delivery... Show More	$13-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Reservations
   • Customer Service
   • Boats
   • VHF
   • POS
   • Logistics

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and supervise logistics with multiple vendors ensuring accurate and timely delivery of all vehicles.
   • Handle reservations for all dock slips.
   • Handle scheduling and logistics of events.
   • Answer calls for reservations and or rescue missions.
   • Make nightly deposits and operate a POS system.
   • Schedule events and service as well as temporary docking of boats; process sales and inventory of parts and supplies.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, dockmasters' average salary in idaho is 56% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level dockmasters 75% less than senior-level dockmasters.
   • Certifications. A dockmaster 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 dockmaster's salary.

   Average dockmaster salary

   $52,272yearly

   $25.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level dockmaster salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated March 31, 2025

4. Writing a Dockmaster Job Description

   A dockmaster 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 dockmaster job description:

   Dockmaster job description example

   The employee is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 70 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

   Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work

   This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. This position periodically requires long hours and weekend work. Regular and predictable on-site attendance is an essential function and a prerequisite to perform other essential functions of the position.

   Travel

   Travel is primarily local during the business day, although periodic out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.

   Required Education and Experience

   1. High school degree or equivalent.

   Preferred Education or Experience

   Education based on requirements that are job-related and consistent with the business necessity.

   1. Experience in a Shipyard/ Military setting.

   Additional Eligibility Qualifications

   • None

   AAP/EEO Statement

   Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and continues to be, a fundamental principle at Lyon Shipyard, Inc. It is the company's policy that opportunities be available to all persons without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or any other category protected under state or local law. This policy applies to employees and applicants and to all phases of employment including hiring, promotion, demotion, and treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and termination of employment.

   Lyon Shipyard is proud to be a drug free workplace.

   Other Duties

   Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting dockmasters requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 dockmaster

   Once you have selected a candidate for the dockmaster 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new dockmaster. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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