Rigger job description.
A rigger sets up and operates lifting and hoisting equipment to move heavy loads safely on construction sites, industrial facilities, or entertainment productions. They calculate load weights, select appropriate rigging gear, and coordinate with crane operators and crew to ensure loads are secured and moved without incident, following strict safety and inspection protocols throughout every lift.
The Rigger job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Rigger Reports to: Rigging Supervisor or Site Superintendent
A rigger sets up and operates lifting and hoisting equipment to move heavy loads safely on construction sites, industrial facilities, or entertainment productions. They calculate load weights, select appropriate rigging gear, and coordinate with crane operators and crew to ensure loads are secured and moved without incident, following strict safety and inspection protocols throughout every lift.
- Inspect and select slings, shackles, chains, and hoisting gear appropriate to each load
- Calculate load weights, center of gravity, and safe working load limits before lifts
- Attach and secure rigging to loads and lifting equipment per approved lift plans
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Rigging Supervisor or Site Superintendent
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Inspect and select slings, shackles, chains, and hoisting gear appropriate to each load
- Calculate load weights, center of gravity, and safe working load limits before lifts
- Attach and secure rigging to loads and lifting equipment per approved lift plans
- Direct crane operators using hand signals or radio communication during lifts
- Inspect rigging equipment routinely and remove damaged gear from service
- Coordinate with site supervisors and crew to plan safe lift sequences
- Maintain barricades and exclusion zones around active lift areas
- Document inspections, lift plans, and incidents per company and OSHA requirements
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- 2+ years of rigging or hoisting experience in construction or industrial settings
- Working knowledge of load calculations and rigging hardware ratings
- Ability to read lift plans, blueprints, and load charts
- Physical ability to work at height and lift heavy rigging equipment
- Certified rigger credential (e.g., NCCCO)
- Crane signal person certification
- Experience in entertainment, oil and gas, or heavy industrial rigging
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Rigger job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Rigger job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Rigging Supervisor or Site Superintendent) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What certifications should a rigger hold?
- Many employers require or prefer a certified rigger credential such as NCCCO, plus site-specific safety training; requirements vary by industry and jurisdiction.
- Does a rigger need crane operating experience?
- Not necessarily to operate a crane, but riggers work closely with crane operators and should understand signaling and load charts.
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This Rigger job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.