Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

• Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
• Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
• Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
• Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
• Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
• Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
• Fill out defective equipment reports.
• Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
• Check road or weather conditions to determine how routes will be affected.
• Clean trucks or compactor bodies after routes have been completed.
• Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors.