Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
No experience is needed to work as a refuse collector, but those with prior work experience will increase their chances of landing a job, getting promoted, and possibly earning higher pay.
Refuse workers need to be physically fit and able to lift heavy objects. Sometimes a health examination is required for employment. Employers look for workers who are reliable and hardworking.
Experience in driving a truck and in loading and unloading heavy material is helpful. Many refuse workers, especially those in metropolitan areas, are members of a union such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Those who work for private firms might not be unionized.
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