OCCUPATION: REFUSE COLLECTOR

Name: George Field

Company: Great Western Reclamation Inc.

Thumbs up: “I meet a lot of nice people. I also go in to work early and get off early.”

Thumbs down: “There’s really nothing bad about it. I’ve gotten used to (the smell) after 27 years.”

Next step: Promotional opportunities are limited, but refuse collectors can advance to trash truck driver or supervisor.

Advice: “You have to be trained first, and you have to learn the proper way to do it. It’s a pretty dangerous job if you’re not properly trained because everything is hydraulic and automatic.”

Salary range: Between $25,000 and $30,000 a year

Fringe benefits: Full medical insurance, including optometry and dental, as provided by the union.

Hours: “I work about 10 to 11 hours a day Monday through Friday and sometimes on Saturday.”

Educational and training requirements: High school diploma is preferred but not required. Training provided upon hiring.

Size of work force: There are about 640 refuse collectors in the county.

Expected demand: Projections indicate an increase as development and population increase in the county.

Job description: Drive a garbage truck to collection points along a designated route to pick up refuse that is later deposited in landfill areas.

For more information: Contact a private trash collection company or an office of the state Employment Development Department. In Orange County, the offices are at 900 E. Pacifico Ave., Anaheim, (714) 978-7421; 233 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, (714) 680-7800; and 1001 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 558-4294.

Source: Employment Development Department, Great Western Reclamation Inc.