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Garbage Picker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Haines City

Solid Waste Coordinator

Haines City, FL · On-site

$18.39 - $26.64/hr

Assists with vendor contracts for residential and commercial garbage pick-up, recycling and street sweeping operations. Responsible for exceptional customer service. * Assists with tracking of the ...

City of Hoover

Custodian

Hoover, AL · On-site

$17.04 - $26.45/hr

... garbage; picks up trash from outside of buildings; sweeps, mops and dusts floors, strips floor of old wax, applies new wax and buffs; performs related duties as required.

City of Hoover

Custodian

Hoover, AL

$17.04/hr

... garbage; picks up trash from outside of buildings; sweeps, mops and dusts floors, strips floor of old wax, applies new wax and buffs; performs related duties as required. Employment Type: FULL_TIME

City of Hoover

Custodian

Hoover, AL · On-site

$17.04 - $26.45/hr

... garbage; picks up trash from outside of buildings; sweeps, mops and dusts floors, strips floor of old wax, applies new wax and buffs; performs related duties as required.

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Dishwasher (FT)

Acme, MI · On-site

$12.75 - $16.25/hr

Maintain garbage pick ups throughout banquet kitchen and the bakery * Maintain cardboard recycling throughout the day * Pick up bakery dishes, wash and put away throughout the day. * Clean all ...

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How much do garbage picker jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for garbage picker in the United States is $16.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are garbage pickers and what do they do?

Garbage pickers, also known as waste pickers or sanitation workers, are individuals who collect, sort, and remove waste materials from public and private spaces. Their main responsibility is to keep communities clean by picking up trash, recyclables, and sometimes hazardous materials from streets, parks, and other areas. Garbage pickers often help in separating recyclable items from general waste, contributing to environmental sustainability. This job can be physically demanding and requires attention to safety and hygiene. In many places, garbage pickers play a crucial role in waste management and recycling processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Garbage Picker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Garbage Picker, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of waste sorting and safety procedures, often requiring no formal education but sometimes a high school diploma. Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE), waste collection tools, and sometimes handheld data devices is typical in this role. Reliability, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are important soft skills that help individuals excel. These abilities ensure efficient, safe waste collection and contribute to public health and environmental cleanliness.

What is the difference between Garbage Picker vs Waste Collector?

AspectGarbage PickerWaste Collector
CredentialsNone typically requiredMay require a valid driver’s license
Work EnvironmentResidential or commercial areas, often manual laborOn-road, operating trucks, handling larger waste loads
Industry UsageCommonly used in local sanitation servicesUsed by municipal waste management companies

Garbage Picker and Waste Collector roles often overlap, but Waste Collectors usually operate larger vehicles and handle bigger waste loads, often requiring a driver’s license. Garbage Pickers typically perform manual collection in neighborhoods. Both roles are essential in waste management and share similar credentials and work environments, but Waste Collectors tend to have more responsibilities related to vehicle operation and larger-scale collection.

What are some common challenges faced by garbage pickers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Garbage pickers often encounter challenges such as exposure to hazardous materials, unpredictable weather conditions, and physically demanding tasks. To address these, employers typically provide protective gear, safety training, and guidelines for handling dangerous items. Teamwork and clear communication also play a key role in ensuring safety and efficiency while on route. Staying vigilant and following established protocols helps garbage pickers minimize risks and maintain a safer work environment.
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What states have the most Garbage Picker jobs? States with the most job openings for Garbage Picker jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Garbage Picker jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Garbage Picker jobs are:
Garbage Picker jobs near you
Solid Waste Coordinator

Solid Waste Coordinator

City of Haines City

Haines City, FL • On-site

$18.39 - $26.64/hr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

***Position open until August 05, 2026***
The City of Haines City is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for all positions equally without regard to their race, sex, age, color, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. The City of Haines City is a Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants who complete the initial screening process will be required to complete a pre-employment drug screen and physical. Police Department applicants will also be required to take a Polygraph Examination. All information provided by an applicant will be verified for truthfulness and accuracy if a conditional offer of employment is made. Applications and other submitted documents are considered public records.
Salary range is provided to show the min to max compensation for a position. It is not the basis for or guarantee of a starting salary.
Position Function:
Under the direction of the Public Works Operations Manager, performs duties necessary to support the daily operations of the Solid Waste Division to ensure the proper planning and management of garbage pick-up services and recycling initiative, and customer service requests. Responsible for a variety of field and administrative office work to coordinate with the Code Compliance Division to enforce the City's Code of Ordinances regarding solid waste, right-of-way and environmental regulations and violations. Performs duties necessary to achieve Department and Organizational goals, objectives, and investigative responses and initiatives
Essential Duties:
  1. Performs duties necessary to support the daily operations of the Solid Waste Division to ensure the proper planning and management of garbage pick-up services and recycling initiative, and customer service requests. Performs duties necessary to coordinate with the Code Compliance Division to enforce the City's Code of Ordinances regarding solid waste, right-of-way and environmental regulations and violations. Responsible for facilitating community relations. Maintains sound knowledge of modern code enforcement principles and techniques.
  2. Assists with vendor contracts for residential and commercial garbage pick-up, recycling and street sweeping operations. Responsible for exceptional customer service.
  3. Assists with tracking of the Solid Waste Division's annual budget. Responsible for expenditures necessary and required to complete Division projects; the procurement of goods and services.
  4. Assists with the recovery debris planning and management. Responsible for providing appropriate community referral services, and assist with the city clean-up projects.
  5. Provides staff assistance to the Public Works Director for departmental projects and special assignments. Assists and coordinate with the Police Department in reporting pot holes, and street light outage to Transportation Division. Responsible for representing the City on Solid Waste related advisory boards and meetings, and programs.
  6. Performs duties necessary to respond to and resolve customer complaints; and to assist Code Compliance officers in the performance of their duties. Duties include conducting research relating to property ownership, permits, codes and laws. Writes reports and ensures timeliness of reports, inspections and utilize computer equipment and software programs. Maintains confidential information.
  7. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Environment:
Duties are performed primarily within an outdoor environment or setting. Possible exposure to electrical and chemical hazards; vibration; loud noise; inclement weather; and dust, allergens and mold.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
  • Required knowledge and experience is normally obtained through the completion of a curriculum resulting in either a High School Diploma or GED, and three (3) to five (5) years' work related experience are required. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may be considered, unless otherwise subject to any requirements set forth in law or regulation.

  • Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) certification is preferred. Work experience may be substituted for preferred certification.

  • Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE) certifications and FEMA Incident Command System training desired.

  • Work requires the ability to read letters, memos, contracts, professional and industry literature, spreadsheets and other job-related analysis.

  • Ability to perform or learn basic mathematical equations in the performance of tasks and projects.

  • Work requires the ability to write letters, memos, and contracts.

  • Work is widely varied, involving analyzing and evaluating many complex and significant variables.

  • Must be able to monitor and assess operations, workload, projects, and vendor performance.

  • Should be competent in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word and Power Point software.

  • Must be able to research, compile and analyze data, and then present findings to management in an acceptable format.

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, other Federal, State and local governmental representatives, contractors, consultants, vendors, media and the general public is essential.

  • Must exhibit attention to detail, accuracy, and safety.

  • Must be able to communicate and present oneself in a professional manner.

  • Ability to read maps, blue prints and schematics.

  • Ability to read, interpret and follow technical information, directives, manuals, memos, reports and other work-related materials.

  • Ability to work under high demands, short time constraints, and pressure of a fast-paced work environment.

  • Individual must understand practical application of NIMS/ICS principles and tactics as they relate to the code compliance and apply safety techniques within a field and office setting.

  • Must be able to use various software applications such as Microsoft Office, Power DMS, and IWORQ-code enforcement program. Individual has the ability to use a calculator, telephone, copier, facsimile and scanner.

  • Conduct daily and monthly inspections maintaining equipment cleanliness and operational readiness, perform inspection and re-inspections for compliance of City's Code of Ordinance.

Other Requirements:
  • Must possess a Valid Florida Class E driver's license.

  • Must pass applicable pre-employment testing and background and credit checks.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

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