Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Street Cleaner- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Working Life
Street cleaners keep our roads and urban areas clear of litter and other debris. They collect waste from bins in public places and use brushes and shovels to clear up messy and dirty areas. Sometimes they use automatic, hand-operated cleaning machines to clean pavements and roadside gutters.
In parks and green areas, they brush up fallen leaves and other natural debris and use litter-picking tools to collect discarded paper. They put the refuse in sacks and may use a van to transport these to a waste disposal site, for treatment by other operatives. They use litter pickers and use a pressure washer to clean paved areas and to clear ice and snow.
Street cleaners are sometimes called on to help with other cleaning tasks. In a public toilet, they may clean basins, toilets and floors. Street cleaners may have to keep simple records, like vehicle mileage reports.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Add specified amounts of chemicals to equipment at required times to maintain solution levels and concentrations.
- Observe machine operations, gauges, or thermometers, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions.
- Set controls to regulate temperature and length of cycles, and start conveyors, pumps, agitators, and machines.
- Drain, clean, and refill machines or tanks at designated intervals, using cleaning solutions or water.
- Operate or tend machines to wash and remove impurities from items such as barrels or kegs, glass products, tin plate surfaces, dried fruit, pulp, animal stock, coal, manufactured articles, plastic, or rubber.
- Record gauge readings, materials used, processing times, or test results in production logs.
- Examine and inspect machines to detect malfunctions.
- Measure, weigh, or mix cleaning solutions, using measuring tanks, calibrated rods or suction tubes.
- Draw samples for laboratory analysis, or test solutions for conformance to specifications, such as acidity or specific gravity.
- Adjust, clean, and lubricate mechanical parts of machines, using hand tools and grease guns.
Qualities - Street Cleaner
You must be able to put up with all weather conditions since you will be working outdoors.
As much of the working day is unsupervised and involves working alone, you must be reliable and able to use common sense to overcome cleaning problems, such as dealing with minor oil spills. Being fit and active are also important factors.
The work is often dirty and messy so you must be prepared to get your hands dirty. You should be able to work to a routine.
The work can involve bending and lifting, and can sometimes be quite demanding, so you should be physically fit.
You will need a basic technical understanding of the cleaning machinery, such as static compacting machines and automatic road-sweeping machines, which you will operate.
As a street cleaner, you need to be aware of, and use, safe working practices. Working in the local community means that you must be able to get on with the general public.
Interests - Street Cleaner
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Entry / Progression - Street Cleaner
This is an entry level job, but may require key safety skills certs to secure employment.
Key Skill Certs:
- Manual Handling
- SafePass
- CleanPass
These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET CourseFinder.
Training in machinery use may be carried out on-the-job, you may work with an experienced person until you are familiar with the job in line with street cleaning grading systems in each local authority. The local delivery of cleaning & servicing of areas will be delivered around Ireland by:
Pay & Salary - Street Cleaner
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €37k
Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Glassdoor.ie/ LGMA/ Forsa
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Street Cleaner
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Window cleaners, Street cleaners, Cleaners and domestics, Launderers, dry cleaners and pressers, Refuse and salvage occupations, Vehicle valeters and cleaners, Elementary cleaning occupations n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).
Employment levels for cleaners fell in 2020 and 2021 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions; employment has grown strongly since 2022 although the employment growth rate was below average. Over two-thirds of those employed were female, over half worked part-time, almost a quarter were aged 55 years or over and 42% were non-Irish citizens, with the shares for each of these categories being above the national average.
The level of educational attainment for those employed as cleaners was below average; 30% had attained at most a lower secondary education and a further 54% had attained a higher secondary/FET level of education.
Recent job hires in 2023 far exceeded employment growth indicating that job churn is occurring in this role.
Useful Contacts - Street Cleaner
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City Councils in Ireland
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Dublin City Council
