Automobile Service Station AttendantsWhenever a truck, bus or automobile needs some gas and finds its way to a Gas Stations, most people would always expect to find a service station attendant to help customers with their requests. Service station attendants work at automobile service stations or gas stations. Aside from their main task of filling in the fuel tanks or LPG cylinders of motor vehicles such as trucks, buses and automobiles, they also provide additional services such as tidying the windshield and measuring the level of water in the radiator and batteries as well as the oil in the engine. If there is a need, they can also help you replenish the oil, water or air of your motor vehicle. They also examine the tires for the right air pressure. Some service station attendants may be assigned to sell motor vehicle related items and accessories such as lubricants, brake fluids, fan belts, batteries, windshield wiper blades and tires. Sometimes, they also sell groceries and takeaway food and drinks to travelers and commuters.
Working as a service station attendant nowadays is much more than being a simple “gasoline boy”. At times, you may be asked to do minor maintenance tasks such as cleaning gasoline pumps and its surrounding area as well as install motor vehicle parts such fan belts, batteries, windshield wiper blades and tires and in other minor car cleaning tasks. They may also be tasked to accept to cash payments or credit-card charge slips as well as attend to a computerized console machine and the cash registers.
Service station attendants also usually perform a wide variety of tasks related to the operation of the service station itself. They maybe asked to do some basic administrative work as well as make inventories regularly, order stocks of motor parts and other accessories whenever needed and keep business records. Those assigned to the retail section, may also be assigned to maintain the items displayed for sale. Some of them may likewise be assigned to ensure the cleanliness of the service station, including the building, pumping stations, restrooms and its surrounding area.
Working in a service station is not an easy task. Some may have to work day or evening shifts and even on weekends in all weather conditions. Nevertheless, they are expected to enjoy practical and manual work and should always show a friendly disposition to customers. They should be able to relate and communicate well to customers since they have a constant contact with the public. They should be courteous, neat in appearance and are able to perform their assigned tasks with or without supervision.
Since they also work in a retail setting, they should be able to make quick calculations as well as to handle money. In order to be able to perform their work well, it is very helpful that they have an interest in motor vehicles and mechanical work so they can easily remember the basic information regarding their products and offer advice to customers whenever needed. They must also strictly observe safety precautions as injuries such as cuts from sharps tools and engine burns are likely to happen. As they pump gasoline and work with oil and grease, service station attendants can frequently get dirty.
Most service stations require their attendants to be at least high school graduates and to have a driver’s license. An On-the-Job Training is usually provided by the employer before starting with the job. A work experience as a service station attendance makes it easier for someone to qualify as a mechanic for motor vehicles such as truck, bus or automobiles or to advance into service station management.
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