Mapping Out a Route for Success in the Waste and Recycling Industry

Waste and recycling collection vehicles making their weekly rounds are a common sight on city streets. But behind the scenes is a team of logistics and data analysts working to ensure the right vehicle gets to the right place at the right time.

Mapping Out a Route for Success in the Waste and Recycling Industry

Junior Logistics Analyst finds her career path at Athens Services

Waste and recycling collection vehicles making their weekly rounds are a common sight on city streets. But behind the scenes is a team of logistics and data analysts working to ensure the right vehicle gets to the right place at the right time.  

Meet one of the newest logistics team members at Athens Services: Samantha “Sam” Hernandez. A recent graduate of Cal State Northridge, Sam joined Athens as an administrative assistant at its Pacoima yard.

The yard is Athens’ largest, with 255 collection vehicles and over 200 employees serving five cities, including Los Angeles. Sam’s position brought her into daily contact with dispatchers, drivers, and supervisors, including Logistics Supervisor Carlos Garcia.

At his request, she conducted a research project for the Logistics Department. He was impressed and when a Junior Analyst position became available in February, Carlos encouraged her to apply for the position. 

“I jumped at the chance,” said Sam. “I enjoy solving puzzles, and logistics is complicated problem-solving.”

In her new position, Sam is midway through a one-year training program to develop her skills. During her training, she works as part of a six-member team that includes two logistics analysts, two data analysts, and Carlos. 

Her role involves using various computer programs to review route maps and data, including the number of pickups, hours, and miles. She occasionally rides along in collection vehicles to better understand how her computer models work in the real world. 

“She is very bright and quickly caught on to the technology,” Carlos said. “Everything we anticipated from her has come true. She communicates well and she gets it.”

Her biggest project to date has been reviewing and optimizing Los Angeles routes. She has also reviewed routes in half a dozen other cities, including Palos Verdes, Beverly Hills, and Temple City. 

When she completes her training, Sam will be assigned exclusively to Thousand Oaks, where she will oversee more than 30 residential routes, 10 commercial routes, and two street sweeping routes. She will continue to have a hand in other projects with her team.

Sam is excited about her future in logistics. “I’m proud to be a part of this team. I know what direction my career is going now because of their help.” 

Outside her role at Athens, Sam manages the logistics of her 7-year-old daughter’s school and cheerleading schedules. She hopes to be a role model for her. 

“I love working at Athens, and my goal is to show her that she too can do well in a male-dominated industry. If I can do it, anyone can do it.” 

Athens Services welcomes team members like Sam who want to grow their career. Find your opportunity at AthensServicesCareers or Athens’ Job Fair on August 25 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Ontario.

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