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Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants

In the Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants occupation, workers service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. O*NET rates it as some preparation, which usually means a few months to a year of learning on the job. It leans on time management, speaking, and service orientation. You may also need to collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 6.4 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is RCE and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.

Main tasks

  • Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.
  • Check tire pressure and levels of fuel, motor oil, transmission, radiator, battery, or other fluids, adding air or fluids as required.
  • Perform minor repairs, such as adjusting brakes, replacing spark plugs, or changing engine oil or filters.
  • Clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash.
  • Order stock, and price and shelve incoming goods.
  • Sell and install accessories, such as batteries, windshield wiper blades, fan belts, bulbs, or headlamps.

Skills

  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Repairing

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on time management and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCE takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Attendant
  • Dock Attendant
  • Dock Hand
  • Fuel Attendant
  • Fuel Dock Attendant

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.