Toll booth collectors are tasked with collecting and counting tolls on turnpikes and paid-access highways, tunnels, and bridges. They are typically employed by local or state transportation departments to ensure that the collection of tolls is smooth and efficient at all times in order to reduce their effects on traffic flow.
Typically, toll booth collectors simply make change as necessary for drivers who need collector assistance and ensure that automated processes within the booths are working properly; these can include the large baskets which catch change from drivers as well as electronic RFID prepaid pass systems. If the toll booth is equipped with a barrier system, the operator must ensure that it raises and drops according to normal operating procedures.
Toll booth collectors are frequently asked to provide directions, distances to gas stations, and other information. Most collectors do so, but in a quick fashion to avoid impeding traffic flow. At the end of a shift, a collector is expected to reconcile his/her cash drawer based on the tolls collected and transfer that money to a supervisor for deposit or storage for pickup by an armored vehicle.
Educational requirements are not strict for this position, though a high school diploma and successful background checks and drug tests may be required by some employers. Because tolls are usually collected at all times of day and night, new collectors should expect to work nights, holidays, weekend shifts when necessary. They typically spend most of their shifts within the toll booth, although many operations have larger attached areas and offices, as well.