A little question for those who've read 1984 by George Orwell

[New Earth]

I did read it back in high school and saw the movie, but I am trying to remember what Winston Smith's job was. Didn't he work for a newspaper? I just found an excerpt online of the first chapter of the book, which is what i was looking for, when it describes his job and how he has to throw some papers in the trash....what is exactly is going on there? I'm a little confused as to what his job actually was and what it was he was throwing in the trash. i need to know b/c if it is what i am thinking, i want to use part of this excerpt in something i'm going to write soon. (kind of an editorial/opinion piece).

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Authors/Part_One_1984.html