Explore Careers in Building Maintenance and Housekeeping

Building Maintenance and Housekeeping

Housekeeper

In senior living, Housekeepers are responsible for maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all residents. Housekeepers ensure that residents are relaxed in their individual living spaces and shared living areas.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Perform housekeeping duties in the resident apartments and common areas of the community to achieve a clean and comforting environment for residents.
  • Clean (dust, dry mop, wet mop, sanitize, and scrub) assigned resident apartments and common areas daily according to facility procedures.
  • Understand and effectively use all cleaning equipment.
  • Dispose of trash, waste, and other materials in a safe manner.
  • Maintain supply stock and assist with ordering of products.
  • Wash and fold laundry and distribute clean linens and towels.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and respect for the rights, dignity, and individuality of each resident in all interactions.
Sample Job Titles

Housekeeper, Maid

Requirements

Typically, individuals in this position will not require prior education or training.

Number Employed
46,000
Number of Housekeepers, Maids, and Cleaners in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$11.28

Housekeeping Supervisor

In senior living, Housekeeping Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all residents through the management of a housekeeping team. Supervisors ensure that residents’ spaces are cleaned and maintained effectively by facility staff.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Assign and supervise job duties to junior housekeeping personnel, evaluating strengths and skills of team members and delegating responsibilities appropriately.
  • Provide in-service training for housekeepers on techniques of housekeeping, laundry, use of supplies and equipment, safety, and other topics as needed.
  • Inspect and assist cleaning of resident rooms, lounges, and other public areas.
  • Inspect cleaning of bathrooms and ensure soap, tissue, and towels are replaced as needed.
  • Maintain supplies and equipment and keep perpetual inventory updated.
  • Meet with supply and equipment vendors to ensure costs are held to the minimum necessary consistent with good housekeeping practices.
  • Perform basic inspection to identify minor or major maintenance requirements and take appropriate action.
Sample Job Titles

Housekeeping Supervisor, Housekeeping Manager

Requirements

Prior experience in housekeeping would generally be required.

Number Employed
2,672
Number of First-Line Supervisors of Housekeepers, Maids, and Cleaners in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$18.60

Janitor

In senior living, Janitors are responsible for maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for all residents. Janitors ensure that residents and guests have clean and inviting spaces to relax and socialize in.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Clean assigned community spaces, including rooms, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, and more.
  • Safely move furniture, equipment, and supplies.
  • Order and maintain supplies and equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties.
  • Report any maintenance repairs to a supervisor, including damages and stolen items.
Sample Job Titles

Janitor, Custodian

Requirements

Generally, Janitors will not require education credentials or training.

Number Employed
6,174
Number of Janitors in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$12.57

Laundry Worker

In senior living, Laundry Workers are responsible for providing laundry services to provide a safe, sanitary, comfortable, and homelike environment for residents. Laundry Workers ensure that residents’ clothes and linens are washed properly and kept in excellent condition.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Participate in the monitoring system for the laundry department and notify supervisor of areas needing cleanup, repair, or refurbishing.
  • Wash, dry, fold, or hang resident laundry and deliver promptly.
  • Keep a keen eye for equipment in need of repair, low stock of supplies, and linens or clothing in need of mending, notifying a supervisor if that is the case.
Sample Job Titles

Laundry Worker

Requirements

Typically, individuals in this position will not require prior education or training.

Number Employed
4,708
Number of Laundry Workers in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$11.20

Maintenance and Repair Worker

In senior living, Maintenance and Repair Workers are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for community residents and guests. Maintenance and Repair Workers identify and solve problems on the fly, ensuring that all aspects of resident spaces are fully functional and effective. That may include attending to building grounds, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation.

Essential Responsibilities May Include:
  • Conduct routine survey of building and grounds to ascertain maintenance needs and ensure facility is inviting and safe for residents and guests.
  • Evaluate the physical and aesthetic condition of the facility, including individual resident apartments, and make recommendations or arrange required renovations or refurbishment.
  • Complete preventive maintenance on all equipment as scheduled.
  • Prepare maintenance and repair work orders and work within established deadlines evaluating progress and ensuring quality of work.
  • Repair malfunctions and/or coordinate and assist on any such repairs with outside contractors.
  • Repair household and commercial appliances, including dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, ranges, and microwave ovens and/or coordinate and assist on any such repairs with outside contractors.
Sample Job Titles

Facilities Maintenance, Repair Worker, Groundskeeper

Requirements

Although this position generally would not require education credentials, providers may require experience, certifications, and training related to maintenance and particular equipment.

Number Employed
20,315
Number of Maintenance and Repair Workers in Assisted Living and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (2019)
Approximate Median Wage Per Hour
$18.39

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