Janitors maintain and clean a variety of structures, including homes, offices, schools, and hospitals. Depending on the type of building they work in, their range of responsibilities can change. Some janitors may also perform minor repairs or take care of small gardens in addition to cleaning.
Learn about the essential qualifications, responsibilities, and abilities that ought to be listed in a job description for a janitor.
Who Is A Janitor?
A Janitor is a skilled individual who plays a crucial role in any company. They are in charge of carrying out various tasks to keep the facility tidy and safe. This can involve vacuuming and mopping the floors, cleaning the bathrooms and restroom surfaces, and emptying the trash and recycling bins.
Additionally, janitors maintain the cleanliness, sanitization, and condition of hotels, retail stores, schools, office buildings, and other locations. While some people only clean, others have a variety of responsibilities. A janitor is necessary for almost all indoor spaces where people can congregate. Janitors can work independently or as part of a team; the larger the area, the larger the team.
They employ a variety of industrial cleaning tools, such as vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, mops, and brooms. If performing outdoor maintenance is a part of their job, they might also use rakes, shovels, and leaf blowers. A variety of tools may be used by janitors to complete their repair-related duties.
In addition, some janitors work outside, mowing lawns, sweeping sidewalks, and shoveling snow, in addition to maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of buildings inside. To make sure the heating and cooling systems are operating properly, some janitors may also keep an eye on them.
Lastly, they are often asked to work outside normal business hours, sometimes early in the morning or late at night, so the building can be cleaned properly.
What Is The Work Of A Janitor?
The duties of a janitor vary depending on where they work. A janitor who works in a school might fix things like a leaky faucet. In addition to their regular cleaning responsibilities, janitors employed by shopping centers may be in charge of making sure the air conditioning is operational. Additional obligations might include:
- Emptying trash cans
- Taking care of any trash that has been left lying around.
- Floor cleaning includes vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, polishing, and shampooing.
- Cleaning and stocking bathrooms with toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.
- Cleaning surfaces, including windows.
- Keeping the building safe by locking up when leaving.
- Taking care of any spills or accidents.
- Raking and blowing leaves.
- Ordering cleaning supplies and keeping track of stock.
- Notifying the appropriate personnel about larger repair jobs.
What Skills Does A Janitor Need?
For janitors to succeed in their jobs, a variety of skills are necessary. Dexterity and stamina are critical for the job because it involves physical labor. People who are interested in the position would do well to be aware of this and get ready for it. The following are some additional skills needed:
#1. Teamwork:
Janitors frequently collaborate, particularly in larger buildings. They can learn the social skills necessary to be an effective teammate. Additionally, janitors can collaborate to finish a task quickly and effectively by listening to one another.
#2. Time Management:
A variety of tasks and responsibilities fall under the purview of janitors, many of which have completion dates. They can schedule their time effectively to complete all the required tasks on time. Additionally, some janitors may work in multiple locations; in this case, they can make use of their time management abilities to allow for travel time.
#3. Repair Skills:
A janitor’s responsibilities are extensive, and they might occasionally be asked to resolve minor issues. It is advantageous for janitors to have fundamental mechanical abilities that enable them to complete these tasks as they come up. With practice, you can hone your mechanical abilities.
#4. Administrative Skills
Janitors use administrative skills to track cleaning supplies, order more, manage schedules, and keep records of tasks completed.
#5. Cleaning skills
Janitors need to be proficient in a wide variety of good cleaning techniques. They can meticulously sweep, vacuum, mop, and polish floors. Janitors may also need to effectively sanitize various areas, especially if they work in a healthcare environment. Janitors can make sure they use the right tools for each task by using their cleaning skills.
Finally, many janitorial jobs don’t require experience because workers can learn the necessary skills on the job. However, experience in maintenance and cleaning may look good on your resume in the eyes of potential employers. If you don’t have any specific janitorial experience, consider the transferrable skills you do have. These might include mechanical abilities like knowledge of gardening tools or electrical or plumbing experience.
How To Become A Janitor
Here are steps you can take to get a janitor job:
#1. Complete your education
Most of the time, janitors are not required to have any formal education. Applicants with a High School Certificate may be desired by some employers. The completion of high school is required to receive this certificate. Training can take place in the workplace or through vocational courses at accredited educational institutions.
#2. Apply for a job
It is possible to apply directly to a job posting for some janitorial work since there are no prerequisites. You can look online for janitorial jobs that don’t require any experience or qualifications. Additionally, you can apply with a resume and cover letter or, if one is provided, by filling out their template. Even if you lack experience, you can still show that you have relevant, transferable skills.
#3. Obtain a qualification
Obtaining a certificate in Cleaning Operations or Cleaning Management can make you a more employable candidate, providing the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in a janitorial role.
#4. Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is another route to janitorial work. You can receive on-the-job training and a formal qualification through an apprenticeship. Both of the aforementioned certificates are offered in apprenticeship format. High school students, school dropouts, and students of retirement age can all participate in apprenticeships.
One of the following examples of related job descriptions may be helpful if you’re looking to hire someone for a similar position but not a janitor:
#1. Cleaner
A cleaner is in charge of keeping public spaces like hotels, offices, and homes tidy and in order. Their primary responsibilities include cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and other public spaces; dusting furniture, countertops, and ceilings; and sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors.
Duties and responsibilities of a Cleaner
To keep your business clean, cleaners carry out a variety of tasks like dusting, mopping, sweeping, waxing floors, and vacuuming. They are also in charge of conducting regular inspections to ensure that areas like restrooms are always hygienic. Additionally, cleaners are accountable for:
- Collaborating with other cleaners to keep your establishment clean.
- Cleaning up spills, broken glass, and other messes as soon as possible.
- Cleaning-related maintenance activities (for example, cleaning machinery maintenance).
- restocking supplies like toilet paper and paper towels.
- Cleaning supplies are ordered as needed.
#2. Housekeeper
A housekeeper, or maid, is in charge of maintaining a building’s overall cleanliness to offer neat and hygienic amenities to visitors and residents. They are responsible for dusting surfaces throughout a house or other structures.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Housekeeper
A housekeeper must maintain the workplace according to the standards set by their employer. This calls for meticulousness, physical stamina, and the ability to work long shifts. Examples of a housekeeper’s tasks are as follows:
- Learn about the company’s policies regarding work shifts, guest possessions, and privacy concerns.
- After guests have checked out, perform basic housekeeping duties such as changing the sheets, changing and arranging the towels, restocking toilet supplies, vacuuming, dusting, and rearranging the room.
- Report and return any guest property discovered in the rooms while providing service.
- Report cases of commercial property damage to the supervisor.
- At the end of each shift, clean, disinfect, and store all equipment.
- Maintain a positive attitude toward both employees and visitors.
- Monitor and report on the inventory of cleaning supplies
- Respond to requests for help with housekeeping issues such as spills and broken glass.
- Collect and dispose of trash and debris
- Help with laundry management by washing, drying, ironing, and sorting linen.
- All lost and found items should be reported, turned in, and logged.
- Upholstered furniture that has been cleaned
#3. Custodian
A custodian, also known as a caretaker, is in charge of keeping a building and its surroundings clean. Their responsibilities include vacuuming floors, sanitizing restrooms, and collecting trash to ensure that the building’s occupants have a clean environment.
Duties and responsibilities of a Custodian
The primary responsibility of a custodian is to clean a workspace, warehouse, or similar space. This task is divided into several duties that are performed throughout the day or at other regular intervals, such as:
- Cleaning hardwood, linoleum, tile, and other types of floors
- Cleaning rugs and carpets
- Taking out trash cans
- Cleaning vents and changing air filters
- Dusting every surface
- Waxing the floors
- Cleaning supplies are ordered as needed.
- Cleaning windows
- Keeping an accurate inventory
- Using commercial vacuums, floor buffers, and carpet cleaners
- Trash and recycling collection and disposal
Is A Janitor The Same As A Cleaner?
A cleaner’s job is solely to clean a specific area, whereas a janitor’s job also includes maintenance. Janitors work in larger or public spaces, whereas cleaners typically work in small buildings or residential areas. Finally, cleaners frequently work as a third party, whereas janitors may work full-time.
Is A Janitor The Same As A Custodian?
A custodian is typically someone who is in charge of or cares for a specific building or piece of property at any given time of day. While a janitor is required to show up at a predetermined time, usually in the morning or the afternoon, at a location specifically to clean.
Are Janitors Paid Well?
Janitors and building cleaners earn an average annual salary of $30,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In comparison, the BLS estimates that general maintenance and repair workers earn $41,000 per year on average.
What Is A Janitor’s Top Salary?
Janitors often earn an hourly rate instead of an annual salary. Janitors earn an average hourly wage of $25, according to Indeed Salaries. The annual salary is $58,000 on average. Note that these salaries depend on location, skill level, and experience.
Is Janitor An Easy Job?
One of the most significant disadvantages of being a janitor is that cleaning work is frequently physically demanding. Janitors can easily sustain scrapes and bruises while cleaning, moving equipment, and repairing things. Additionally, you may also be exposed to cleaning chemicals, which can be harmful if inhaled or ingested.
Do Janitors Clean Toilets?
Janitors and cleaning services frequently begin with the urinals and toilets and work their way out to the sinks. Then they move away from the exit, leaving the walls and floors for last. Additionally, empty trash cans and replenish all toiletries, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers.
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