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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cleaner

💰 $ - $

FacilitiesJanitorialHousekeepingCommercial Cleaning

🎯 Role Definition

A Cleaner (also called Janitor, Custodian, or Housekeeper) is responsible for maintaining clean, safe, and sanitary conditions across commercial, institutional, or residential properties. The role focuses on routine and deep cleaning tasks, surface disinfection, floor and carpet care, waste management, basic maintenance, and providing courteous support to building occupants. This position requires adherence to health and safety protocols, safe chemical handling, and the ability to prioritize tasks within a shift to meet service-level agreements for cleanliness and appearance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Entry-level Housekeeper in hospitality or residential cleaning
  • Warehouse or retail associate transitioning to facility services
  • Grounds or maintenance assistant with cleaning duties

Advancement To:

  • Lead Cleaner / Senior Custodian
  • Custodial Supervisor / Shift Supervisor (Facilities)
  • Housekeeping Manager or Site Services Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Building Services Technician
  • Environmental Services Technician
  • Porter / Reception Facilities Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform routine and scheduled cleaning tasks in assigned areas including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning restrooms, refilling dispensers, collecting and disposing of trash and recyclables in accordance with the facility's waste management and recycling policies.
  • Conduct thorough disinfection of high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, keyboards, breakroom surfaces) using approved disinfectants and following manufacturer dwell times and COVID-19 cleaning protocols to reduce infection risk.
  • Operate and maintain powered floor-care equipment such as automatic scrubbers, buffers, burnishers, carpet extractors, and industrial vacuums to perform deep cleaning and restorative floor maintenance on tile, vinyl, hardwood, and carpeted surfaces.
  • Execute scheduled deep-clean projects, including carpet steam extraction, grout and tile scrubbing, high dusting, window washing, and periodic stripping and waxing of hard floors according to the preventive maintenance plan.
  • Read and follow Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical labeling; mix cleaning solutions to manufacturer and facility dilution specifications to ensure safe and effective use.
  • Monitor and replenish janitorial and restroom supplies (soap, paper products, hand sanitizer, towels) and maintain accurate inventory logs to prevent stockouts and support uninterrupted service delivery.
  • Perform routine inspections of assigned areas to identify maintenance issues such as broken fixtures, leaks, burnt-out bulbs, or HVAC concerns and communicate findings to supervisors or facilities maintenance for timely repair.
  • Manage hazardous or biohazardous waste in accordance with OSHA and facility-specific protocols, including safe handling, containment, and documentation when encountering sharps, bodily fluids, or other regulated materials.
  • Lock, unlock and secure doors, windows, and buildings as required; set alarms and follow opening/closing checklists to ensure property security during and after shifts.
  • Respond to urgent cleaning requests and spills immediately, employing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and procedures to mitigate slip-and-fall hazards and maintain a safe environment.
  • Follow green cleaning initiatives and use environmentally preferred cleaning products and microfiber systems when directed to reduce chemical exposure and support sustainability goals.
  • Maintain accurate work orders, time sheets, and cleaning logs using paper or mobile facility management systems to document completed tasks, incidents, and supply usage for supervisory review.
  • Coordinate with other departments (maintenance, security, front desk, nursing staff in healthcare settings) to prioritize cleaning tasks around events, building occupancy, or shift turnovers for minimal disruption.
  • Provide exceptional customer service to occupants and visitors by addressing cleaning-related inquiries, reporting lost and found items, and escalating concerns to supervisors when required.
  • Set up and take down furniture and event spaces, handle linen exchange and room reset duties for conference rooms or hotel-style assignments to support facility operations and client events.
  • Adhere to all company and regulatory safety standards, including use of PPE, proper lifting techniques, and lockout/tagout awareness for equipment being serviced to minimize worker injury and liability.
  • Conduct routine preventive maintenance on cleaning equipment (emptying and cleaning filters, checking pads/brushes, inspecting hoses) and report malfunctions to ensure reliable operation and longevity.
  • Assist in training new cleaning staff on standard operating procedures, hazard communication, infection control practices, and equipment operation to ensure consistent service quality across shifts.
  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when entering private or restricted areas and when encountering sensitive information while performing duties in offices, clinics, or residential units.
  • Work scheduled shifts reliably and flexibly, including nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays as required by building operations, special projects, or event schedules.
  • Ensure proper storage, labeling, and rotation of cleaning chemicals and supplies according to company policy to maintain workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Perform basic groundskeeping tasks where assigned, such as sweeping entrances, clearing debris from sidewalks, and light snow or ice removal to maintain safe access points.
  • Support loss prevention efforts by reporting suspicious activity, unsecured doors, or missing items observed during cleaning rounds and cooperating with facility security investigations.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting process improvements, cost-saving measures, or ergonomics changes for safer and more efficient cleaning operations.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with inventory audits and vendor deliveries for janitorial supplies and coordinate with procurement on ordering to ensure cost-effective stock levels.
  • Support seasonal or one-time projects such as emergency storm cleanup, move-in/move-out turnarounds, post-construction cleaning, or large-scale event breakdowns.
  • Collect customer feedback and contribute to quality assurance checks or scorecards to help supervisors measure cleaning performance against SLAs and KPIs.
  • Provide cross-training coverage by stepping into related facility roles (porter, set-up attendant, or recycling coordinator) during staffing shortages or peak demand periods.
  • Participate in workplace safety committees or briefings and contribute observations from the field to improve housekeeping policies and employee training materials.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in commercial and residential cleaning techniques including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, polishing, window cleaning, and restroom sanitation.
  • Experience operating and maintaining floor-care equipment: automatic scrubbers, buffers, burnishers, carpet extractors, and industrial vacuums.
  • Knowledge of proper dilution, mixing, and safe use of cleaning chemicals; ability to read and follow SDS/MSDS and chemical label instructions.
  • Familiarity with disinfectant application methods and infection control procedures, including use of EPA-registered disinfectants and contact/dwell time requirements.
  • Competence with waste segregation, recycling procedures, and safe disposal of hazardous or biohazardous materials when required by facility policies.
  • Ability to document work using work order systems, mobile apps, or paper logs; basic digital literacy for shift reports and supply requests.
  • Skilled in setup and teardown of event spaces, linen handling, and room resets for hospitality or conference center assignments.
  • Basic facility maintenance awareness: identifying plumbing leaks, lighting issues, and minor repairs that impact cleanliness or safety.
  • Proficiency in inventory control for janitorial supplies, including cycle counts and communicating reordering needs.
  • Knowledge of OSHA, PPE use, and workplace safety standards related to cleaning operations and chemical handling.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail with the ability to consistently deliver high standards of cleanliness and presentation.
  • Time management and the ability to prioritize tasks to meet scheduled cleaning routes and service-level agreements.
  • Reliable work ethic and punctuality with a proven record of attendance and shift dependability.
  • Customer-focused attitude, able to interact courteously with building occupants, clients, and supervisors.
  • Physical stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks, lift up to facility-specified weights, bend, climb, and stand for extended periods.
  • Team player who communicates clearly and collaborates effectively with multi-disciplinary facility teams.
  • Problem-solving mindset to adapt to unexpected cleaning challenges and to propose practical process improvements.
  • Discretion and respect for occupant privacy when cleaning in occupied offices, hotel rooms, medical clinics, or residential units.
  • Willingness to learn and adopt new cleaning technologies, green cleaning practices, and certification-based procedures.
  • Conflict resolution and escalation skills to report facilities concerns or occupant complaints through appropriate channels.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred but not always required.

Preferred Education:

  • Certifications in janitorial services, custodial management, or environmental services (preferred for healthcare/facility roles).
  • Certified training in OSHA safety, bloodborne pathogens, or infection control for clinical environments.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Facilities Management
  • Hospitality/Hotel Management
  • Environmental Services / Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level: 0–1 year of cleaning or related experience.
  • Experienced: 1–3+ years in custodial/janitorial roles, commercial cleaning, or housekeeping.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of commercial or institutional cleaning experience, including experience with powered floor equipment and disinfectant protocols.
  • Prior experience in healthcare, education, hospitality, or corporate building services is advantageous.
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