Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Floor Polisher

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a detail-oriented and highly motivated Floor Polisher / Floor Care Technician to join our facilities team. In this pivotal role, you will be the expert responsible for the overall care, maintenance, and appearance of all hard-surface floors and carpets within our buildings. You will leverage your technical expertise to perform restorative and preventative maintenance, ensuring our environments are not only visually impressive but also safe and welcoming for all staff, clients, and visitors. The ideal candidate is a proactive professional who takes immense pride in their work and understands that a well-maintained floor is the foundation of a clean and professional facility.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Janitor / Custodian
General Maintenance Worker
Cleaner

Advancement To:

Floor Care Supervisor
Lead Custodian / Janitorial Lead
Facilities Maintenance Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Building Maintenance Technician
Environmental Services (EVS) Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate a wide array of specialized floor care machinery, including high-speed burnishers, automatic scrubbers, carpet extractors, and heavy-duty stripping machines, ensuring proper and safe usage.
Execute comprehensive floor maintenance programs, which include stripping old finish, sealing, applying multiple coats of new wax, and buffing floors to a high-gloss, slip-resistant shine.
Perform deep cleaning, restorative, and interim maintenance on various types of carpeting using methods such as hot water extraction, bonnet cleaning, and encapsulation.
Conduct routine and preventative maintenance on all floor care equipment to ensure it remains in optimal working condition, performing minor repairs and troubleshooting issues as they arise.
Accurately measure, dilute, and mix cleaning solutions, stripping agents, and floor finishes according to manufacturer instructions and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) guidelines.
Proactively identify and report any flooring damage, such as cracked tiles, loose VCT, or significant carpet stains, to the maintenance supervisor for timely repair.
Strictly adhere to all company and OSHA safety standards, including the consistent use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), proper chemical handling, and strategic placement of wet floor signs.
Move, lift, and rearrange furniture, equipment, and other obstacles to effectively service the entire floor area, and carefully return all items to their original locations upon completion.
Perform detailed cleaning work on edges, corners, and along baseboards to ensure a uniform and complete finish across the entire surface.
Maintain a consistent, high-quality appearance on all floor surfaces, including VCT, terrazzo, marble, concrete, LVT, and wood, by performing daily buffing and burnishing.
Follow a detailed floor care schedule to ensure all areas of the facility receive appropriate attention and maintenance, minimizing disruption to daily operations.
Respond promptly to urgent cleaning needs, such as spills, floods, or other unexpected incidents, to mitigate hazards and restore the floor's condition.
Maintain an accurate inventory of all floor care supplies, chemicals, pads, and equipment parts, and submit procurement requests to prevent shortages.
Document all completed work, including dates, specific areas serviced, and products used, in a daily logbook or a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Possess a strong working knowledge of different flooring materials and select the most appropriate chemicals, equipment, and techniques for each specific surface.
Perform daily dust mopping and damp mopping of high-traffic areas to remove dirt and debris, preventing scratches and preserving the floor's finish.
Coordinate with other janitorial staff and building occupants to schedule major floor projects during off-peak hours, ensuring minimal disruption.
Assist in training new team members on the safe and effective operation of floor care equipment and the proper application of cleaning techniques.
Ensure all storage closets for chemicals and equipment are kept clean, organized, and compliant with safety regulations.
Conduct regular visual inspections of all flooring throughout the facility to assess its condition and schedule necessary maintenance proactively.

Secondary Functions

Assist the general janitorial team with daily cleaning duties during periods of high demand or staff shortages.
Support event setup and breakdown by protecting floors before and performing thorough cleaning after events.
Perform minor maintenance tasks such as replacing light bulbs or assisting with small repairs as needed.
Provide excellent customer service by professionally and courteously interacting with building staff and the public.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of industrial floor care equipment (buffers, auto-scrubbers, burnishers, extractors).
Expertise in floor stripping, waxing, sealing, and finishing procedures for various hard surfaces.
In-depth knowledge of chemical cleaning agents, their proper applications, and dilution ratios.
Ability to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on floor care machinery.
Familiarity with different carpet cleaning methods (extraction, bonneting, encapsulation).
Understanding of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and occupational safety protocols.
Ability to identify various flooring types (VCT, terrazzo, LVT, etc.) to apply correct care methods.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to high-quality work.
Strong physical stamina and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs and be on your feet for extended periods.
Excellent time management and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
High degree of reliability, punctuality, and a strong work ethic.
Problem-solving skills to troubleshoot equipment or unexpected flooring issues.
Effective communication skills for coordinating with team members and supervisors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training certificate in floor care or janitorial services.
IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certification.

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of dedicated experience in a commercial floor care or EVS technician role.

Preferred:

Demonstrable experience working in large-scale facilities such as hospitals, schools, airports, or commercial office buildings.
A proven track record of maintaining various floor types and using a wide range of professional-grade equipment.