Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for General Maintainer

🎯 Role Definition

The General Maintainer is a cornerstone of our organization's operational integrity, serving as a hands-on professional dedicated to the upkeep, repair, and overall functionality of our facilities. This role is fundamentally about proactive problem-solving and skilled execution to ensure a safe, efficient, and welcoming physical environment for employees, clients, and visitors. You are the go-to expert for a wide range of maintenance tasks, from routine inspections to emergency repairs, directly contributing to business continuity and the preservation of company assets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Maintenance Helper or Apprentice
Construction Laborer with mechanical aptitude
Specialized Trades Assistant (e.g., Plumber's Helper, Electrician's Apprentice)

Advancement To:

Senior Maintenance Technician or Lead Maintainer
Maintenance Supervisor or Team Lead
Facilities Manager or Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

Specialized Technician (e.g., HVAC Technician, Electrician, Plumber)
Building Automation Systems (BAS) Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform routine and comprehensive preventive maintenance on building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, to ensure optimal performance and prevent future breakdowns.
Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of the facility's interior and exterior, identifying and documenting needs for repair, maintenance, and safety enhancements.
Respond promptly and efficiently to maintenance work orders submitted by staff, diagnosing issues and implementing effective, lasting solutions for a variety of equipment and infrastructure problems.
Execute skilled repairs on mechanical equipment and building structures, which may include tasks like replacing motors, repairing drywall, fixing doors, and addressing structural wear and tear.
Manage basic plumbing tasks, such as repairing leaking faucets and pipes, clearing clogged drains, and replacing fixtures to maintain sanitation and prevent water damage.
Address minor electrical issues, including replacing light bulbs and ballasts, resetting breakers, and troubleshooting faulty switches and outlets in accordance with safety protocols.
Perform general carpentry work, such as building shelves, repairing furniture, installing partitions, and framing, to support changing facility needs.
Prepare and paint interior and exterior surfaces, ensuring a clean, professional appearance and protecting surfaces from wear and environmental factors.
Monitor and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including cleaning filters, checking refrigerant levels, and coordinating with specialized vendors for major repairs.
Ensure all fire and life safety systems, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting, are functional and inspected regularly, maintaining compliance with safety codes.
Operate and maintain a variety of power and hand tools, ensuring they are in safe, working condition and stored correctly.
Safely operate heavy equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, or boom lifts for maintenance tasks at height or for moving heavy materials.
Maintain accurate and detailed records of all maintenance activities, repairs performed, and parts used, utilizing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) where applicable.
Assist in the coordination and oversight of external contractors and vendors, ensuring their work meets organizational standards and is completed safely and on schedule.
Implement and adhere to all safety policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, and hazardous material handling.

Secondary Functions

Assist with groundskeeping duties as needed, which may include snow removal from walkways, lawn care, and maintaining the cleanliness of outdoor common areas.
Participate in the setup and breakdown of furniture and equipment for company events, meetings, and office reconfigurations.
Manage inventory of maintenance supplies, spare parts, and tools, initiating purchase requisitions to ensure adequate stock levels are maintained.
Contribute to the development and refinement of the preventive maintenance schedule to improve efficiency and equipment lifespan.
Provide on-call support for after-hours facility emergencies on a rotating basis, demonstrating reliability and a commitment to operational uptime.
Support space planning and office move logistics by assisting with the relocation of furniture, equipment, and departmental assets.
Escort and monitor third-party service providers to ensure they comply with site rules and complete their work to the required standard.
Read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics to understand equipment operation and repair procedures.
Participate actively in safety committee meetings, offering practical insights and suggestions for improving workplace safety from a maintenance perspective.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

HVAC Systems Knowledge: Strong understanding of the principles of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, including filter replacement, thermostat calibration, and basic troubleshooting.
Plumbing Repair: Proficiency in diagnosing and repairing common plumbing issues, including leaks, clogs, and fixture replacement.
Electrical Troubleshooting: Ability to safely perform basic electrical repairs, such as replacing outlets, switches, ballasts, and troubleshooting circuit issues.
Carpentry & General Construction: Skilled in framing, drywall repair, painting, and other general construction tasks to maintain building integrity and appearance.
Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to understand, diagnose, and repair a wide range of mechanical equipment and systems.
CMMS Proficiency: Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to track work orders, log activities, and manage asset history.
Blueprint & Schematic Reading: Competency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, manuals, and schematics to guide repair and installation work.
Power Tool & Equipment Operation: Safe and effective operation of a wide variety of hand tools, power tools, and larger equipment like lifts and forklifts.

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and diagnostic skills to accurately identify the root cause of a problem and determine the most effective solution.
Time Management & Prioritization: Ability to manage multiple work orders and competing priorities effectively, ensuring urgent requests are addressed promptly without neglecting routine tasks.
Communication Skills: Clear and professional communication with colleagues, managers, and external vendors to provide updates, explain technical issues, and coordinate work.
Attention to Detail: A thorough and meticulous approach to all tasks, ensuring work is completed to a high standard and safety checks are never overlooked.
Self-Motivation: The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, taking initiative to identify and address maintenance needs proactively.
Adaptability: Flexibility to handle unexpected emergencies, changing priorities, and a diverse range of maintenance challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Associate's Degree from a trade school or technical college in a relevant field.
Certification in a specific trade (e.g., HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Building Maintenance Technology
Facilities Management
Industrial Mechanics
HVAC/R Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of hands-on experience in a commercial or industrial maintenance role, demonstrating a broad range of repair and maintenance skills.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience in a similar role, with a proven track record of handling complex maintenance tasks and working with building automation systems. Experience in a regulated environment (e.g., manufacturing, healthcare) is a plus.