Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Janitorial Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Janitorial Technician is responsible for maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming commercial, institutional, or residential facilities through systematic cleaning, preventative floor and restroom care, waste handling, and routine building maintenance. This role emphasizes infection control, OSHA-compliant chemical handling, efficient use of custodial equipment (autoscrubbers, buffers, carpet extractors), dependable scheduling, and clear communication with facilities management and building occupants. Ideal candidates combine physical stamina, attention to detail, and strong safety awareness to preserve facility appearance and occupant health.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Entry-level Janitor / Night Cleaner
Housekeeper or Hotel Room Attendant
Building Attendant or Porter

Advancement To:

Lead Janitorial Technician / Shift Lead
Custodial Supervisor / Facilities Coordinator
Facilities Technician / Maintenance Technician
Facilities Manager / Building Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

Groundskeeper / Landscaping Technician
Event Setup Technician / Venue Support
Security Officer (facility-focused roles)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform daily and scheduled cleaning of assigned areas (offices, lobbies, corridors, conference rooms, cafeterias, restrooms) using approved chemicals, microfiber materials, and cleaning techniques to ensure consistent facility appearance and hygiene.
Clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms and locker rooms, including cleaning and disinfecting toilets, urinals, sinks, partitions, mirrors, replenishing soap, paper products and deodorizing surfaces to meet public health and building standards.
Operate and maintain mechanical cleaning equipment such as ride-on and walk-behind autoscrubbers, floor buffers, burnishers, carpet extractors, wet/dry vacuums, and high-pressure washers according to manufacturer guidelines and safety procedures.
Strip, seal, wax, and polish hard surface floors and apply appropriate floor finishes to extend surface life, improve appearance, and meet slip-resistance standards; perform scheduled burnishing and buffing to maintain finish.
Vacuum, shampoo, and extract carpets and area rugs; treat stains and odors using proper cleaning chemistry and techniques to restore appearance and prolong carpet life.
Empty trash receptacles and recycling bins, remove and replace liners, transport waste to designated disposal points, and monitor recycling segregation to follow facility waste-management protocols.
Perform routine window and glass cleaning for interior and accessible exterior surfaces to remove fingerprints, smudges, and debris, improving visibility and building aesthetics.
Monitor, clean, and sanitize high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, light switches) on a frequent basis to reduce the risk of germ transmission and support infection control programs.
Follow MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) and label instructions for mixing, dispensing, storing, and disposing of cleaning chemicals; maintain proper chemical dilution and secure storage to ensure OSHA compliance.
Conduct daily inspections of assigned areas and report facility deficiencies (broken fixtures, leaks, burned-out lights, safety hazards) via established work order systems or direct communication with maintenance supervisors.
Receive and complete work orders from facilities management; prioritize tasks, estimate time requirements, and log completed work in computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or paper logs.
Maintain supply inventory and submit requisition requests for custodial materials (cleaners, paper goods, PPE) to avoid stockouts and ensure uninterrupted cleaning operations.
Follow lock/unlock and building opening/closing procedures, perform lights-on/off routines, secure doors, and ensure facilities are left in a safe, clean condition at the end of shift.
Perform spot cleaning and emergency cleanup (biohazard response, vomit, broken glass) following approved protocols and using appropriate PPE to protect occupants and staff.
Assist with periodic deep cleaning projects including high dusting, ceiling vent cleaning, wall washing, and upholstery cleaning to maintain indoor air quality and building appearance.
Implement and maintain floor protection and signage (wet-floor cones, barricades) during cleaning operations to minimize slip-and-fall risks and communicate hazards to building occupants.
Conduct minor preventative maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs, replacing HVAC filters, tightening hardware, and reporting larger repairs to maintenance teams to minimize downtime.
Participate in assigned shift hand-offs and briefings; coordinate with other trades and cleaning staff to optimize coverage for events, after-hours cleaning, and special projects.
Adhere to COVID-19 and other infectious disease cleaning protocols as specified by public health guidance and organizational policies, including electrostatic spraying or CDC-recommended disinfecting when required.
Document completed tasks, supply usage, and incidents (damage, theft, safety occurrences, unusual conditions) accurately in daily logs or digital reporting tools to support audits and continuous improvement.
Train and mentor new or temporary custodial staff on safe equipment operation, cleaning standards, chemical handling, and route expectations to raise team capability and consistency.
Support event setup and teardown duties when required: arrange furniture, roll out floor protection, coordinate with event staff, and perform post-event cleanup to return spaces to operational condition.
Maintain professionalism and a customer-service focus when interacting with building occupants, responding promptly to requests and resolving minor concerns or escalating appropriately.

Secondary Functions

Assist facilities team with seasonal or occasional responsibilities such as snow removal, outdoor sweeping, pressure washing, and window washing on higher elevations as qualified.
Participate in inventory audits, cost-control initiatives, and recommendations for more sustainable or cost-effective cleaning products and processes.
Support facilities projects by preparing spaces for contractors, protecting finishes during maintenance, and restoring areas after work is complete.
Help implement and promote green cleaning and sustainability programs (low-VOC products, microfiber usage, recycling initiatives) to meet organizational environmental goals.
Contribute to cross-training efforts, covering shifts or roles during staffing shortages to maintain service continuity.
Provide feedback on equipment lifecycle needs and participate in vendor evaluations for custodial equipment and chemical suppliers.
Take part in safety training refreshers and assist supervisors in safety inspections and hazard correction activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation and daily maintenance of custodial machinery: autoscrubbers, floor buffers/burnishers, carpet extractors, wet/dry vacuums, pressure washers.
Demonstrated knowledge of cleaning chemistry, proper dilution, and MSDS interpretation for safe chemical handling and storage.
Floor care expertise including stripping, sealing, waxing, burnishing, and carpet extraction techniques.
Familiarity with infection control best practices and disinfecting protocols (CDC/OSHA guidance for high-touch surfaces and outbreak response).
Competence using basic hand and power tools for minor maintenance tasks (screwdrivers, pliers, light bulb changing).
Experience logging and managing work orders in CMMS or facility management software; basic digital literacy (mobile apps, email).
Waste handling and recycling procedures, including proper disposal of sharps and biohazardous material when trained.
Knowledge of safety protocols: PPE selection and use, wet floor signage, ladder safety, and lockout/tagout basics for custodial tasks.
Ability to perform routine inspections and report building deficiencies with clear, actionable detail.
Inventory management and supply requisition best practices to maintain stock levels and control costs.
Valid driver’s license or facility-specific certification when transporting supplies or driving housekeeping carts (if required).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and pride in delivering visually clean, hygienic, and safe spaces.
Dependability and punctuality; ability to work independently with minimal supervision on shift.
Effective communication skills for interacting with occupants, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
Time management and organization to complete assigned routes and prioritize urgent cleaning tasks.
Customer-service orientation and discretion when working in occupied or sensitive environments.
Physical stamina and dexterity to stand, walk, lift, bend, and perform prolonged manual tasks.
Problem-solving mindset to identify root causes of recurring custodial issues and offer practical solutions.
Teamwork and flexibility to cover shifts and adapt to changing facility needs and special projects.
Learning agility to adopt new cleaning technologies, chemicals, and safety protocols.
Ethical conduct and respect for occupant privacy and property.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred but not required; equivalent experience often accepted.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate or coursework in facilities maintenance, building services, or custodial management.
Certifications such as IICRC (carpet/floor care), OSHA 10/30, bloodborne pathogen training, or certified floor technician are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facility Management
Building Maintenance / Trades
Hospitality Management
Environmental Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–5 years of custodial or janitorial experience; many roles accept 6–12 months with strong references and training.

Preferred:

1–3+ years of commercial custodial experience with documented floor care and equipment operation.
Prior experience in large facilities (schools, hospitals, corporate campuses) or contract custodial operations is advantageous.