Janitor Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the janitor job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the janitor role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Janitor Do?

A Janitor is responsible for cleaning and maintaining buildings such as hospitals, schools, hotels, and residential accommodation. Apart from cleaning which is their main task, they also perform certain security duties.

The job description of a janitor entails cleaning the outdoors and indoors of schools, office buildings, hospitals, and other public or private organization facilities.

They perform most of their functions indoors but sometimes it could be outdoors with tasks which include mowing lawns, sweeping walk-paths, and clearing outdoor waste bins.

Janitors usually carry out cleaning tasks in the evening when office buildings or other facilities have been vacated.

They are tasked with the responsibility of inspecting property, and performing maintenance duties such as replacing light bulbs and other minor repairs.

A janitor’s role in a hospital, school, or any other facility include sweeping, cleaning, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, emptying waste bins, and fixing minor issues.

They may be responsible for unlocking and locking buildings early in the morning and late in the evening respectively.

Their work description also involves resupplying or restocking restroom paper products and toiletries such as air freshener, towels and soaps.

They perform periodic duties like waxing the floors, trimming shrubs/trees and other duties as required.

Janitors may also do seasonal inspection on utilities like smoke detectors, air conditioning units, fire place and others.

The minor repairs they perform might include fixing leaky pipes, replacing bulbs, and possibly faulty doors and window.

They must have a good knowledge of cleaning procedures and practice which include keeping an eye on their cleaning supplies/equipment and maintaining proper functionality.

In performing their duties, janitors maintain good knowledge of safety practices as well as experience working with chemicals.

They must be able to withstand the physical nature of their job when performing tasks, which includes lifting of heavy objects, bending, and standing for extended period whilst cleaning.

To work as a janitor requires no formal education, but some experience performing cleaning and upkeep tasks.

The qualities you will need to be effective on this job include endurance from physical performance, mechanical skill, good handling of tools, equipment and chemicals, and adherence to safety measures.

Janitor Job Description Example/Template

Janitors perform various functions in keeping buildings cleaned and properly maintained.

The major tasks, duties, and responsibilities commonly performed by janitors are highlighted in the job description example below:

• Clean building floors by sweeping, scrubbing, mopping, waxing, and vacuuming them
• Mow lawns, cut grasses, and trim shrubs or trees around the designated environment
• Clean, polish office tables, chairs, desks and all other furniture used in the office or the entire building
• Dust mechanical devices like monitors, desktops, printers, and any other device
• Clean windows, doors, glasses and mirrors with soapy water, sponge and any other necessary cleaning substance
• Make minor repairs to plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems in a building
• Maintain the supply and equipment needed for cleaning duties
• Make sure that waste bins are emptied to avoid trash littering around
• Restock or resupply restroom papers and make sure the toilet is in a good condition
• Take good care of the environment or building to make sure that hazardous materials are removed
• Meet with any authority in the building to make request for items needed for work
• Take careful and safety measures in the use of chemicals which can be harmful to the body or can damage things
• Unlock and lock building doors early in the morning and late in evening respectively.

Download job description template.

Requirements – Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge – for Janitor Job

If you are applying for the job of a janitor, here are typical requirements most employers may want you to meet to qualify for the role:

• Education and Training: The janitor job requires no formal education for employment; it only requires upkeep/cleaning experience and ability to perform assigned duties
• Mechanical Skill: Janitors are able to make minor repairs to fix plumbing, electrical and mechanical faults with equipment such as mower and vacuum cleaner
• Security: They monitor operations within company premises and report any suspicious activity to appropriate security personnel
• Consistency/Endurance: They are required to perform their daily duties regularly. They are also able to lift heavy loads and bend or stand for long periods while carrying out cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Conclusion

If you need to make a job description for the position of janitor in your organization for use in recruiting for the role, the sample copy presented in this post can assist you in producing one.

You need to create and publish a detailed description of the position to improve your chances of getting the best qualified people applying for the job. The content of this article can help you achieve just that.

And if you are interested in the janitor job, this post will help you to learn about the duties and responsibilities of the role so you know what assignment to expect to be given when hired.