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Janitor Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a Janitor Do?

A janitor cleans and maintains buildings such as offices, schools, hospitals, and public facilities. Buildings ranging from commercial to industrial to residential are often served by janitors. It is the primary responsibility of a janitor to clean the floors, restrooms, offices, and other areas of a building. Floors need to be swept, mopped, and vacuumed, surfaces and furniture need to be cleaned, and trash and recyclables need to be disposed of. Additionally, janitors may be required to replenish toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.

A janitor may also be responsible for performing minor maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs, replacing air filters, and repairing minor plumbing problems. At the end of the day, they may also be responsible for locking up the facilities and securing buildings.

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National Average Salary

Janitor salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.

The average U.S. salary for a Janitor is:

$32,190

Janitor Job Descriptions

Crafting the perfect job description may be the key to finding an exceptional janitor. To help you with your recruiting search, our team has put together some examples from past openings.

Example 1

A janitor is needed for hire at [Your Company Name]. The job of the janitor is generally straightforward and there should be no confusion as to what the role entails. The summary of this job is this: maintain and clean the designated facility. This includes mopping, sweeping, vacuuming, etc. On top of this, you must also stock supplies. This can vary from restroom supplies, cleaning supplies, or other items customers are free to use. If the janitor comes across something in need of minor repair, it is on the shoulders of the janitor to fix what is needed. If major repairs are found, you must report it to higher-ups, or whomever it may concern. Facilities will inevitably have trash being brought into the building, if not producing it. The janitor must take out the trash and clean garbage containers. Logging routine work will most likely be essential, depending on your assigned facility. Aside from that, you may have to document certain things, such as the acidity of the water. Finally, after all else is complete, the janitor will be responsible for locking all doors prior to leaving. If this seems like something you are capable of doing, this may be the job for you!

Typical duties and responsibilities

  • Maintain daily cleanliness of warehouse and related areas
  • Dust and clean walls, rails, doors, work areas, etc.
  • Break down corrugated boxes and cardboard for recycling
  • Empty garbage cans and bins
  • Maintain safe work practices

Education and experience

  • This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent

Required skills and qualifications

  • Time management skills
  • Ability to work independently with minimal oversight
  • Ability to perform physical labor
  • Availability to work evening or weekend hours

Preferred qualifications

  • Conscientious and efficient, with excellent attention to detail
  • Ability to handle unpleasant tasks with a positive demeanor
  • Being on-time and dependable

Example 2

In this role, you are responsible for the cleaning and upkeep of the facility. This includes designated areas in the warehouse, restrooms, break rooms, and office areas of the facility. Work within safety guidelines and under the guidance of the maintenance supervisors. Willing to work any and all shifts including weekends and overtime.

What you’ll do

  • Detailed cleaning and sanitization of assigned areas according to the frequency indicated on your assigned schedule
  • Clear and consistent communication with internal and external partners regarding facilities maintenance problems (i.e. leaking faucets, burnt out light bulbs, inoperable dispensers)
  • Ability to effectively utilize all janitorial equipment and maintain the expected janitorial supply inventory levels
  • Responsible for following all safety guidelines and procedures

Who you are

  • Practical experience as a custodian
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Must maintain a professional demeanor and appearance at all times
  • Stand and walk for up to 100% of shift
  • Ability to lift, push, pull up to 50 lbs. and 20-30 lbs. for approximately 50% of shift
  • Ability to go up and down stairs up to 10% of shift

Example 3

Provide general labor services to all departments on the premises.

Duties

  • Will perform all work including movement of materials, car and truck loading and unloading, clean up, and all other unskilled work not otherwise set out in jobs listed in higher labor grades
  • Must be able to perform the work associated with maintaining a clean, safe, and attractive work environment. This includes aisle ways, stairways, lavatories, lunchroom, and plant office floors. Waste containers must be emptied daily and returned to the designated areas
  • Must be capable of using whatever cleaning equipment is provided for performing their duties in an efficient manner
  • The Company reserves the right to initiate on the job training programs for employees in this classification in order to upgrade them for assignment to other classifications. If ability of employees in this classification is relatively equal, then seniority will be the governing factor for on the job training
  • Is responsible for keeping equipment and surrounding area clean at all times
  • Under the direction and monitoring of department supervisor is responsible for the training of a replacement Janitor/GSW
  • Must maintain written and/or electronic records as required by management (i.e. cGMP and ISO procedures)
  • Must exercise extreme caution in order to not damage material or property while operating equipment and must at all times exercise extreme caution for the safety of other employees
  • Is responsible for removing accumulated hazardous wastes from laboratory and other areas and for transporting such wastes to the hazardous waste storage area
  • Is responsible for the application or placement of Certificates of Analysis on finished product(s) at the Distribution Center or designated area
  • Performs other duties as directed by supervisor
  • May be a training position for upgrade to other job classifications
  • Reliable, good communication skills, able to work with all levels of the organization. Able to work with minimal direct supervision
  • Performs necessary quality and inventory control data gathering and input in either written or electronic formats
  • Maintenance of personal hygiene

Education

  • High School Diploma or GED

Preferred experience

Former Janitorial experience preferred

Required skills

  • May be expected to move, carry and lift approximately 100 pounds. May be expected to climb heights of approximately 18 feet. Stand for long periods of time
  • Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment, as required
  • Ability to access all parts of all production equipment, including, but not limited to the following: confined spaces; ceiling mounted equipment; equipment in pits, machines that must be climbed, crawled under, or otherwise entered with limited access
  • Equipment may be used as needed to assist in these duties
  • Including but not limited to, prime movers, hand trucks, floor scrubber, tenant sweeper, buffer, furniture moving equipment, cardboard baler, and trash compactor

Example 4

This position will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the Office, Warehouse, Restrooms, and Facility entrances.

  • Cleanliness and maintenance of the Warehouse and Corporate Office
  • Maintain storage areas and restocks as needed
  • Replenish paper towel, toilet paper, and soap supplies
  • Maintain safety in all areas by placing proper signage as needed
  • Responsible for keeping all common surfaces disinfected throughout the day inside and outside of the building
  • Report any issues that need immediate attention (toilet running, sink not draining, lights out, building damage, etc.)
  • Removal of snow from walkways and entrances and de-icing whenever there is winter weather to ensure the walkways are accessible and safe
  • Ability to work as a team and with other departments as needed
  • Ensure adherence to quality standards and health and safety regulations
  • Proper disposal of garbage
  • Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor/Manager

Requirements

  • Proven experience as custodian, janitor, or in a similar role
  • Basic verbal communication skills
  • Flexible schedule
  • Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions
  • Detail oriented
  • Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment

Candidate Certifications to Look For

  • IJSCA – The International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association offers several different certificates, each resembling specific fields. These include residential, masters, custodial, medical, carpet, and more! These in-depth certifications will prove to candidates and their employers that they are committed to this line of work with hopes to improve their offered services. 
  • OSHA Safety and Health Specialist Certificate Program – This program is designed to provide information to candidates who wish to thrive in their career, land a job, or impress their employer. It goes over the general knowledge of handling supplies and machinery in their given work field to ensure safety is a priority. 

Sample Interview Questions

  • Do you have any experience working as a janitor?
  • How do you handle cleaning and maintenance tasks?
  • If you have multiple cleaning tasks to complete, how do you prioritize them?
  • Do you know how to keep a large facility, such as a school or hospital, clean and organized?
  • How do you ensure that cleaning supplies and equipment are properly stored and maintained?
  • Do you have any experience dealing with hazardous materials? If so, how did you handle them?
  • Are you able to give an example of how you have gone above and beyond in your janitorial duties to make a facility more clean and safe?
  • When it comes to your work and any concerns that may arise, how do you communicate with building occupants and supervisors?
  • How do you ensure that you’re using proper precautions with cleaning chemicals?

Need help hiring a Janitor?

We match top professionals with great employers across the country. From filling urgent job openings to developing long-term hiring strategies, our team is here to help. Review our staffing solutions, browse our award-winning Staffing Corner blog, or call today. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

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