What is a Janitor and Cleaner?
A Janitor or Cleaner (also Custodian) maintains cleanliness, order, and sanitation in commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings such as schools, hospitals, offices, and factories. This role is crucial for public health, safety, and the proper functioning of the physical environment, often involving minor maintenance tasks beyond just cleaning.
Typical Education
No minimum formal educational credential is typically required, though a high school diploma or equivalent may be preferred by some employers.
Salary Range in the United States
The median annual wage for Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, was $35,020 as of May 2023.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Day in the Life
How to Become a Janitor or Cleaner
The path to this profession is generally straightforward, focusing on on-the-job training and developing a reliable work ethic:
- Meet Basic Requirements: While no degree is needed, ensuring you can meet the physical demands of the job (lifting, bending, standing for long periods) is essential.
- Apply for Entry-Level Positions: Seek job openings directly with cleaning contractors, school districts, hospitals, or private commercial companies.
- Complete On-the-Job Training: Learn proper sanitation techniques, safety procedures for handling chemicals, and the operation of specialized equipment (e.g., floor buffers, carpet extractors).
- Gain Specialized Knowledge: In settings like hospitals or schools, focus on learning specific disinfection protocols and compliance with health regulations.
- Pursue Advancement: With proven reliability and experience, opportunities exist to become a lead custodian, foreman, or First-Line Supervisor of cleaning staff.
Essential Skills
- Physical Stamina: The endurance to perform physically demanding tasks, often involving lifting, pushing, and prolonged standing and walking.
- Attention to Detail: Meticulous observation to ensure all areas are properly cleaned and sanitized according to established standards.
- Time Management: Efficiency in completing a large list of tasks and cleaning multiple areas within a set time frame, often unsupervised.
- Basic Maintenance Skills: The ability to perform minor repairs, troubleshoot simple system issues, and operate specialized cleaning machinery.
- Safety and Chemical Knowledge: Understanding how to safely handle and store cleaning chemicals and adherence to OSHA and workplace safety guidelines.
Key Responsibilities
- Cleaning and Disinfecting: Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, vacuuming floors, and thoroughly cleaning, sanitizing, and restocking restrooms to maintain a safe, hygienic environment.
- Trash and Waste Management: Collecting and emptying trash receptacles from offices, common areas, and specialized containers, and ensuring proper disposal or recycling.
- General Maintenance: Performing minor repairs on buildings, equipment, and fixtures, such as changing light bulbs, fixing leaky faucets, or unstopping toilets.
- Outdoor and Grounds Work: In some roles, responsibilities include outdoor duties like sweeping walkways, picking up litter, and assisting with snow or ice removal.
- Equipment and Supply Management: Operating and maintaining large cleaning equipment (e.g., floor buffers), tracking inventory, and ordering cleaning and restroom supplies as needed.
Five Common Interview Questions
- "What is your process for cleaning and sanitizing a restroom to ensure all health standards are met?"
- Purpose: To evaluate the candidate's knowledge of hygiene best practices and detailed, systematic cleaning routines.
- "Describe a time you discovered a maintenance issue (e.g., a serious water leak or broken equipment). What did you do?"
- Purpose: To assess ability to identify hazards, problem-solve quickly, and follow reporting/emergency protocols.
- "How do you manage your time when you have a large area to clean or multiple urgent tasks that arise simultaneously?"
- Purpose: To evaluate time management, prioritization skills, and ability to remain organized under pressure.
- "What safety precautions do you always take when working with cleaning chemicals or operating heavy floor equipment?"
- Purpose: To confirm knowledge of chemical safety (e.g., proper mixing, ventilation) and safe operation of machinery.
- "Why do you believe the role of a janitor/custodian is important to an organization like ours?"
- Purpose: To gauge commitment, understanding of the role's value (hygiene, public image), and professional attitude.
Questions?
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