Janitor and Housekeeper Supervisors

Career summary

#no matching wois occ

Janitors and housekeepers clean buildings. Janitor and housekeeping supervisors schedule and supervise these workers. They work in buildings such as:

• Hospitals
• Hotels
• Offices
• Schools
• Stores

Supervisors assign duties to janitors and cleaners. They inspect their work to be sure it meets standards of cleanliness. Supervisors take inventory to be sure they have enough supplies. They also issue cleaning supplies and equipment to workers, such as:

• Bucket
• Mop
• Polishing Machine
• Vacuum

Supervisors make sure the equipment is in proper working order and may maintain and fix them.

Janitor and housekeeper supervisors interview job applicants and hire new workers. They also recommend that staff be promoted or fired. They train workers and explain policies and work procedures. They show staff how to use and maintain the equipment. They attend staff meetings to discuss policies or customers' complaints.

Supervisors record employee data, such as tasks assigned or hours worked. They prepare reports on payroll and expenses. In addition, some supervisors have cleaning duties.

Related careers

This career is part of the Hospitality and Tourism cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors
• Food Service Worker Supervisors
• Janitors
• Maids and Housekeepers
• Restaurant Managers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to janitor and housekeeper supervisors.

• Schedule and supervise the work of janitors and housekeepers.
• Assign tasks and inspect work to be sure it meets cleanliness standards.
• Issue supplies and equipment to workers.
• Inventory stock of cleaning supplies and order items. Check equipment to make sure it is working properly.
• Interview job applicants, hire staff, and recommend promotions and dismissals.
• Attend staff meetings to discuss company policies and customers' complaints.
• Establish standards and procedures for housekeeping staff. Investigate complaints.
• Train new and experienced workers in policies, procedures, and use of equipment.
• Record employee data and prepare reports.
• May perform cleaning duties.
• If working in hospitals or clinics, ensure germs and infections aren't spread.
• If working in hotels, work with manager to resolve conflicts and notify them when rooms are ready.
• Investigate and resolve complaints about service and equipment.

Common work activities

Janitor and housekeeper supervisors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Get information needed to do the job
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Coach others
• Handle and move objects
• Evaluate information against standards
• Schedule work and activities
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Develop and build teams
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Teach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Monitor and control resources
• Perform for or work with the public
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Control machines and processes

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, janitor and housekeeper supervisors:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with those they supervise.
• Communicate daily by telephone, face-to-face discussions, and e-mail.
• Are responsible for the work outcomes and results of other workers.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of their workers and their clients.
• May be placed in conflict situations in which others may become angry or rude.
• Often work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

• Often work indoors, but may work outdoors for brief periods.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants such as cleaning solutions.
• Frequently wear safety attire, such as masks, to protect them from fumes.
• May be exposed to diseases or infections from soiled client items.
• May work physically close to others, usually a few feet away.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is exact so that clients are happy with their work.
• Make most decisions and set their daily tasks and goals without consulting another first.
• Must meet daily and weekly deadlines.
• Occasionally must keep pace with the speed of cleaning equipment.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week. Schedules are usually regular and established.
• Often work evenings and weekends, when buildings are empty.

Physical demands

Janitor and housekeeper supervisors frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for janitor and housekeeper supervisors to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for janitor and housekeeper supervisors to be able to:

• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Move arms and legs quickly.

Skills and abilities

Janitor and housekeeper supervisors need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Custodial Services

Other programs of study to consider

• Building Maintenance
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Hospitality Management

Training

To work as a janitor and housekeeping supervisor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. Knowledge of a language other than English can be helpful.

Work experience

Janitor and housekeeping supervisors usually have many years of experience working as a janitor or housekeeper. This allows them to move up in their field.

On-the-job training

In some cases, employers will offer some training to new supervisors. This will depend on the employer. Training may last up to three months.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Building Maintenance
• Home Maintenance
• Institutional Maintenance
• Physical Education

Many janitor and housekeeper supervisors are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for dependable, hard-working people who are in good health. Employers also prefer applicants who follow directions well and get along with other people. Supervisors need to be well-organized and have good communication skills. Experience doing the job they will supervise is also very important.

Tips

Workers may benefit from professional certification from hospitality organizations such as the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, which is listed in the Other Resources section of this description.

#Added tip 4/16/18 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country.

Full-time janitor and housekeeper supervisors usually earn benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Self-employed supervisors must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 33% of janitor and housekeeper supervisors are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Building maintenance service companies
• Schools
• Hotels and motels
• Nursing and residential care facilities
• Hospitals

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. Many new jobs are expected in the health care industry.

Job prospects are best for those with experience. Job openings will occur as people leave the occupation for other jobs.

Other resources

American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute 
(Certification options in the hospitality industry)

Hospitality Careers Online 

International Executive Housekeepers Association 
1001 Eastwind Drive, Suite 302
Westerville, OH 43081-3361
800.200.6342
614.895.7166

References

Career cluster

• Hospitality and Tourism

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers (37-1011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Executive Housekeeper (187.167-046) 
• Housekeeper (321.137-010) 
• Supervisor, Home Restoration Service (389.137-010) 
• Supervisor, Janitorial Services (381.137-010) 
• Supervisor, Maintenance (382.137-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Housekeeping & Maintenance Manager

Holland occupational cluster

• Enterprising/Conventional/Realistic

COPSystem

• Service Skilled