Janitor Work
Janitor work can be applied for the cleaning, sometimes housekeeping processes of definite corporation, organization, association, or company. Basically, a janitor can be a professional employee or worker of a cleaning alliance or service who is under an indenture of managing the cleaning and maintenance operations.
A janitor can also find jobs in schools, colleges, factories, stores, apartments, buildings, or in private business sections as a member of the support department and in public structures or constructions as a cleaning staff member. He performs the work of cleaning furniture, floor, utensils, equipment, etc.
What do I need to become a janitor?
In small scale productions and enterprises, janitor jobs don't need any union membership or particular licensing, except some kind of bonds and indemnity. However, for direct appoint janitor jobs in sanatoriums or schools proper licensing or training related to different sections of maintenance may be obligatory. The candidate applying for any janitor job needs to have a clean and spotless criminal record.
Take note of the important points given below for becoming a good janitor:
- A janitor does not require any higher level of education to obtain any janitor job. However, he may require a high school diploma. Most janitors are taught about the responsibilities and duties of the job while they are working. This gives them hands-on experience and knowledge about the job
- Conversely, at some locations, janitors are required to undergo a security and safety training known as 'WHMIS' meaning Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
- Health is the major concern in this field. The janitor should be healthy and flexible so as to stretch, bend, stand and walk for long hours
- The janitor needs to be accustomed with the usage and handling of machinery and appliances like polishers, vacuum cleaners, etc., that are used in janitorial work
- Lastly, the janitor should understand and respond to the instructions given by the authorities and perform the given tasks accurately and appropriately
What are the job opportunities in janitorial profession?
Here are some of the work profiles that come under the janitorial profession:
- Custodian: A custodian is responsible for performing the customary janitorial tasks that includes waxing, dusting, sanitizing, vacuuming, buffing, detailing, stripping floors, and cleaning common areas, corridors, windows, doors, and restrooms
- Airline Cabin Janitor: An airline cabin janitor is required to check the security seals, empty trash bins, change of pillows and blankets, clean the restroom, and make certain that the airplane objects and other amenities are at right places
- Landscape Groundskeeper: Landscape groundskeeper is expected to carry out small landscaping tasks such as raking, picking up of garbage, blowing leaves, sweeping, etc. Besides, he maintains outdoor recreation sections, changing window blinds, bulbs, air filters, stove burners, etc.
- Auto Detailer: An auto detailer washes, cleans, waxes automobiles viz., trucks and cars and also looks after the vacuuming and dusting of its interiors
What are the work conditions?
Most janitor jobs have typical work conditions as given below:
- The janitor usually works indoors, but may perform his tasks outdoors as per the requirement for a short period of time
- He needs to be attired in safety wears like masks, gloves, jackets, etc., for several health and security reasons
- He may be subjected to fatigue, tiredness, or infections due to immense physical work involved and the work environment
- He often works after office hours and weekends as per the schedules. Ideally, the work hours are 40 per week
What are the prospects of janitor jobs?
An experienced janitor can work as a janitor supervisor, building operator, or go for other higher levels of janitorial jobs. He may even initiate his own business related to janitorial profession. Janitorial jobs have spread over almost all parts of the urban and business world.
Today, janitorial jobs are taken up in universities, hospitals, residents, manufacturing plants, condominium, etc. Janitorial work is indispensable and cannot be excluded from any of the social, private or corporate institutes. So, janitor work has good prospects and growth in the broader outlook.
