Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Building Caretaker
A Building Caretaker is a professional who plays a vital role in the maintenance and management of buildings. They are responsible for ensuring the cleanliness, security, and functionality of the premises. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Building Caretakers.
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Main Responsibilities of a Building Caretaker
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Building Caretaker:
Answer
Answer emails and phone calls from residents.
Assist in
- Assist building move-ins / move-outs.
- Assist First Responders and execution of emergency protocol if needed.
- Assist in budget preparation and cost control measures related to building maintenance.
- Assist in the setup and coordination of meetings, events, and move-ins/move-outs.
Attend
Attend after hours emergencies.
Call
Call appropriate services upon breakdowns of materials / equipment.
Check
Check in daily basis all mechanical and electrical.
Clean
- Clean all common areas including entrances, exits, and the laundry room twice per week.
- Clean and disinfect bathrooms and fixtures.
- Clean apartments as they are vacated.
- Clean common areas in the building, such as.
- Clean light fixtures and change light bulbs / tubes, change ballasts where possible.
- Clean snow and ice from walkways and parking areas.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with property managers and other stakeholders to address tenant needs and ensure tenant satisfaction.
Collect
Collect rent and maintain receipts of rent collected.
Complete
Complete or update your profile and submit your application online.
Conduct
- Conduct regular inspections of fire safety equipment and emergency exits to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Conduct regular inspections of the building exterior, including sidewalks, parking lots, and landscaping, and arrange for necessary repairs or maintenance.
Coordinate
- Coordinate and supervise cleaning and janitorial staff, if applicable.
- Coordinate move in / out, lock elevator and prepare protection wall pads.
- Coordinate with contractors and vendors for repairs, maintenance, and other services.
- Coordinate with customers / Property Manager for scheduling move ins / outs.
Empty
Empty trash cans and other waste containers.
Enforce
Enforce building rules and regulations, addressing any violations or disturbances.
Ensure
- Ensure all safety precautions are followed while performing the work.
- Ensure building and surrounding areas are maintained and clear of debris (safe walk-ways).
- Ensure proper functioning of building systems, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and plumbing.
- Ensure that all activities are completed safely and efficiently.
- Ensure that security and safety measures are in place.
- Ensure the building is maintained – small repairs and cleaning.
- Ensure the compressors are cleaned daily, and perform preventative maintenance.
Follow
- Follow all policies and Standard Operating Procedures as instructed by Management.
- Follow the procedure of the Service Now internal App..
Handle
Handle maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs, repairing minor fixtures, and addressing plumbing leaks.
Keep
- Keep accurate records of building maintenance activities, including work orders, inspections, and repairs.
- Keep the inventory of lights and other regular use products.
- Keep the Strata building common areas clean and tidy.
Liaise with
Liaise with contractors and external vendors.
Lubricate
Lubricate, clean, maintain and repair machinery, equipment and tools.
Maintain
- Maintain adequate supplies and equipment for the maintenance department.
- Maintain a tidy garbage area.
- Maintain building health, fire, and code procedures.
- Maintain cleanliness and tidiness of common areas, including lobbies, hallways, and restrooms.
- Maintain the grounds, including landscaped areas, sidewalks and parking lots.
Manage
Manage waste disposal and recycling processes, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Monitor
- Monitor and maintain the security of the building, including locking doors, monitoring surveillance cameras, and responding to emergencies.
- Monitor / assign duties and tasks as required.
Move
Move heavy furniture, equipment and supplies.
Operate
Operate industrial vacuum cleaners to remove scraps, dirt, heavy debris and other refuse.
Oversee
- Oversee and maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, tools, and equipment.
- Oversee recycling program.
Perform
- Perform any range of special projects, tasks and other related duties as assigned.
- Perform a variety of plumbing maintenance and carpentry functions.
- Perform minor repairs on appliances.
- Perform or assist with any operations as required to maintain workflow and to meet schedules.
- Perform other minor routine maintenance jobs such as painting and drywall patch-repair.
- Perform other routine maintenance jobs such as painting and drywall repair.
- Perform routine inspections to identify maintenance needs and report any issues to the appropriate personnel.
- Perform routine maintenance tasks on equipment and machinery.
- Perform seasonal duties as required (gardening, mowing, weeding, snow removal and salting).
Place
Place recycling and garbage bins out to the curb on collection days.
Prepare
- Prepare correspondence and other miscellaneous tasks as needed.
- Prepare, paint and decorate interior and exterior surfaces, as required.
Provide
- Provide assistance during emergencies, such as evacuations or power outages.
- Provide solutions to all conflicts between tenants.
- Provide weekly / monthly reports to the Property Manager.
Respond to
Respond to tenant inquiries, concerns, and requests promptly and courteously.
Run
Run the daily maintenance schedule, assure the building is on a good shape everyday.
Schedule
Schedule and monitor all inspections as they relate to fire, alarm, equipment etc.
Stay updated with
Stay updated with building codes, safety regulations, and industry best practices.
Use
- Use of computer equipment to produce documents.
- Use onsite equipment such as, but not limited to, the power washer, to maintain the building.
Vacuum
Vacuum / wash floors, elevators, hallways, stairs, windows and common rooms twice per week.
Wash
Wash windows, interior walls and ceilings.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Building Caretaker:
- Basic knowledge of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
- Proficiency in using maintenance tools and equipment, such as power tools, cleaning machines, and hand tools.
- Understanding of safety procedures and protocols, including fire safety and emergency response.
- Knowledge of building maintenance practices, such as painting, carpentry, and minor repairs.
- Ability to operate and maintain building security systems, including surveillance cameras and access control.
- Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) for work order tracking and inventory management.
- Basic understanding of energy-efficient practices and sustainable building maintenance.
- Knowledge of proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, blueprints, and schematics.
- Proficiency in using software applications for record-keeping and reporting.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Building Caretaker:
- Excellent communication skills to interact with tenants, contractors, and property managers.
- Strong problem-solving abilities to address maintenance issues and find practical solutions.
- Attention to detail in performing inspections, identifying maintenance needs, and documenting work.
- Time management and organizational skills to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Flexibility and adaptability to handle changing priorities and emergent situations.
- Customer service orientation to provide a positive experience for tenants and visitors.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Physical stamina and dexterity to perform manual tasks and handle equipment.
- Professionalism and integrity in maintaining confidentiality and respecting privacy.
- Ability to work well in a team environment, collaborating with other building staff and stakeholders.
Conclusion
A Building Caretaker plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper maintenance and functionality of buildings. Their responsibilities range from cleaning and security to maintenance and tenant support. To excel in this role, Building Caretakers should possess a combination of hard skills related to building systems and maintenance tools, as well as soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and customer service. By mastering these skills, Building Caretakers can effectively contribute to the smooth operation and upkeep of buildings, creating a safe and comfortable environment for occupants.
