Janitor - The North Star, Day Shift

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day (8am - 4pm)

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC: Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered-site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

JOB DEFINITION: The Janitor performs a variety of cleaning and minor repair tasks in assigned DESC facilities to keep the properties looking good and functioning well.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform necessary janitorial and maintenance tasks in all areas of assigned facilities, including, but not limited to, individual apartments, hallways, common areas, offices, storage and trash rooms, equipment rooms, stairways, elevators, kitchens, laundry rooms, lounges, bathrooms, showers, alleys, sidewalks, roofs, and decks or patios.
• Monitor facilities and equipment for damage and provide upkeep and repair as needed.
• Perform routine cleaning assignments by following a regular cleaning schedule.
• Complete other cleaning duties, including unit turnovers, as assigned.
• Communicate repair or extensive cleaning needs to supervisor before starting work, seeking assistance to complete maintenance work not within personal skill level.
• Do not enter occupied apartments without prior approval from supervisor.
• Work at ground level or from ladders.
• Carry and lift heavy materials, containers, ladders, tools, and other equipment to and around work sites.
• Report building or apartment repairs needed during work to supervisor for electrical systems (switches, outlets, breakers, fixtures, and minor wiring), general carpentry (woodwork, door maintenance, floor repair, wallboard and plaster work, painting, and lock systems repair), and plumbing.
• Respond to emergencies, initiating emergency maintenance actions, cleaning up debris, water, etc., and contacting supervisors.
• Safeguard building and unit keys, never giving anyone access to occupied tenant units.
• Read and record in maintenance logs or other record-keeping systems to receive assignments and communicate progress.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings, as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of janitorial/maintenance experience, preferred.
• Ability to organize workload and complete duties with minimum direct supervision.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with people from various backgrounds.
• Ability to handle a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviour from clients.
• Commitment to the philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to stand and/or walk constantly, sit, climb ladders & stairs, bend/stoop, squat/crouch, kneel and reach above shoulders frequently; and may need to crawl occasionally. The employee will also be required to communicate with other employees, work at ground level as well as on ladders including accessible roofs and patios. Frequent lifting, pushing/pulling and carrying items weighing up to 75 pounds including heavy materials, ladders, tools and other equipment to and around work sites may be required. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, colour vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Also required is the ability to tolerate strong odours and ability to wear appropriate protective equipment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, colour, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.