Janitor

First United; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Life insurance

Long-term Disability

AD&D

Vacation days

Statutory holidays

Sick leave

Inclusive culture

Job summary

FIRST UNITED is seeking a dedicated janitorial worker to maintain clean, safe, and welcoming Shelter spaces at 467 Alexander Street, Vancouver. This role supports a low-barrier environment, assisting with daily cleaning, restrooms, floors, and common areas while adhering to WHMIS guidelines.

The position emphasizes a respectful approach to vulnerable individuals and requires Grade 12, WHMIS knowledge, and janitorial experience in or with non-profit settings.

Qualifications

• Ability to maintain a calm, welcoming and professional demeanor with vulnerable individuals.
• Good observation and safety awareness when handling cleaning duties.
• WHMIS knowledge is preferred for chemical handling.

Responsibilities

• Sweep, mop, scrub or vacuum floors.
• Empty trash and service restrooms.
• Clean windows, dust furniture and fixtures.
• Fix running or blocked toilets and maintain vents.
• Move heavy furniture and set up spaces for events.
• Monitor safety, security and notify management as needed.
• Complete supplies requisitions and assist with maintenance tasks.
• Perform periodic cleaning for bunk beds and laundry duties.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Safety awareness

English proficiency

Physical fitness

Shift flexibility

Education

Grade 12

WHMIS

Janitorial training

Job description

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community for 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low income, underhoused or homeless. We pursue dignity, belonging, and justice to meet the daily needs of community members while engaging in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles of poverty. If you're looking for purpose-filled work and want to make a difference in the community, this might be the opportunity for you.

Each job within the FIRST UNITED CHURCH Community Ministry Society should promote our accomplishment of our vision, mission, and values.

WHAT WE OFFER

Wage: $27.85 per hour (increased as a Living Wage employer)

• Annual salary progression for all staff.
• Comprehensive and 100% employer-paid health benefits including extended health and dental plan for regular staff, spouses and dependents.
• Life insurance, Long-term Disability, and AD&D benefits.
• 15 days of paid annual vacation.
• 13 statutory paid days off every year and 12 days of paid sick leave.
• An inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position’s objective is to keep all the worksite areas of our low-barrier Shelter clean and tidy, including the offices, washrooms, common areas, and sidewalk. This position exemplifies our values and is an important member of our Shelter team.

LOCATION:

Shelter - 467 Alexander Street, Vancouver B.C.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing or vacuuming.
• Gather and empty trash.
• Service, clean and supply restrooms.
• Clean windows inside and outside (where accessible), glass, and mirrors using soapy water or other cleaners, sponges and squeegees.
• Dust furniture, walls, ceilings and equipment.
• Fix toilets that are running or plugged.
• Clean ventilation system intake and output grills.
• Mix water and detergents or acids in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications and WHMIS requirements.
• Follow procedures for the use of chemical cleaners and power equipment in order to prevent damage to floors and fixtures.
• Strip, seal, finish, and polish floors.
• required.
• Monitor building security and safety by locking doors, garbage bins, etc
• Alert the team if assistance is needed for a community member
• Move heavy furniture, equipment and supplies either manually or by using vehicles.
• Notify management concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.
• Remove snow from sidewalks, driveways and outside the loading dock using snow shovels and spread snow melting chemicals.
• Complete requisitions for supplies and equipment needed for cleaning and maintenance duties and submit to the Manager.
• Perform preventative maintenance inside and outside the building upon request of the Manager.
• Set up, arrange and remove decorations, tables, chairs, ladders and scaffolding to prepare rooms for events such as meeting, dinners, etc.
• Maintain overall building appearance including watering plants, changing light bulbs, ensuring signage is free from graffiti, etc.
• Ensure cleanliness of bunk beds by cleaning with disinfectant and spraying insecticides for bed bugs using proper WHMIS practices.
• Maintain bunk beds to ensure the safety of employees and Shelter Residents by ensuring safety railing and screws are fastened correctly.
• Ensure laundry is completed daily.
• Other duties, as required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Ability to maintain a calm, welcoming, empathetic and professional demeanor with vulnerable and/or marginalized individuals.
• Ability to avoid engaging in incidents with staff, Community Members and volunteers.
• Good physical condition with ability to lift up to 25 kilograms.
• Ability to read and understand chemical labels.
• Ability to work different shifts and to maintain a good attendance and on time record.
• A driver’s license that is valid for the past ten (10) years is a plus.
• Good command of written and verbal English.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Grade 12.
• Janitorial training an asset, WHMIS
• Experience in a non-profit related environment, e.g. shelter, group home, recovery house, low-income housing

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Latitude:

The incumbent works fairly independently. If clarification is required, it is expected that the incumbent will request further direction from the Shelter Manager or their delegate.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Define any relationship accountability and communication needs with peers, management, leadership, Board of Directors, or external partners.

• Regular communication is maintained with all levels of staff and management.
• Communication is also maintained with management and co-workers as work is assigned and completed, and information is exchanged on an ongoing basis.

JOB CLASSIFICATION:

Bargaining Unit

Job Classification: CSSEA Provincial Agreement JJEP Classification 10

We are committed to becoming a more just, equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace, which extends to how we hire. We are continually learning new and unlearning old practices while examining systemic causes of inequity, including colonialism. We aim to be representative of the communities that we serve. We welcome everyone to apply, and we strongly encourage applications from members of communities that have been marginalized based on Indigeneity, race, colour, religion, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression. In order to achieve a representative team, preference may be given to people who are members of one or more of these groups.