Building Maintenance Worker

University of Chicago; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago is seeking a Facilities Technician to support on‑campus housing operations in Hyde Park‑Kenwood. You will perform routine maintenance, room turnovers, cleaning, access control, and event setup for residence halls.

The role requires strong customer service and the ability to coordinate with engineers or trades. Required are a High School Diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and prior maintenance or janitorial experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Valid Driver’s License required and must pass University motor vehicle check.
• Extensive experience as janitor/maintenance for residential property preferred.
• Ability to read basic documentation and use common software for work orders.

Responsibilities

• Perform non‑mechanical repairs and general services in student spaces.
• Assist with room turnovers, cleaning, access, and event setup.
• Coordinate with engineers or skilled trades as needed; generate follow‑up work orders.
• Maintain cleanliness and safe conditions in lobbies, entrances, and exterior areas.
• Respond to emergencies such as water leaks and fire alarms.

Skills

Customer service

Coordination

Organization

English communication

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Driver’s License

Job description

Department OPS Facilities RH&D

About the Department Facilities Services supports the mission of the University of Chicago through efforts to maintain and enhance the University campus and environment and provide superior client service to our community including faculty, students, staff, neighbors and visitors.

Job Summary

Facilities Services (FS) is tasked with operating the University’s undergraduate, graduate, faculty and staff housing on campus and in the Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood. Reporting to a Facilities Manager, this position provides standard and conference room service, room turnover, access, and event set-up for residence hall operations. This position can perform any and all duties of lower classifications in same occupational group.

Responsibilities

Regular attendance is required to perform all essential functions of this position. As directed, performs non‑mechanical repair and other services in common and student room space. Work orders may include light bulb changing, light carpentry, touch‑up painting, minor damage to furniture, window treatments, and storm window and screen removal, repair, cleaning & installation. Incumbent shall have a commitment to providing best‑practice level of customer service to residents and the community. Generates follow up work orders for requests that require the services of engineers or skilled trades. Maintain and ensure the orderly appearance of adjoining areas and special equipment that support student life including site amenities such as loading docks, grills, patios, decks, exterior stairwells, green roofs and bicycle racks to maintain safe and presentable areas of travel accessible paths. Provide significant physical support for snow shoveling and removal, policing litter at entrances and exterior refuse collection. Position provides entrance and lobby monitoring for cleanliness and emergency response cleaning. Performs non‑mechanical repair and other services necessary for room / apartment turnover between student or residence staff occupancy which may also include household moving. May include post‑occupancy inspections, bulk content removal and disposal, furniture inventory and repair, window treatments, window screens and storms, light bulb replacement, minor plumbing, light carpentry, access coordination, follow‑up and final quality inspection. Generates follow up work orders for requests that require the service of engineers or skilled trades. Completes daily tasks including but not limited to: Loading dock organization and cleaning, exterior trash monitoring and collection, entrance and lobby monitoring and cleaning. Performs emergency response cleaning, off season apartment and dorm room cleaning and summer conference room cleaning. Performs various cleaning, minor turnover maintenance and linen/towel/accessory coordination and distribution and room make‑up tasks as scheduled and described herein to provide short‑term conference and guest room/apartment turnover. Performs all work required for setting up, moving, removing, cleaning and preparing for event setup in support of programs as directed. Performs and participates in office‑wide programs, initiatives, and relationships and collaborating with colleagues. Serves as an ambassador for clients and residence staff. Examples include resident staff moves, recommending products, accepting deliveries, storage room management and oversight on open days, furniture and supply inventory management, installing common bath dispensers, and bicycle room clean‑outs. Key member of the team supporting annual move‑ins and move‑outs with heavy student and family contact. Provides room or common space access and oversight for students, FS trades, outside contractors, and management and for scheduled inspections by management, professional consultants or contractors. May provide coordination of activities with janitorial contractor and assist in new staff training orientation. Responds promptly to emergency situations such as water leaks and fire alarms. Other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications: Education: High School Diploma or GED from an accredited institutions required. Experience: Extensive experience as skilled janitor/housekeeper or maintenance specialist for a residential property with demonstrated experience with service and minor repair typical of a furnished residential property required. Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver’s License required. Must successfully complete the University’s Motor Vehicle Records process. Completion of a maintenance apprentice program or certificate program preferred. Technical Knowledge or Skills: Demonstrated ability to use or learn to use a range of position related software applications required. These may include standard software packages as well as networked systems, email, the Web and other types of information structures,required. Demonstrated ability to read and understand basic documentation such as help screens and departmental handouts required. Adhere to F/A Core Values, including, but not limited to collaboration, safety, service, efficiency and effectiveness, credibility, responsiveness, quality, accountability and respect. Demonstrated organization skills to manage and complete multiple requests simultaneously required. Demonstrated ability to work with supervision to identify and describe work task priorities required. Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead the work of others required. Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact and courtesy with patrons, staff, faculty, students and others required. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing required. Demonstrated ability to recognize and resolve or refer problems and conflicts required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must be capable of strenuous daily physical activity such as snow shoveling and removal, walking, crouching, kneeling, climbing, lift up to 50 pounds, carrying, driving, and cleaning. Ability to work efficiently, professionally and safely with tools of the maintenance trade, snow blowers, snow shovels and small hand tools. Ability to occasionally work from ladders or lifts up to ten feet. Requisition materials and supplies as needed for projects so as to ensure productive and efficient use of skills and time.

Pay Range

$21.61 per hour

Required Documents

Resume Cover Letter References

Benefits

Benefit Eligibility Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Pay Rate Type

Hourly Pay Range $18.37 - $21.61 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Working Hours and Union

Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Union 022- Local 743, I.B.T. Service Maintenance Job is Exempt No Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required Yes

Posting Date

2026-07-07

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Accommodations

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

Background Check

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

Security & Fire Safety Report

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

About the University

The University of Chicago is an urban research university that has driven new ways of thinking since 1890. Our commitment to free and open inquiry draws inspired scholars to our global campuses, where ideas are born that challenge and change the world. We empower individuals to challenge conventional thinking in pursuit of original ideas. Students in the College develop critical, analytic, and writing skills in our rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum. Through graduate programs, students test their ideas with UChicago scholars, and become the next generation of leaders in academia, industry, nonprofits, and government.

More Information

To learn more about the university click here http://www.uchicago.edu/

Recruitment Process

The University of Chicago uses AI‑assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.