Janitor - Burbridge Place

DESC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental coverage

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Medical coverage

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

ORCA card subsidy

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Retirement Plan

Job summary

DESC in Seattle is seeking a dedicated janitor to perform cleaning and basic maintenance across DESC facilities, helping keep properties safe, clean, and well-maintained. The role emphasizes teamwork, reliable communication, and adherence to safety protocols.

You'll work day shifts, with weekend days off (Saturday and Sunday), and join a union represented workforce. Training and opportunities to contribute to DESC's mission to assist people experiencing homelessness are provided.

Qualifications

• Two years of janitorial/maintenance experience preferred.
• Ability to organize workload with minimum supervision.
• Ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to handle unpleasant or challenging behavior from clients.
• Commitment to cooperation across programs and respect for clients.

Responsibilities

• Perform janitorial and maintenance tasks in all areas of assigned facilities, including apartments, hallways, common areas, offices, storage and other rooms.
• Monitor facilities and equipment for damage and upkeep needs.
• Follow a regular cleaning schedule and complete unit turnovers as assigned.
• Communicate repair or extensive cleaning needs to supervisor before starting work.
• Maintain safety and security by safeguarding keys and reporting issues.
• Record activities in maintenance logs and participate in trainings as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Adaptability

Job description

Description

Days Off: Saturday, Sunday

Shift: Day

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.

Requirements

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 behavior 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, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Also required is the ability to tolerate strong odors and ability to wear appropriate protective equipment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC iscommittedto 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, color, 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.