Maintenance Assistant/Handyman

Avina Healthcare; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Avina Healthcare is seeking a dependable Maintenance Assistant / Handyman to join our full-continuum long-term care facility. You will help maintain a safe, comfortable environment for residents, staff, and visitors while handling routine maintenance and repairs.

The ideal candidate has practical HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and general building maintenance experience, preferably in healthcare settings.

Qualifications

• HVAC experience is required and plumbing experience is required.
• Experience in building maintenance or related trade preferred.
• Able to diagnose problems and use common hand and power tools safely.
• Ability to read manuals and follow safety procedures.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills; able to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and emergency maintenance and repairs throughout the facility.
• Troubleshoot HVAC systems, including thermostats, ventilation, and related equipment.
• Perform plumbing repairs and maintenance on fixtures and water lines.
• Assist with preventative maintenance of building systems.
• Carry out carpentry and handyman work (doors, walls, ceilings, fixtures).
• Assist with electrical maintenance within training and regulations.
• Respond to work orders and resident/staff requests promptly.
• Inspect areas for maintenance and safety concerns.
• Assist with painting, drywall repair, caulking, and weatherproofing.
• Follow OSHA and life-safety policies; participate in weekend rotation.

Skills

HVAC experience

Plumbing experience

Electrical knowledge

Carpentry

General maintenance

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Safety procedures

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

Maintenance Assistant / Handyman

Position Type: Full-Time
Department: Environmental Services / Maintenance
Reports To: Maintenance Director / Administrator

Position Summary

We are seeking a dependable, skilled, and hands-on Maintenance Assistant / Handyman to join our team at a full-continuum long-term care facility. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe, comfortable, and functional environment for our residents, staff, and visitors.

The ideal candidate will have practical experience in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, general building maintenance, and repairs. Experience working in a healthcare, senior living, nursing home, assisted living, or other regulated facility is highly preferred.

This is a hands-on position requiring someone who can troubleshoot problems, complete routine preventative maintenance, respond to repair requests, and work effectively with residents, families, staff, and vendors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform routine and emergency maintenance and repairs throughout the facility.

• Troubleshoot, maintain, and perform basic repairs on HVAC systems, including heating, cooling, thermostats, ventilation, and related equipment.

• Perform plumbing repairs and maintenance, including faucets, toilets, sinks, drains, valves, water lines, and other plumbing fixtures.

• Assist with preventative maintenance of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building systems.

• Perform general carpentry and handyman work, including repairing doors, cabinets, walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture, and fixtures.

• Perform basic electrical maintenance and repairs within the scope of training and applicable regulations.

• Respond promptly to maintenance work orders and resident/staff requests.

• Inspect resident rooms, common areas, mechanical spaces, and exterior areas for maintenance and safety concerns.

• Assist with painting, patching, drywall repair, caulking, weatherproofing, and other building maintenance tasks.

• Assist with maintaining emergency systems and equipment and report deficiencies promptly.

• Follow all applicable OSHA, fire safety, infection-control, life-safety, and facility policies and procedures.

• Respond appropriately to urgent maintenance situations that may affect resident safety or comfort.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Director or Administrator.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in building maintenance, facilities maintenance, handyman work, or a related trade.

• Demonstrated HVAC experience is required.

• Demonstrated plumbing experience is required.

• General knowledge of electrical systems, carpentry, drywall, painting, and mechanical systems.

• Ability to diagnose problems, determine appropriate repairs, and use common hand and power tools safely.

• Ability to read and follow equipment manuals, maintenance instructions, and safety procedures.

• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a team.

• Good communication and customer-service skills.

• Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance requests in a busy healthcare environment.

• Ability to safely lift, carry, push, pull, climb, bend, kneel, and work in various physical positions as required by the job.

• Ability to respond to maintenance emergencies and participate in a weekend coverage rotation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous maintenance experience in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation center, hospital, senior living community, or other healthcare setting.

• HVAC certification or formal HVAC training.

• Plumbing, electrical, or other skilled-trade certification.

• Experience with preventative maintenance programs and computerized maintenance/work-order systems.

• Knowledge of healthcare facility regulatory and life-safety requirements.