Maintenance Assistant/Handyman

Avina of Milwaukee; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Avina of Milwaukee is seeking a dependable Maintenance Assistant / Handyman to maintain a safe, comfortable facility for residents, staff, and visitors. The role requires practical experience in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and general building maintenance within a healthcare setting.

The position involves troubleshooting, routine maintenance, and responding to repair requests, with potential weekend coverage. The candidate should work well with residents, families, staff, and vendors.

Qualifications

• Experience in building maintenance, facilities maintenance, handyman work or related trade.
• HVAC experience is required.
• Plumbing experience is required.
• General knowledge of electrical systems, carpentry, drywall, painting, and mechanical systems.
• Ability to diagnose problems and use common hand and power tools safely.
• Ability to read and follow equipment manuals and safety procedures.
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Good communication and customer‑service skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance requests in a healthcare environment.
• Physical ability to lift and perform tasks as required.
• May require weekend coverage rotation.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and emergency maintenance and repairs throughout the facility.
• Troubleshoot and repair HVAC systems and related equipment.
• Perform plumbing repairs and maintenance on fixtures.
• Assist with preventative maintenance of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building systems.
• Carry out general carpentry and handyman work on doors, walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, and fixtures.
• Perform basic electrical maintenance within scope of training and safety rules.
• Respond to maintenance work orders and resident/staff requests.
• Inspect resident rooms, common areas, and mechanical spaces for safety and maintenance concerns.
• Assist with painting, patching, drywall repair, caulking, and weatherproofing.
• Assist with maintaining emergency systems and equipment and report deficiencies promptly.
• Follow OSHA, fire safety, infection-control, life-safety policies and procedures.
• Respond to urgent maintenance situations affecting resident safety or comfort.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Director or Administrator.

Skills

HVAC experience

Plumbing skills

Electrical knowledge

Carpentry

Troubleshooting

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Communication

Tools

Hand 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.