Maintenance Technician - (Union: Helper A)

Hispanic Housing Development Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Helper A to maintain cleanliness and safety in residential properties. This role involves a variety of tasks from minor repairs to janitorial duties, ensuring that all areas are well-kept and functional. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in maintenance, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to work in diverse environments. Join a collaborative team where your contributions will directly impact the living conditions of residents and help foster a welcoming community. This position offers a unique opportunity to grow within a unionized environment while providing essential services to the community.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of maintenance experience in a residential setting required.
• Knowledge of safety standards and repair practices essential.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and work in various environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance tasks including plumbing, electrical, and janitorial work.
• Assist in apartment inspections and ensure cleanliness of public areas.
• Participate in emergency schedules and perform on-call duties.

Skills

Customer Service

Maintenance and Repair

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Safety Awareness

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Tools

Hand Tools

Power Tools

Job description

SUMMARY

The Helper A is a union represented position responsible for keeping exteriors, public areas, vacant units, sidewalks, and alleyways of property clean and safe. The Helper A performs timely work order service, quality make-ready programs, and cost-effective inventory control of the property. This position will also be expected to assist in other types of basic maintenance such as grounds and other janitorial duties when necessary. Required to be on a rotational “24 hour on call” as scheduled.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following:

• Complete tasks as assigned by the Head or Assistant Head Janitor or the property manager.
• Participate in a stand-by emergency schedule for evening, weekend, and holiday coverage.
• Perform scheduled maintenance on all equipment, based on the manufacturers’ recommendations and operating manuals.
• Inspect all units, buildings, and public areas periodically and perform repairs and janitorial assistance as needed.
• Check and replace outside and hallway lights, as well as public area lighting.
• Possess knowledge regarding water and gas meter cutoffs, all apartment fixture cutoffs and sewer cleanouts.
• Keeps in clean and orderly condition the following: office, maintenance room, hallways, porches, public areas (laundry room, basement), back yard, and exterior building.
• Performs minor and routine painting, plumbing, electrical wiring, and other related maintenance activities using hand tools.
• Cleans and replaces air conditioner filters.
• Make sure storage areas and entrances are locked and adequate lighting is maintained.
• Assists in apartment ‘move-in’ and ‘move-out’ inspections and unit turnover.
• Repairs forced air furnaces and minor repairs to steam and hot water systems.
• Participates in all maintenance projects.
• Performs light electrical repairs on items such as appliances, fixtures, switches, outlets, circuits, etc.
• Performs light plumbing work such as clearing stoppages, replacing fittings, etc.
• Replaces broken glass, tile, carpet, screens, garbage disposals, fixtures, appliances, draperies, and locks.
• Can paint interior and exterior.
• Performs carpentry work such as fitting doors, freeing windows, replacing, and building shelves, sanding, and refinishing wood.
• Assists in custodial work cleaning public areas by sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, emptying trash, cleaning windows, etc.
• Assists in grounds work when necessary: snow removal, lawn care, and gardening.
• Repairs concrete, masonry, roof, fencing when required.
• Performs limited extermination services when required.
• Notifies concerns to immediate supervisors.
• Perform, and report on, all work according to the safety standards of the company, OSHA, and health codes. Perform work area clean-up daily.
• Assists on other properties as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None; except when filling in for the Head or Assistant Head Janitor direct maintenance staff, and contract workers.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Helper A performs their work in a residential apartment setting and will be working outdoors, indoors, office and field/grounds while performing the essential functions of this job. Must be willing and able to work in cold, hot, wet, humid, smelly, dirty, and clean work environments to include garden, alley parking lots, basement, roof, and office areas. Position experiences interruptions and shifting priorities. May be required to deal with difficult people; expected to handle residents and visitors with calmness, diplomacy, and good social skills.

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: required to stand; walk; use hands and reach with hands and arms; ability to lift, bend, squat, climb, and crawl repeatedly throughout the day and effectively communicate; The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds on a regular basis. The employees will be using a variety of hand and power tools, chemicals, and paints. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance are required job functions. This position also requires evening and weekend work as dictated by the on-call rotation schedule.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school education or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to provide strong working knowledge of maintenance and repair practices and techniques.
• Minimum of 3 years of equivalent level experience, preferably in similar setting.
• A minimum of one year experience in a customer service-related industry and one year apartment maintenance experience combined.
• Must have or obtain UPCS Inspections certification.
• Personable and trustworthy.
• Show concern for a work safety program.
• Can aid in and work in areas other than strictly repair maintenance (I.e., janitorial, custodial, gardening, painting, etc.).
• Must have or be able to attain/maintain union certifications as required by the position and the bargaining agreement.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish may be required depending on resident demographic needs.
• Provide your own hand tools.
• Vehicle, insurance, and safe driving record.
• Must be willing to travel to various locations if needed.

UNION REPRESENTATION

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between the company and the SEIU Local 1 union.

SUCCESS FACTORS

• Exhibits knowledge of safety policies through work.
• Provides excellent customer service and maintains respect and professionalism when interacting with tenants and coworkers.
• Prioritizes work efficiently to complete work orders in a timely fashion.
• Exhibits timeliness by arriving on time for work as scheduled and can work well with minimal supervision.
• Collaborates well with coworkers to meet a common goal.
• Sensitivity to diverse cultures.
• Attends eight (8) hours of continuing education annually.
• Can defuse a complicated issue between employees/residents.