Make-Ready & Painting Technician

Kalos Residential; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Mileage reimbursement

Job summary

Kalos Residential is seeking a Make-Ready & Painting Technician for two communities in Waukee East and Aspire Townhomes, IA. You will handle unit turns, painting, drywall repairs, and cleaning to ready standards, coordinating across two properties to meet tight turn deadlines.

When turns slow, you will refresh grounds and common areas, including exterior painting, landscaping, and seasonal projects, maintaining curb appeal and resident first impressions.

Qualifications

• 1+ year of painting, apartment make-ready, residential maintenance, or construction experience.
• Strong interior painting skills; be ready to show examples or walk us through past projects.
• Drywall patching and repair experience.
• Grounds or landscaping experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with Entrata or a comparable work order platform is a plus.
• OSHA safety awareness expected.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Responsibilities

• Paint vacant units, patch and repair drywall, complete minor touch-ups, and clean units to move-in-ready standard.
• Maintain painting quality with clean lines, consistent coverage, and no drips.
• Coordinate turn priorities across two sites and plan weeks around move-in dates.
• Lead grounds/common-area refresh projects during down season (exterior paint, mulch, pressure washing, etc.).
• Flag safety or maintenance issues to the Service Manager and document in Entrata.

Skills

Painting

Make-Ready

Residential maintenance

Drywall patching

Grounds/landscaping

Entrata familiarity

OSHA safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Entrata

Job description

Kalos Residential | On-Site, Two Communities | Waukee, IA & West Des Moines, IA | Full-Time
Reports To: Service Managers at Bricks at Waukee East Apartments and Aspire Townhomes

Who We Are

Kalos Residential is the in-house property management company for Four Mile Capital, a vertically integrated multifamily owner-operator with nearly 2,700 units across seven states. We exist to manage Four Mile Capital's portfolio exceptionally well. Every community we run is a Four Mile Capital asset, and we treat it that way.

A well-maintained community protects residents and grows the value of every asset we own. The Make-Ready & Painting Technician is the person who makes sure every home we hand over, and every space residents walk through, reflects that standard.

The Role

The Make-Ready & Painting Technician owns unit turns and painting at two Kalos communities: Bricks at Waukee East Apartments and Aspire Townhomes. When a resident moves out, you're the person who gets that home painted, patched, cleaned and ready for the next resident, on schedule and to standard.

When turn volume slows in the down season, your focus shifts outside the units to grounds and common areas: fresh paint, clean entries, sharp landscaping beds and amenities that look cared for. First impressions lease apartments, and you'll own a big part of that first impression at both properties.

This is a full-time role split between two properties. You'll divide your week between Bricks at Waukee East and Aspire Townhomes, coordinate with both Service Managers, and manage your own schedule to hit turn deadlines at each site. You won't be micromanaged. You will be held to a standard, and we expect you to hold yourself to it first.

What You Own

• Unit Turns and Make-Readies (Both Properties): Paint vacant units, patch and repair drywall, complete minor touch-up repairs, and clean units to move-in-ready standard. A unit that isn't move-in ready isn't move-in ready. No partial credit.
• Painting Quality: Clean lines, consistent coverage, and no drips, missed spots or paint on fixtures. The paint job is the first thing a new resident notices, so it has to be right.
• Scheduling Across Two Sites: Coordinate turn priorities with both Service Managers, plan your week around move-in dates, and communicate early if a timeline is at risk.
• Down Season: Grounds and Common Area Refresh: When turns slow, lead refresh projects at both properties. That includes exterior and common-area paint touch-ups (hallways, clubhouses, fitness rooms, railings, doors), mulch and bed cleanup, pressure washing, pick-up around buildings and amenities, and seasonal projects that keep both communities looking sharp.
• Eyes on the Property: You'll be inside every vacant unit and across both properties' grounds. When you see something bigger than your scope, like a leak, a failing appliance or a safety issue, flag it to the Service Manager right away and document it in Entrata.

What We're Looking For

We're open to candidates at various experience levels. Hands-on ability, a strong work ethic, and the right attitude go a long way here.

Experience

• 1+ year of painting, apartment make-ready, residential maintenance, or construction experience
• Strong interior painting skills. Be ready to show examples of your work or walk us through past projects
• Drywall patching and repair experience
• Grounds or landscaping experience is a plus
• Familiarity with Entrata or a comparable work order platform is a plus
• OSHA safety awareness expected
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Practical Requirements

• Available full-time, splitting your week between both properties based on turn volume and project priorities
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel between properties (mileage reimbursed)
• Must pass a background check
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., climb ladders, and work indoors and outdoors in all seasons
• Own basic hand tools preferred

The Person

The strongest candidates for this role share a few consistent traits. They are structured and consistent by nature: they like knowing what they're responsible for, they work through their list, and they don't cut corners. They take quality seriously not because someone is watching, but because it matters to them personally. They prefer a steady, well-run operation over constant change and thrive when expectations are clear and their work speaks for itself.

They move at a solid pace without burning out. They're not the person who needs external pressure to stay on task; they set their own tempo and sustain it. They communicate what needs to be communicated: if a unit needs more than a standard turn, they say so; if a timeline is at risk, they flag it early. They keep both Service Managers informed without being prompted.

They are independent workers who take pride in doing things right. They don't need recognition to stay motivated, but they do need to know their work has a standard worth meeting. At Kalos, it does.

• Structured and self-directed: You work through your responsibilities methodically and don't need to be managed closely to stay on track.
• Quality-driven: A clean paint line and a unit that looks right matter to you personally, not just because someone is checking.
• Steady and sustainable: You move with consistent purpose. You're not looking for chaos, and you don't create it.
• Clear communicator: You keep your supervisors informed without being asked and are honest about what you know and what you need.
• Coachable: You may not know every trade yet, and that's okay. What matters is honesty about your current level, eagerness to grow, and willingness to be developed.
• Does the right thing: You respect residents' homes, don't cut corners on safety, and leave every unit better than you found it.

What We Offer

• $24-$26/hour, based on experience
• Performance-based bonus tied to property results
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Mileage reimbursement for travel between properties
• Real career growth: we promote from within and invest in people who invest in themselves

A Note on Culture

Kalos Residential is a focused, high-standards operator that cares about each asset and each person on our team. You will have real autonomy, real accountability, and a leadership team genuinely invested in your success. We work hard, hold high standards, and have a good time doing it.

If that sounds like the right fit, we would love to talk.

Kalos Residential is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.