Janitor job description.
A Janitor maintains cleanliness and order in commercial, institutional, or residential facilities. They perform routine cleaning tasks, minor maintenance, and report facility issues to keep buildings safe, sanitary, and presentable for occupants and visitors.
The Janitor job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Janitor Reports to: Facilities Manager or Custodial Supervisor
A Janitor maintains cleanliness and order in commercial, institutional, or residential facilities. They perform routine cleaning tasks, minor maintenance, and report facility issues to keep buildings safe, sanitary, and presentable for occupants and visitors.
- Clean and sanitize restrooms, offices, and common areas
- Sweep, mop, vacuum, and buff floors on a regular schedule
- Empty trash and recycling bins and manage waste disposal
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Facilities Manager or Custodial Supervisor
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Clean and sanitize restrooms, offices, and common areas
- Sweep, mop, vacuum, and buff floors on a regular schedule
- Empty trash and recycling bins and manage waste disposal
- Restock supplies such as paper products and soap dispensers
- Perform minor maintenance repairs and report larger issues
- Follow safety protocols when using cleaning chemicals and equipment
- Lock and secure facilities at the end of shifts
- Respond to spill or cleanup requests promptly
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred, not always required
- Ability to lift up to 50 lb and stand for extended periods
- Basic knowledge of cleaning equipment and chemical safety
- Reliable attendance and attention to detail
- Prior janitorial or custodial experience
- Familiarity with OSHA safety standards
- Experience operating floor-care machinery
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Janitor job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Janitor job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Facilities Manager or Custodial Supervisor) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What's the difference between a Janitor and a Custodian?
- The titles are often used interchangeably; some employers use 'Custodian' for roles with slightly broader facility-maintenance duties.
- What safety training should Janitors receive?
- Employers should train staff on safe handling of cleaning chemicals, proper signage for wet floors, and use of personal protective equipment.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Custodian
A Custodian maintains the cleanliness, safety, and upkeep of buildings and grounds.
Facilities Manager
A Facilities Manager oversees the maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of a building or property portfolio.
Maintenance Technician
A maintenance technician performs routine and emergency repairs on facility systems, equipment, and structures to keep operations running safely and efficiently.
This Janitor job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.