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What does a janitorial services supervisor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a janitorial services supervisor do
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Janitorial services supervisor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real janitorial services supervisor resumes:

  • Operate floor buffers, vacuum cleaners, wet-vacs, extractors and floor scrubbers.
  • Assist lawn care manager by mowing lawns, weeding, planting, and clean up.
  • Maintain cleanliness of medical equipment and office
  • Maintain cleanliness and security of several state operate facilities alone after business hours.
  • Perform emergencies work requests, schedule and unschedule maintenance program, emergencies and coordinate special projects as directed.
  • Maintain knowledge of MSDS information as per OSHA regulations.
  • Adhere to all OSHA regulations and follow closely to MSDS forms for special instructions for chemical use.
  • Wash and disinfect all washroom floor, toilets, toilet seats, hand dryers and fixtures.

Janitorial services supervisor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 30% of Janitorial Services Supervisors are proficient in Janitorial Services, Cleanliness, and Light Bulbs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Troubleshooting skills, and Mechanical skills.

We break down the percentage of Janitorial Services Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Janitorial Services, 30%

    General tasks, predominantly janitorial services and building upkeep.

  • Cleanliness, 26%

    Maintained cleanliness and security of several state operated facilities alone after business hours.

  • Light Bulbs, 4%

    Provided minor maintenance to buildings, such as removing and changing light bulbs.

  • Bathroom Fixtures, 4%

    Sterilized bathroom fixtures and replaced hygiene products.

  • Commercial Cleaning, 4%

    general janitorial, cleaningThe North Bend airport, KOA campground, AAA office, UPS office,Commercial cleaning.

  • Clean Windows, 4%

    Clean windows, mopping, sweeping, cleaning offices/bathrooms, dusting, removal of trash

"janitorial services," "cleanliness," and "light bulbs" are among the most common skills that janitorial services supervisors use at work. You can find even more janitorial services supervisor responsibilities below, including:

Mechanical skills. This is an important skill for janitorial services supervisors to perform their duties. For an example of how janitorial services supervisor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "janitors and building cleaners need to understand general building operations and should be able to make routine repairs, such as to leaky faucets." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a janitorial services supervisor: "stripped and waxed floors; vacuum and shampoo carpets; and dusted assigned areas using manual or mechanical equipment. ".

Physical strength. janitorial services supervisor responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "janitors and building cleaners often must lift and move heavy cleaning materials and equipment." This resume example shows what janitorial services supervisors do with physical strength on a typical day: "performed routine maintenance to ensure the efficiency of machinery operations, and quality of the physical condition of the building. "

Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in janitorial services supervisor job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what janitorial services supervisors do. Janitorial services supervisor responsibilities rely on this skill because "janitors and building cleaners must plan and complete tasks in a timely manner." You can also see how janitorial services supervisor duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "completed every project/task on time and earned positive reputation for excellent work ethic. "

Interpersonal skills. Lastly, "interpersonal skills" is an important element of what a janitorial services supervisor does. Janitorial services supervisor responsibilities require this skill because "janitors and building cleaners must interact well other cleaners and the people who live or work in the buildings they service." This resume example highlights how janitorial services supervisor duties rely on this skill: "general maintenance of grounds other routine maintenance duties as assigned skills used good communication and interpersonal skills. "

Most common janitorial services supervisor skills

Compare different janitorial services supervisors

Janitorial services supervisor vs. Lead custodian

A Lead Custodian supervises the custodian division to maintain cleanliness in the office, building, and property at a given time, typically in the morning and evening. They are the ones in charge of performing minor maintenance, furniture, and other office equipment. They also ensure that all assigned tasks to members are completed within the scheduled time and conducts an inventory of all the equipment and supplies. Also, they keep the security surveillance to protect the employees and staff.

We looked at the average janitorial services supervisor salary and compared it with the wages of a lead custodian. Generally speaking, lead custodians are paid $1,739 higher than janitorial services supervisors per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between janitorial services supervisors and lead custodians are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like cleanliness, light bulbs, and bathroom fixtures.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between janitorial services supervisors and lead custodian. For instance, janitorial services supervisor responsibilities require skills such as "janitorial services," "office buildings," "commercial buildings," and "service restrooms." Whereas a lead custodian is skilled in "safety procedures," "ladders," "minor maintenance," and "building maintenance." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Lead custodians really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $32,661. Comparatively, janitorial services supervisors tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $29,192.lead custodians tend to reach similar levels of education than janitorial services supervisors. In fact, lead custodians are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Janitorial services supervisor vs. Custodian

A custodian, also referred to as janitor, is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and helping protect all facilities. Custodians make sure everything is clean, neat, in order, and free from clutter and safe. They perform routine maintenance tasks and heavy cleaning duties. They do everyday things to sweep floors, mop, scrub, vacuum, collect and empty trash, dust furniture, walls, and equipment. They mix solutions and chemicals in containers based on proportions for disinfecting windows, mirrors, and other partitions requiring cleaning. Some also do minor building maintenance and light repairs, while others are exposed to biohazardous materials.

Custodian positions earn lower pay than janitorial services supervisor roles. They earn a $207 lower salary than janitorial services supervisors per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Janitorial services supervisors and custodians both require similar skills like "cleanliness," "light bulbs," and "bathroom fixtures" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that janitorial services supervisor responsibilities requires skills like "janitorial services," "commercial buildings," "service restrooms," and "steam-clean." But a custodian might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "customer service," "minor maintenance," and "ladders."

On average, custodians earn a lower salary than janitorial services supervisors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, custodians earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $31,075. Whereas janitorial services supervisors have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $29,192.In general, custodians achieve similar levels of education than janitorial services supervisors. They're 0.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Janitorial services supervisor vs. Housekeeping director

A housekeeping director is a management professional who is responsible for supervising a staff of housekeepers to maintain cleanliness in various areas of facilities such as hotels, apartment buildings, or nursing facilities. This director must train the housekeeping staff to follow proper procedures and job safety. The director is required to perform administrative tasks such as generating work schedules for housekeepers, ordering cleaning supplies, and managing the housekeeping budget. To ensure that staff members are performing their duties professionally, this director must monitor the work of housekeepers and inspects the rooms that have already been cleaned.

On average, housekeeping directors earn higher salaries than janitorial services supervisors, with a $23,664 difference per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from janitorial services supervisor resumes include skills like "janitorial services," "light bulbs," "bathroom fixtures," and "commercial cleaning," whereas a housekeeping director is more likely to list skills in "guest rooms," "customer service," "guest service," and "payroll. "

Housekeeping directors earn the best pay in the hospitality industry, where they command an average salary of $55,072. Janitorial services supervisors earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $29,192.When it comes to education, housekeeping directors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to janitorial services supervisors. In fact, they're 3.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Janitorial services supervisor vs. Housekeeping manager

A housekeeping manager is responsible for overseeing the general maintenance operations, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of all facilities, as well as inspecting the working conditions of tools and equipment. Housekeeping managers monitor the adequacy of maintenance inventory, coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors, and develop quality upgrade plans for floor layouts. They also report damaged materials and facilities for immediate repairs and report incidents that may cause operational delays to prevent hazards in the premises.

Housekeeping managers average a higher salary than the annual salary of janitorial services supervisors. The difference is about $15,634 per year.According to resumes from janitorial services supervisors and housekeeping managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cleanliness," "commercial cleaning," and "floor care. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A janitorial services supervisor uses "janitorial services," "light bulbs," "bathroom fixtures," and "clean windows." Housekeeping managers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "guest rooms," "customer service," "guest service," and "front desk. "housekeeping managers enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $48,046. For comparison, janitorial services supervisors earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.In general, housekeeping managers hold similar degree levels compared to janitorial services supervisors. Housekeeping managers are 3.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of janitorial services supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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