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Janitor: Easy Reading Job Profiles - alis
Janitors clean inside buildings.
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Word Meanings
What do janitors do?
Janitors work in office buildings, schools, stores, factories and apartment buildings. They clean inside buildings. They clean floors and furniture. They remove garbage. Sometimes they move heavy furniture and equipment. Sometimes they work outside buildings, too.
Meet a janitor
Alex is a janitor. He works for a cleaning company. He cleans office buildings.
Here are things that Alex does:
- He empties garbage cans.
- He cleans washrooms. He puts in paper towels and toilet paper.
- He dusts furniture. For example, desks, tables and chairs.
- He vacuums carpets and washes floors.
- He cleans mirrors and glass.
- He picks up trash outside buildings.
- He makes sure surfaces are sanitary. For example, door handles, elevator buttons and stair railings.
When people move out of the building, Alex does extra cleaning. For example, he cleans carpets, scrubs floors and washes walls.
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
What is a janitor’s work like?
Alex starts work at 5 p.m. He works when the offices are empty. Other janitors work during the daytime. For example, janitors in schools.
Some janitors help make buildings secure. They turn off lights and lock doors. Sometimes they make sure fire extinguishers work.
Alex usually works indoors. But sometimes he works outside. He checks the drains and the heating and cooling equipment on the roof. In the winter, Alex shovels the sidewalks.
Alex stands, walks and bends a lot at work. He lifts and moves things.
Sometimes Alex lifts or moves furniture and equipment. These things can weigh up to 20 kilograms (about 45 pounds).
Do you want to be a janitor?
- You need to be healthy. You must be able to stand and walk for many hours. You must be able to bend and stretch.
- You must be able to understand instructions. For example, the supervisor may tell you what to do.
- You must like to use machines. For example, vacuums and floor polishers.
- You should like to do things in the same order. For example, first you empty the wastebaskets. Then you dust. Then you vacuum.
- You may need a criminal record check.
What education do janitors need?
- Most janitors learn on the job. They don’t need to have a high school diploma.
- At some jobs, janitors must take safety training called WHMIS. WHMIS means Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
- They might need to take other safety training courses. They might need a criminal record check.
What can janitors do in the future?
Janitors often work for cleaning companies. These companies often clean office buildings, factories or schools.
They often work for large companies, like banks and big stores. They sometimes work for governments.
Janitors with experience can start their own business. Some janitors may become supervisors or building operators.
How much does a janitor make?
$15.00
to
$28.83
Per Hour
As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Minimum Wage.
Other jobs to think about
You can ask your career advisor or tutor about other jobs that are like janitor.
Do you want more information?
Do you want more information? You can ask your career advisor or tutor for help.
You will see some red words on this page. Click or tap these words to learn what they mean. Or visit the Easy Reading Dictionary.
Updated Oct 10, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the date shown.
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