Custodial Engineer / Building Services Technician

Custodial Engineer / Building Services Technician

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) is seeking a dependable, versatile, and highly motivated Custodial Engineer / Building Services Technician to help care for our newly renovated two-building Headquarters Campus on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

THIS IS A TRUE DUAL-ROLE POSITION.

The successful candidate must be equally willing to perform custodial/groundskeeping work AND hands-on building services/handyman work.

This is not a traditional building engineer position where custodial work is performed by someone else. Daily cleaning is an essential function of this job. Likewise, this is more than a traditional janitorial position. The successful candidate should be mechanically inclined, comfortable using tools, and willing to handle a wide variety of building-service requests.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in maintaining a property and enjoys being the person people call when something needs to be cleaned, moved, assembled, repaired, set up, or simply taken care of.

CUSTODIAL & CAMPUS CARE

The Custodial Engineer is responsible for helping maintain the cleanliness and appearance of both AFA-CWA Headquarters buildings at 516 and 518 C Street NE.

Responsibilities include:

• Cleaning offices, conference rooms, kitchens, common areas, stairwells, elevators, and other workspaces

• Cleaning approximately 10 restrooms, including four restrooms with showers

• Cleaning and sanitizing toilets, sinks, counters, mirrors, floors, and other restroom surfaces

• Regularly cleaning showers and running water in infrequently used fixtures

• Vacuuming carpets and maintaining hard-surface flooring

• Emptying trash and recycling

• Sanitizing high-touch surfaces

• Cleaning glass, windows, doors, and other surfaces

• Maintaining kitchens and appliances

• Restocking restroom and building supplies

• Keeping janitorial closets and storage areas clean and organized

• Performing periodic deep cleaning

• Completing required daily opening/closing and custodial checklists

GROUNDSKEEPING & EXTERIOR CARE

The Custodial Engineer also serves as a groundskeeper for the Headquarters Campus.

Responsibilities include:

• Walking the exterior of both buildings regularly

• Picking up trash and debris

• Keeping entrances and walkways clean

• Watering plants, gardens, and landscaping as necessary

• Leaf removal

• Snow and ice removal when necessary

• Identifying exterior hazards or maintenance concerns

• Helping ensure the newly renovated campus continues to look clean, attractive, and well cared for every day

BUILDING SERVICES & HANDYMAN RESPONSIBILITIES

The "Engineer" portion of this position involves performing general building services and minor maintenance.

Examples include:

• Performing minor repairs and maintenance

• Hanging pictures, signs, coat racks, shelves, and similar items

• Assembling desks, chairs, tables, shelving, and other furniture

• Making minor paint touch-ups

• Troubleshooting basic building issues

• Using common hand and power tools safely

• Receiving and assisting with deliveries

• Moving boxes, furniture, supplies, and equipment throughout the campus

• Breaking down and disposing of packaging materials

• Identifying work that requires a specialized contractor and reporting it for appropriate vendor support

The Custodial Engineer is not expected to perform licensed or highly specialized work that should be handled by electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, or other qualified contractors. Work beyond the employee's capabilities will be outsourced.

MEETING & EVENT SUPPORT

AFA-CWA Headquarters regularly hosts meetings, conferences, trainings, receptions, and other events.

The Custodial Engineer assists with:

• Setting up and breaking down conference and meeting rooms

• Moving and arranging tables and chairs

• Creating different room configurations based upon meeting requirements

• Resetting rooms after meetings

• Ensuring meeting spaces are clean and ready before guests arrive

• Charging microphones and other meeting equipment

• Assisting staff and guests with basic television/monitor connections for presentations

• Checking basic room sound and audiovisual readiness

• Responding to meeting-related building service requests

• Cleaning and refreshing meeting spaces during scheduled breaks when appropriate

Some setups require significant movement of tables, chairs, and equipment.

BUILDING SECURITY & SAFETY

Building security is an important part of this position.

The Custodial Engineer is expected to conduct regular walkthroughs of both buildings and remain alert to safety, security, maintenance, and cleanliness issues.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring exterior doors remain properly closed and secured

• Checking windows and interior doors

• Identifying doors that have been improperly propped open

• Monitoring for safety hazards

• Ensuring space heaters and other appropriate equipment are unplugged when required

• Performing closing walkthroughs when assigned

• Reporting unusual activity or security concerns promptly

This is an active position. During slower periods, the Custodial Engineer should be walking the campus, inspecting spaces, organizing work areas, performing preventative cleaning and maintenance, or identifying other work that needs attention.

BUILDING SERVICES & CUSTOMER SERVICE

AFA-CWA staff may submit Building Services requests throughout the workday.

The Custodial Engineer must:

• Check email regularly

• Respond professionally to staff requests

• Document Building Services requests as required

• Prioritize urgent safety and operational needs

• Communicate when a request has been completed

• Work cooperatively with staff, vendors, contractors, suppliers, tenants, and visitors

Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, and electronic forms is required.

PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT

AFA-CWA Headquarters is a professional office environment that regularly welcomes union leaders, Flight Attendants, government officials, elected officials, vendors, and other guests.

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Professionalism

• Dependability

• Good judgment

• Strong communication

• Discretion and confidentiality

• Situational awareness

• Initiative

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility

• A positive, service-oriented attitude

The position requires someone who can work independently without needing to be continuously directed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The position requires regular physical activity, including:

• Standing and walking for significant portions of the workday

• Bending, reaching, kneeling, and climbing stairs

• Moving tables and chairs

• Lifting and moving boxes, furniture, supplies, and equipment

• Performing cleaning and groundskeeping work

• Safely using ladders and common tools when appropriate

Employees should request assistance when an item cannot be safely moved by one person.

SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, Monday-Friday position.

A typical schedule will generally be approximately:

• 9:30 AM-6:00 PM with a 30-minute lunch; or

• 9:30 AM-6:30 PM with a one-hour lunch; or

• 10:00 AM-6:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch; or

• 10:00 AM-7:00 PM with a one-hour lunch.

A typical workday includes a minimum of eight working hours, excluding the meal period.

Hours are generally consistent and predictable. However, flexibility is an important requirement of the position.

On occasion, AFA-CWA hosts meetings, receptions, or events that continue into the evening. Advance notice will generally be provided when a later schedule is needed. These occasions are not expected to be frequent.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The strongest candidate will have a combination of experience in areas such as:

• Commercial custodial or janitorial services

• Building maintenance

• Facilities services

• Handyman work

• Property maintenance

• Groundskeeping

• Furniture assembly

• Meeting/event setup

• Preventative maintenance

Most importantly, candidates must be genuinely willing to perform both sides of the position every day.

Someone who enjoys handyman work but does not want to clean is not a fit for this position.

Someone who is comfortable cleaning but unwilling or unable to perform building services, move furniture, assemble items, or perform minor repairs is also not a fit for this position.

We are looking for a versatile, hands-on individual who takes ownership of the campus and takes pride in leaving it better at the end of each day than they found it.

COMPENSATION

$62,400-$83,200 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.