Many janitorial jobs can be part-time. This allows for flexibility. For example if the janitor is attending school, he or she can take a part-time job so that school can be attended during the day or night. The job allows them to make some much-needed money while retaining flexibility.
A janitor's duties vary depending on what industry they are employed in and during what time of day they work. Some janitors remove trash, vacuum, sweep walkways, and clean and disinfect surfaces. Removing trash and debris is important to maintain a good impression. No one wants to encounter trash all over a building they are visiting or working in. Others perform more heavy cleaning duties, such as removing hazardous waste or disposing of chemicals. If this is the case, the janitor will typically don special protective equipment.
Others perform jobs such as fixing faucets, painting, changing lightbulbs, replenishing cleaning inventories, mowing lawns, trimming hedges, light painting, plastering, and fixing heating and air-conditioning equipment.
Janitors also perform extermination duties, such as removing rodents and insects and setting traps. Rodents in a building can be dangerous because they spread disease. The janitors will set traps and wait for the animal to be caught. Then they will quietly remove and dispose of the animal. Regular extermination treatments are probably necessary for any building. If the animal is very large, such as a big snake or raccoon, the janitor may call animal control to have it removed.
Janitors also mop and scrub floors and disinfect bathrooms. Often in a large building there are multiple bathrooms, so a janitor's workday is typically very hard on his or her body, as he will need to get on his knees to clean and squeeze into tight spaces. He will use both soft and abrasive cloths to scrub away lime and spots. Usually he will replenish toilet paper supplies and ensure the air freshener and soap dispenser are full.
The janitor may also check that alarm systems and sprinkler systems are working. They may rewire systems and change batteries.
The janitor may also do some light landscaping work. He may mow the yard, trim hedges, and pull out weeds. He may also plant bulbs, bushes, flowers, and plants around the perimeter of the building to create an aesthetically pleasing entrance. The janitor may add mulch, fertilizer, and water the plants regularly.
Changing batteries, lightbulbs, and replenishing the cleaning inventory are things the janitor probably does frequently. Lightbulbs do not have a very long shelf life, and exchanging them is a must to keep the building well-lit. He will also purchase depleted cleaning supplies, such as bleach, disinfectant, window cleaner, soap, cloths, and WD-40.
If a janitor has a part-time job he or she will need to get as much done as possible in a small time frame. It could be that the building worked in is smaller and doesn't need an eight-hour cleaning. Or it could be there are several other janitors working and the workforce is sufficient enough.
