SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Building Custodian
  • Building Services Technician (Building Services Tech)
  • Building Services Worker
  • Cleaner
  • Custodial Worker
  • Custodian
  • Facilities Worker
  • Heavy Duty Custodian
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What do Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners do?

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners, play a crucial role in maintaining the cleanliness and order of various facilities, including schools, offices, hospitals, and public buildings. Their primary responsibilities involve sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting floors and surfaces to ensure a hygienic environment. These professionals are tasked with emptying trash, restocking supplies, and sometimes performing minor maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs or fixing leaks. The work often requires following specific cleaning protocols to manage different cleaning chemicals and solutions, as well as having an understanding of safety measures related to the use of equipment and materials. Janitors and cleaners may work independently or as part of a team and typically operate during off-peak hours to minimize disruption in the facilities they service.

What the work actually is

  • Service, clean, or supply restrooms.
  • Gather and empty trash.
  • Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.
  • Monitor building security and safety by performing tasks such as locking doors after operating hours or checking electrical appliance use to ensure that hazards are not created.
  • Notify managers concerning the need for major repairs or additions to building operating systems.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Knowledge

  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Bachelor's degree
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Desktop communications software Eko
  • Electronic mail software Microsoft Outlook
  • Office suite software Microsoft Office software
  • Cloud-based data access and sharing software Squeegee

Tools

  • Ladders Extension ladders · Step ladders
  • Screwdrivers Phillips head screwdrivers · Straight screwdrivers
  • Vacuum cleaners Industrial vacuums · Ride-on industrial vacuum cleaners
  • Floor polishers Floor buffers · Floor waxers
  • Snowplow attachments Snowplows

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earn in South Africa?

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners do?

Service, clean, or supply restrooms, Gather and empty trash and Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, or vacuuming.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.