Occupation Details
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$37,900.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$52,280.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$67,650.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
14,490
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
17,870
+338 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
2,151
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- All-terrain vacuums
- Auto scrubbers
- Building alarm systems
- Carpet steamers
- Cleaning scrapers
- Commercial automatic floor scrubbers
- Desktop computers
- Dust masks
- Dust mops
- Flatwork ironers
- Floor polishing machines
- Floor scrubbing machines
- Industrial clothes dryers
- Industrial sewing machines
- Industrial vacuum cleaners
- Light commercial washing machines
- Mop wringers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Power floor buffers
- Powered floor washers
- Pressure washers
- Protective face shields
- Push brooms
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Spray bottles
- Squeegees
- Steam pressers
- Steam-operated sterilizers
Technology
- Computerized bed control system software
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Email software
- Facility use software
- Help desk software
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- SAP business and customer relations management software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- analyze operational or management reports or records
- forecast departmental personnel requirements
- use power mower
- estimate materials or labor requirements
- maintain production or work records
- inventory stock to ensure adequate supplies
- clean rooms or work areas
- recommend purchase or repair of furnishings or equipment
- recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
- investigate customer complaints
- interview job applicants
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals
- use oral or written communication techniques
- oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
- resolve personnel problems or grievances
- resolve customer or public complaints
- resolve or assist workers to resolve work problems
- prepare reports
- prepare or maintain employee records
- schedule employee work hours
- purchase housekeeping or cleaning supplies or equipment
- purchase furnishings, artworks, or accessories
- issue supplies, materials, or equipment
- demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
- conduct training for personnel
- inspect facilities to determine repair or replacement needs
- assign work to staff or employees
- establish employee performance standards
- orient new employees
- monitor worker performance
- confer with other departmental heads to coordinate activities
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- conduct or attend staff meetings
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Supervise in-house services, such as laundries, maintenance and repair, dry cleaning, or valet services.
- Select the most suitable cleaning materials for different types of linens, furniture, flooring, and surfaces.
- Advise managers, desk clerks, or admitting personnel of rooms ready for occupancy.
- Inspect work performed to ensure that it meets specifications and established standards.
- Perform or assist with cleaning duties as necessary.
- Plan and prepare employee work schedules.
- Establish and implement operational standards and procedures for the departments supervised.
- Inspect and evaluate the physical condition of facilities to determine the type of work required.
- Inventory stock to ensure that supplies and equipment are available in adequate amounts.
- Issue supplies and equipment to workers.
- Forecast necessary levels of staffing and stock at different times to facilitate effective scheduling and ordering.
- Check and maintain equipment to ensure that it is in working order.
- Maintain required records of work hours, budgets, payrolls, and other information.
- Direct activities for stopping the spread of infections in facilities, such as hospitals.
- Recommend or arrange for additional services, such as painting, repair work, renovations, and the replacement of furnishings and equipment.
- Coordinate activities with other departments to ensure that services are provided in an efficient and timely manner.
- Investigate complaints about service and equipment, and take corrective action.
- Instruct staff in work policies and procedures, and the use and maintenance of equipment.
- Select and order or purchase new equipment, supplies, or furnishings.
- Perform financial tasks, such as estimating costs and preparing and managing budgets.
- Prepare reports on activity, personnel, and information, such as occupancy, hours worked, facility usage, work performed, and departmental expenses.
- Confer with staff to resolve performance and personnel problems, and to discuss company policies.
- Evaluate employee performance and recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, and dismissals.
- Recommend changes that could improve service and increase operational efficiency.
- Screen job applicants, and hire new employees.
- Perform grounds maintenance tasks, such as removing snow and mowing the lawn.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Building cleaning workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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