Building superintendents maintain and operate residential, commercial or institutional buildings according to standards set by their owners. They are also known as building supervisors, building operators, building caretakers, maintenance managers and janitors. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments in publicly-owned buildings, and by school boards, large institutions such as hospitals, universities and churches, property management and real estate companies.
Generally, companies hire middle-aged or retired couples to look after residential buildings. However, younger people tend to be hired to work in commercial complexes, such as office buildings and malls, or institutional buildings such as hospitals, libraries or schools.
As a building superintendent, you take care of administration, oversee operations, manage maintenanceand deal with emergencies. The actual housekeeping or maintenance work is done either by staff or sub-contractors working under your supervision. You must ensure that the building's electrical and mechanical equipment is properly monitored and maintained. You are responsible for ensuring that the sidewalks, pavement and roofing are in good repair. You may also assist in the hiring and training of staff or in making arrangements with outside sub-contractors to do the work necessary.
You are allocated a budget. Part of your job is to keep records of expenses incurred in managing the property and to monitor the results. You also control the parts and supplies inventory, including the equipment and tools kept for the maintenance of the building.
Working conditions vary considerably depending on the type of building. For example, you may work on shifts, day or night, because you work in an institution such as a hospital that must have a building superintendent on duty at all times. Most building superintendents are paid salary, but some are paid hourly wages.
Employers look for honest and reliable people to work as building superintendents. After all, you are given keys that provide access to all sorts of supplies, equipment and personal property.
Building staff play a highly visible role in maintaining the image of a company or institution. It's important that you inspire confidence in the job you are doing by being neat, clean, and efficient. Many employers provide a uniform.
You must have strong communication skills and work well with a variety of people who will assist you in managing the property.
Building superintendents need to develop writing skills, time management and organizational abilities, interviewing and leadership skills.
Most employers will repay you the costs of any training courses you take, and some institutional employers even offer their own courses. Experience with computers is an asset since many of the larger employers see them as essential building management tools.