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First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers is the O*NET name for people who directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments. Interest ratings put Enterprising on top at 5.7 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is ECR and the day leans toward leading, persuading and making business decisions. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to management of personnel resources, time management, and speaking as the ones to build. You may also need to supervise in-house services, such as laundries, maintenance and repair, dry cleaning, or valet services. It tends to suit people who want leading, persuading and making business decisions, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

Directly supervise and coordinate work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on management of personnel resources and time management.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather not persuade, sell or manage other people.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code ECR takes the three highest, and Enterprising comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Building Services Supervisor
  • Buildings and Grounds Supervisor
  • Custodian Supervisor
  • Environmental Services Supervisor (EVS)
  • Executive Housekeeper

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.