3-year TERM Caretaker, Residences (various shifts, DL req’d)

Queen’s is a residential university with ~95% of the student population coming from outside of Kingston. More than 90% of first-year students live in residence during the academic year. In the summer, Event Services, Residences and Hospitality Services operates and supports a thriving conference business. Our facilities team plays a crucial role in supporting both the academic year and conference season by providing a clean, safe, and healthy environment. The daily contact with students, faculty, staff and visitors helps the university to be a welcoming and friendly place.

Residence Facilities Services provide cleaning activities to standards endorsed by the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) for all locations in Residence buildings. Each work category has been reviewed to ensure we continue to meet our designated cleaning standards. We maintain a 7 day around the clock cleaning schedule in order to sustain this level of cleanliness to support a healthy living and working environment for students and staff.

Come work with us!
Residences (Housing & Ancillary Services) is now hiring caretakers to join the Residence Facilities Team. Caretakers perform a range of cleaning duties, work various shifts, and work weeks. If you have the qualities of a successful Caretaker and meet the minimum qualifications, take the first step and apply now!

In addition to competitive wages that increase with service:

Effective July 1, 2026 - Caretaker
• Less than 2 years of service $22.63
• Between 2 years of service and less than 5 years of service $23.53
• 5 years of service or more $25.00

Caretakers also receive:
Hourly shift premiums for the following shifts:

• 8am-4pm: Sat +$0.80, Sun +$1.85
• 4pm-12am: Mon-Fri: +$0.80, Sat: +$1.60, Sun: +$2.65
• 12am-8am: Mon-Fri: +$0.85, Sat: +$1.65, Sun: +$2.70

• An annual work clothing allotment – employees will be provided with 4 sets (shirts and pants) during each contract year.
• An opportunity to be added to the Call in and Overtime list upon completion of the probationary period.
• Ongoing training and (PPE) personal protective equipment is provided.

Additionally, Queen’s University also offers a wide range of benefits from which eligible faculty and staff can participate to suit their individual and family needs. Information about this and other helpful material can be found on the Human Resources Website. Some of the highlights are below:

• 15 days vacation after 1 continuous year of service (prorated based on start date for 1st year)
• The University allows staff members the full time off between December 25th and January 1st inclusive of a winter closing, without loss of salary. The actual dates of the closure (normal working days) will be determined by the University
• Group Insurance Benefits (immediate except dental and LTD which is accessible after one year)
• Childcare Support Plan (after one year)
• Tuition Support Plan (after one year)
• University Pension Plan (immediately if full-time contract is 1 year or as soon as renewal term takes employee past 1 year)
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) (after one year)
• University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) (coverage under the plan starts on the date employee and family arrive in Canada, but not earlier than the 10th day of the month before the month in which university employment begins)
• Inclusive Queen's Learn about the resources, programs, and new initiatives that are helping us to build a campus that embraces diversity and empowers all members of our community to thrive at Queen’s.
• Employee Resource Groups Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) help create an inclusive workplace by giving equity-deserving groups a formal structure within an organization to support their unique needs.

Job Description
Successful Caretakers:
• Follow all appropriate safety practices
• Show good work habits
• Commit to client satisfaction – you care that your work is done well
• Respect diversity and promote inclusion in our workplace
• Learn and practice new skills
• Maintain a positive and professional attitude
• Are courteous and caring while creating a safe and welcoming environment for members of the university community, conference organizers, students and guests
• Embrace our values: Professional, Respectful and Responsible, Integrity, Dependable, Effective and Efficient

Major Responsibilities:
• Daily cleaning and maintaining of residence buildings in a residential environment during the academic year which includes cleaning halls, stairwells, kitchens, common rooms, dining halls, and washrooms.
• During the summer season (May-August), responsibilities expand to include a comprehensive room clean for all rooms and hotel style daily cleaning for rooms and private washrooms including providing towel and linen services to support conferences, events and leisure travel.
• Clean and sanitize washrooms, fixtures and fittings;
• Vacuum and shampoo carpets and upholstery;
• Sweep, dust-mop and damp mop all floor surfaces;
• Strip, seal, wax and spray buff all floors;
• Operate a variety of floor machinery;
• Collect garbage, clean glass and walls and move furniture (regularly lift up to 20 kg);
• Use of a step stool or 6’ stepladder to access overhead cleaning locations
• Report losses damages, repairs and infractions of residence regulations;
• Maintain a clean and healthy environment in the residence buildings

Minimum Qualifications:
• High school diploma or equivalent is preferred but not required.
• Ability to speak, read and write in basic English (Level 4 Canadian Language Benchmark for applicants whose first language is not English).
• Willingness and ability to understand and follow instructions
• Mechanical skills to clean and set-up equipment such as floor cleaning machines or to change lightbulbs.
• Comfortable with computers or tablets, email applications, online training modules, and web-based applications.
• Must be willing and able to work in a team environment that respects and embraces diversity and inclusion
• Willingness and ability to work with people at all levels (e.g., front line staff, managers, senior administrators, etc.)
• Valid Full G class driver’s license and satisfactory driving record required for all 4-12, 12-8 shifts and/or schedules that include weekend shifts.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
• Must be capable of performing the job duties noted below. *

* The University has policies in place to support its employees with disabilities, including an Accommodation in the Workplace Policy and a policy on the provision of job accommodations that consider an employee's accessibility needs due to disability.

Please click here to apply.