Maintenance men have different titles, such as facilities technician, facilities manager, supply and inventory clerk, materials management specialist and custodial supervisor, building superintendent, among others. As simplistic as the title may sound, the work itself is not easy. Maintenance men do more than clean up and lift heavy boxes. They provide invaluable services in making sure buildings are kept safe and in repair, but they stay in the "background" until needed.

Facilities Technician, Building Operations

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The job description of a facilities technician or building manager can range from routine chores to complex matters regarding the maintenance and upkeep of a certain sector of a building, an entire building and, sometimes, the land outside the building. Technicians may also assist the Chief Building Officer in surveying and monitoring building conditions and make suggestions for repair and improvements that make the workspace more comfortable and well-lit. Facilities technicians may also have daily administrative duties related to paperwork to manage and oversee.

Supply Clerk

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A supply clerk helps with delivery of furniture, equipment and supplies that come to the building as well as assisting with inventory counts, bar-coding and labeling (tagging) merchandise for designated areas. The job may include accepting delivery of as well as setting up of furniture and other supplies, along with requisitioning orders for new supplies. He may also be called on to move and remove items in offices and lobby areas and to help store unused items.

Materials Management Specialist

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Some maintenance men are responsible for the management of supplies, equipment, furniture and other physical materials. The manager is actively involved in the planning and provisioning of materials and equipment for use, storage and ultimately for disposal. Materials managers may also be involved with inventory control and will provide administrative support by producing reports, budgets and maintaining databases. This job will call for the ability to make trips on foot as well as by field car, to different building locations. This job is physically demanding, as are other maintenance positions.

Custodial Supervisor

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The Custodial Supervisor must have flexible hours and may be on-call at any time, including evenings and weekends. He organizes and coordinates cleaning and other routine maintenance duties, such as those that are needed to keep up building appearances and keep building safe, sanitary and free from pests and chemical and environmental hazards. He also may train others as well as lead building inspections, check equipment for potential hazards and make sure needed equipment, such as fire extinguishers and safety/intrusion alarms, are in good working order. Custodians will have supervisory and hands-on job duties pertaining to the care of the inside and exterior of the building as well as handling complaints and responding to potential hazards and problems. Custodial maintenance jobs are not usually confined to any certain hours or days of the week.

Administrative Specialist

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The Administrative Specialist concentrates on building maintenance and upkeep; he maintains work orders, fleet management for company vehicles and coordination of routine equipment and supply requests. He may also provide and repair signs and lighting for building visitors and tenants to be able to locate rooms and restrooms. He also performs daily inspections of the building for items that may need cleaning and repair. He further helps prepare people in the building for emergencies and evacuations and also makes decisions about the logistics of moving people and equipment.