6 free templates by setting. Download as DOCX or copy-paste.
The maintenance worker job description is one most small businesses copy from a generic template that ignores the single thing that matters most: the setting. Maintenance in an apartment community means unit turns and on-call rotations; in an office building it means building systems and vendor coordination; in a small factory it means machinery and lockout/tagout. The thin one-pagers online list a generic set of duties for none of these, so the posting attracts the wrong candidates and skips the safety and certification requirements the job actually carries.
At FirstHR, we build for small businesses that hire without an HR department, and a property manager or owner hiring a maintenance worker is a textbook case: turnover is high, the role is physical and safety-sensitive, and the posting carries OSHA and certification stakes a generic template ignores. The six templates below cover the role by setting: general, apartment, commercial, industrial, entry-level, and handyman. Fill in the brackets and post.
TL;DR
Six free maintenance worker job description templates by setting: General, Apartment, Commercial / Facilities, Industrial, Entry-Level Helper, and Maintenance Man / Handyman. Download all six as one DOCX. A maintenance worker repairs and maintains buildings and equipment, but the work changes by setting, so match the template to your property and note the safety and certification requirements the role carries.
What Is a Maintenance Worker?
A general maintenance worker fixes and maintains buildings, equipment, and machines: routine repairs across plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, preventive maintenance, and responding to work orders. The federal classification, maintenance and repair workers, general, describes the role as repairing and maintaining machines, mechanical equipment, and buildings, often handling many different tasks in a single day.
Maintenance man is a conversational synonym for the same general role, and maintenance technician usually implies more specialized skill, but the work changes most with the setting. An apartment technician, a commercial facilities worker, and an industrial maintenance worker do related but distinct jobs. That is why one generic template rarely fits, and why the six templates on this page split by setting so the summary and duties match the actual job.
Maintenance Worker Duties and Responsibilities
Maintenance worker duties and responsibilities center on four areas: repairs and systems, preventive maintenance and work orders, safety and compliance, and tools and upkeep. The setting shifts the emphasis, unit turns for apartments, vendor coordination for commercial, lockout/tagout for industrial, but these four categories hold across nearly every maintenance role. These are the duties grouped the way the templates use them.
Repairs and systems
Repair plumbing, electrical, and carpentry
Maintain HVAC, lighting, and mechanical systems
Diagnose and fix building or equipment issues
Preventive and work orders
Complete preventive maintenance on a schedule
Respond to work orders and service requests
Inspect facilities and flag needed repairs
Safety and compliance
Follow OSHA and lockout/tagout procedures
Handle chemicals per hazard-communication rules
Use tools and equipment safely
Tools and upkeep
Maintain tools, parts, and supplies
Keep work areas clean and organized
Track work and report larger issues
A strong posting grounds these in your specifics: the property type, the systems involved, the physical demands, and who the role reports to.
Maintenance Roles by Setting
The same job title means different work in different settings, and matching the setting is what makes your posting accurate. Here is how the main maintenance settings differ, which decides which template you need.
Setting
What makes it different
Common requirement
General
All-purpose repairs and upkeep
Broad hands-on skills
Apartment / Residential
Unit turns, resident requests, on-call
EPA 608 for refrigerants
Commercial / Facilities
Building systems, tenant work orders, vendors
Building-systems knowledge
Industrial / Manufacturing
Machinery, preventive maintenance, downtime
Lockout/tagout, machine safety
Entry-Level Helper
Supports the team, learns on the job
No experience required
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by your setting. All six share the same skeleton, but each one emphasizes the duties, certifications, and requirements that fit a specific kind of maintenance role. Use this guide to choose.
General Maintenance Worker
All-purpose, base version
The base version: routine repairs and preventive maintenance across plumbing, electrical, HVAC basics, and carpentry. Start here if no specialized version fits.
Apartment Maintenance Technician
Residential property management
The residential version: resident service requests, make-ready unit turns, on-call rotation, and EPA refrigerant rules. Built for apartments and property management.
Commercial / Facilities
Office, retail, commercial buildings
The commercial version: building systems, tenant work orders, vendor coordination, and inspections for an office, retail, or commercial property.
Light Industrial / Manufacturing
Shops, plants, small factories
The industrial version: production-equipment maintenance, mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, and strict lockout/tagout and machine-safety procedures.
Entry-Level Helper
First job, no experience
The entry version: a no-experience helper role that supports the team, handles basic tasks, and learns the trade on the job alongside experienced workers.
Maintenance Man / Handyman
Broad generalist
The generalist version: a broad mix of everyday repairs and small projects across trades. The conversational maintenance man or handyman role for varied hands-on work.
Start With Your Setting
The fastest way to choose is by where the work happens. Mixed repairs across a building or small business? Use General. Apartment community or rental property? Apartment Technician. Office, retail, or commercial building? Commercial / Facilities. Shop, plant, or small factory? Industrial. Hiring someone to learn the trade? Entry-Level Helper. A broad everyday fixer? Maintenance Man / Handyman. Once you pick, fill in the real duties, required certifications, and pay range for your specific role.
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: job summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation and how to apply. Fill in the brackets and confirm the certifications your setting requires before you post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, apartment, commercial, industrial, entry-level, and handyman. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Maintenance Worker
The base version: routine repairs and preventive maintenance across plumbing, electrical, HVAC basics, and carpentry. Start here if no specialized version fits.
General Maintenance Worker Job Description
GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORKER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [Facility Manager / Owner / Maintenance Supervisor]
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences: your company or property, what you maintain, and the
team this maintenance worker will join.]
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a General Maintenance Worker to keep our [building /
property / facility] safe, clean, and in good repair. You will handle routine
repairs and upkeep across plumbing, electrical, HVAC basics, carpentry, and
general fixes, plus preventive maintenance. This is a hands-on role for a
reliable generalist who can solve problems and work safely.
The residential version: resident service requests, make-ready unit turns, on-call rotation, and EPA refrigerant rules. Built for apartments and property management.
The industrial version: production-equipment maintenance, mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, and strict lockout/tagout and machine-safety procedures.
Reports to: [Maintenance Supervisor / Plant Manager]
Employment type: [ ] Full-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring an Industrial Maintenance Worker to keep our
[facility / shop / plant] equipment and machinery running. You will perform
preventive and corrective maintenance on production equipment, troubleshoot
mechanical and electrical issues, and follow strict safety procedures
including lockout/tagout. This role suits a hands-on technician comfortable
around machinery.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Maintain and repair production machinery and equipment
•Perform preventive maintenance on a schedule
•Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic issues
•Follow lockout/tagout and machine-guarding procedures
•Respond to equipment breakdowns to minimize downtime
•Maintain facility systems and support areas
•Follow OSHA general-industry safety standards
•Document maintenance and parts in the system
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Industrial or equipment maintenance experience
•Mechanical and basic electrical troubleshooting skills
•Knowledge of lockout/tagout and machine safety
•Able to lift [up to 50 lbs] and work around machinery
•Ability to read schematics and manuals
PREFERRED
•Industrial maintenance or mechatronics training
•OSHA 10/30, certifications relevant to your equipment
•Experience with PLCs or automated systems
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour [+ benefits]
To apply, email __ with your resume.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Entry-Level Maintenance Helper
The entry version: a no-experience helper role that supports the team, handles basic tasks, and learns the trade on the job alongside experienced workers.
•Move, organize, and maintain tools, parts, and supplies
•Support unit turns or facility upkeep as assigned
•Follow safety procedures and use tools correctly
•Learn building systems and maintenance skills on the job
•Complete assigned work orders with supervision
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•No experience required; we will train
•Reliable, punctual, and eager to learn
•Basic handiness and comfort with tools a plus
•Able to lift [up to 50 lbs], climb, and be on your feet
•Strong work ethic and willingness to follow direction
PREFERRED
•Some hands-on or trade experience
•Interest in building a maintenance career
•Valid driver's license [if required]
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
To apply, email __ or apply in person.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 6: Maintenance Man / Handyman Generalist
The generalist version: a broad mix of everyday repairs and small projects across trades. The conversational maintenance man or handyman role for varied hands-on work.
Maintenance Man / Handyman Generalist Job Description
MAINTENANCE MAN / HANDYMAN JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __ ([City, State])
Reports to: [Owner / Property Manager]
Employment type: [ ] Full-time [ ] Part-time
FLSA status: Non-exempt (hourly)
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
JOB SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Maintenance Man (Handyman) to handle a wide range
of repairs and upkeep across our [property / buildings]. You will tackle
everyday fixes, small projects, and general maintenance, the kind of varied,
hands-on work where a reliable generalist keeps everything running.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Handle a broad mix of repairs: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, drywall
•Complete small projects and general upkeep
•Respond to maintenance requests across the property
•Perform routine and preventive maintenance
•Paint, patch, and make cosmetic repairs
•Maintain tools and keep work areas safe
•Follow safety procedures and applicable standards
•Communicate completed work and larger needs to [owner]
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Broad hands-on repair and maintenance experience
•Comfort across multiple trades (plumbing, electrical, carpentry)
•Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks
•Able to lift [up to 50 lbs], climb ladders, and use tools safely
•Reliable and resourceful problem-solver
•Valid driver's license [if required]
PREFERRED
•Any relevant trade certifications
•Experience in [your property type]
•Own basic tools [if applicable]
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Pay range: $_____ to $_____ per hour
To apply, email __ or apply in person.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
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Maintenance qualifications weight hands-on skill, reliability, and physical capability over formal degrees. Keep the requirements concrete, and separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves.
Weak requirement
Strong requirement
Handy
Hands-on repair skills across multiple trades
Knows tools
Safely uses hand and power tools and diagnostics
Physically able
Lifts up to 50 lbs, climbs ladders, works at heights
Reliable
Responds to work orders and on-call promptly
Some certs
EPA 608 or OSHA 10 where the role requires it
Most general roles are learned on the job and need no degree, so hire for hands-on ability and reliability, and list only the certifications your setting actually requires. Keep the language neutral and job-related, since the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on protected characteristics. For a fuller framework, the SHRM guide to writing a job description covers the standard sections.
Maintenance Worker Salary
Maintenance pay varies by setting, region, and skill, but federal data gives a reliable center for setting a range before you write the posting.
Maintenance Pay Anchor (BLS, May 2024)
The median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was $48,620 in May 2024, about $23.38 per hour, with the lowest 10 percent under about $33,860 and the highest 10 percent over about $76,110. The occupation held about 1.6 million jobs, with roughly 159,800 openings projected each year over the decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Setting drives much of the spread. These are the most recent confirmed federal estimates, useful as a baseline you adjust for your industry and local market.
Setting
Pay tendency
Why
Manufacturing
Above the median
Technical and machinery work
Government
Around the median
Municipal and facility roles
Real estate / apartment
Around or below the median
Volume residential work, plus on-call
Accommodation / food
Below the median
Smaller hospitality operations
Entry-level helper
Below the median
No experience required
Roles that require certifications, on-call availability, or technical skill generally pay above a basic generalist position, so anchor on your setting and local market, set an honest range, and state it in the posting, since several states require it.
Safety and Compliance
Maintenance is one of the higher-injury occupations, so safety and compliance belong in the job description, not just the handbook. Two areas matter most: OSHA safety standards and the certifications specific work requires.
On safety, the OSHA standards most relevant to maintenance are hazard communication, which covers the chemicals and cleaners maintenance staff handle, and lockout/tagout, which governs how equipment is de-energized before service. Fall protection applies to ladder and height work. State the safety expectations in the posting and deliver basic OSHA training during onboarding.
EPA 608 Is Required for Refrigerant Work
Anyone who maintains, services, or repairs equipment that could release refrigerants must hold an EPA Section 608 certification under federal law. This applies to many apartment and HVAC-adjacent maintenance roles, so list it as required where it applies, and verify and store the certificate during onboarding.
Beyond OSHA and EPA, workers' compensation coverage is required in most states for this physically demanding role, and state or local trade licenses may apply to electrical or plumbing work. List only the certifications your specific role requires, and plan to verify them at hire.
How to Write a Maintenance Worker Job Description
A strong maintenance posting takes about fifteen minutes once you settle the setting, the duties, the certifications, and the pay. Here is the process the templates are built around.
1
Pick the version for your setting
General, apartment, commercial, industrial, entry-level, or handyman, matched to your property type and the real role.
2
List the actual duties
Name the concrete repair, preventive-maintenance, and work-order duties for your setting, not a generic list copied from a corporate facility.
3
State physical demands and certifications
List lifting, climbing, and on-call expectations, and any required certifications like EPA Section 608 or OSHA training.
4
Build in safety and set pay honestly
Note the safety expectations, anchor pay on the BLS median of about $23.38 per hour, adjust for setting, and state the range.
5
Add a simple way to apply
Give one clear application step, and plan the fast offer, safety training, and onboarding since maintenance turnover is high.
Hiring Maintenance for a Small Business
A large property group or plant hires maintenance staff through an HR team with safety programs in place. A small business or independent property makes the same hire directly, usually the owner or a property manager, and does it often given high maintenance turnover. The posting also carries setting, safety, and certification stakes a generic template ignores. Here is how to do it well.
Match the version to your property, because maintenance is not generic
Maintenance means different work in an apartment community, an office building, and a small factory, and copying a generic template misses what the job actually involves. An apartment technician does unit turns, handles resident requests, and works an on-call rotation; a commercial facilities worker coordinates vendors and maintains building systems; an industrial maintenance worker lives in preventive maintenance and lockout/tagout. The fix is to use the version that fits your setting. Property managers should reach for the apartment template, an office or retail building for the commercial one, and a shop or plant for the industrial one. Matching the template to your property gets you accurate duties, the right certifications, and candidates who can actually do your job.
Maintenance is a high-risk role, so build safety into the posting
Maintenance work carries one of the higher injury rates of any occupation, and the hazards are exactly the ones regulators cite most: hazard communication for the chemicals and cleaners maintenance staff handle, lockout/tagout for servicing equipment, and fall protection for ladder and height work. A small business does not get a pass on this. State the real physical demands and safety expectations in the job description, note any required certifications like EPA Section 608 for refrigerant work, and plan to deliver basic OSHA safety training during onboarding. Putting safety in the posting sets the expectation up front and signals to candidates that you run a careful operation, which is exactly what good maintenance workers look for.
Plan the fast onboarding, because maintenance turnover is high
Maintenance roles turn over often, especially in apartment and multifamily settings, so you will hire for this position repeatedly, and the slow part is rarely the interview. It is the offer, the paperwork, the safety training, and storing the certifications. Before you post, know how you will handle the offer letter, the I-9 within three business days, tax forms, any EPA 608 or OSHA training records, and a first-week safety and property orientation. A small business without an HR department needs a simple, repeatable system that turns an accepted offer into a trained, safety-oriented worker fast, so constant rehiring does not consume the owner's or manager's time and so the property is never left without coverage.
After You Hire: Onboarding a Maintenance Worker
Maintenance onboarding combines standard new-hire steps with safety setup, and because the role is physical and turnover is high, getting a worker trained and certified fast matters. The basics come first: the offer with the pay stated, the I-9 completed within three business days, tax forms, and state new-hire reporting. Then come the role-specific requirements: verifying and storing any certifications like EPA 608, basic OSHA safety training for the hazards they will face, and a first-week orientation on your property, systems, and procedures.
FirstHR fits this directly: e-signature for the offer, I-9, and tax forms, document management to store EPA 608 and OSHA certificates, training assignments with completion records for safety orientation, and an HRIS with employee profiles for your team, all built for small businesses without an HR department, which helps when you rehire for the same role often. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR; today the platform handles onboarding and document tracking once the candidate signs.
Key Takeaways
A maintenance worker repairs and maintains buildings and equipment, and maintenance man is a synonym for the same general role.
Match the template to your setting: general, apartment, commercial, industrial, entry-level, or handyman, so the duties fit the real job.
Maintenance is one of the higher-injury occupations, so build OSHA safety expectations, like hazard communication and lockout/tagout, into the posting.
EPA Section 608 is required by federal law for refrigerant work, so list it where it applies and verify and store the certificate at hire.
Anchor pay on the BLS median of about $23.38 per hour, and adjust for setting, certifications, and local market.
Turnover is high, especially for apartment roles, so plan a fast, documented onboarding with safety training and certificate storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a maintenance worker do?
A general maintenance worker fixes and maintains buildings, equipment, and machines. The core duties are routine repairs across plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and painting, preventive maintenance on building systems, responding to work orders, inspecting facilities for needed repairs, and keeping everything safe and functional. Maintenance workers often handle many different tasks in a single day and may cover one building or several. The work shifts by setting: an apartment technician does unit turns and resident requests, a commercial facilities worker maintains building systems and coordinates vendors, and an industrial maintenance worker services production machinery. In every version it is a hands-on role that keeps a property or facility running, and it is one of the more common physical hires a small business makes.
What is the difference between a maintenance worker and a maintenance technician?
The terms overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably, but there is a rough distinction. Maintenance worker is the broad, general title, common for an all-purpose role covering basic repairs and upkeep across a building or property. Maintenance technician often implies more specialized or technical skill, such as an apartment maintenance technician who handles HVAC and appliance repair, or an industrial technician who services machinery. In practice, the right title depends on the job and the setting more than a strict rule. When you post, use the title that matches the actual work and your industry, since apartment communities tend to use technician while a small office might use worker for the same kind of generalist role.
Is a maintenance man the same as a maintenance worker?
Yes, maintenance man is a conversational synonym for a maintenance worker or handyman, describing the same general repair-and-upkeep role. Maintenance worker is the more current and gender-neutral term to use in a job posting, and it is also how the role appears in federal occupational data. People searching for maintenance man are usually looking for the same generalist who handles a broad mix of repairs, often at a property or small business. Use maintenance worker or handyman in the title for clarity and inclusiveness, while recognizing that candidates may search either term. The duties are the same: routine repairs, preventive maintenance, and general upkeep across trades.
What should a maintenance worker job description include?
A strong maintenance worker job description includes a clear job summary, key responsibilities, required qualifications and skills, the physical demands, any certifications, the pay range, and how to apply, all matched to your setting. Because maintenance means different work in an apartment, an office building, and a factory, the most useful step is to match the posting to your property type. State the real physical demands like lifting, climbing ladders, and standing for long periods, since these are legitimate job requirements. Note any required certifications such as EPA Section 608 for refrigerant work, the safety expectations, an honest pay range, and a simple way to apply. The templates on this page are each written for a specific setting so the duties and requirements match the actual job.
How much should I pay a maintenance worker?
Federal data gives a useful anchor. The median annual wage for general maintenance and repair workers was about $48,620 in May 2024, roughly $23.38 per hour, with the lowest 10 percent under about $33,860 and the highest 10 percent over about $76,110. Pay varies by industry and region: maintenance roles in manufacturing tend to pay above the median, while accommodation and food service tend to pay below it. Experience, certifications, and the technical level of the role also move pay. For a small business, anchor on your local market and the specific setting, set an honest range, and state it in the posting. Apartment and industrial roles that require certifications or on-call work generally command more than a basic generalist position.
What certifications does a maintenance worker need?
Most general maintenance roles need no formal certification and are learned on the job, but specific work triggers specific requirements. The most common is EPA Section 608 certification, which is required by federal law for anyone who handles refrigerants, so apartment and HVAC-adjacent technicians often need it. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 safety training is widely valued and sometimes required, especially in commercial and industrial settings. State or local trade licenses may apply to electrical or plumbing work depending on scope. When you post, list the certifications your specific role actually requires rather than a generic wish list, mark which are required versus preferred, and plan to verify and store certificates during onboarding so your records are complete.
What safety rules apply to maintenance work?
Maintenance is one of the higher-injury occupations, so several OSHA standards apply directly. Hazard communication covers the chemicals, cleaners, and solvents maintenance staff handle and requires safety data sheets and labeling. Lockout/tagout governs how equipment is de-energized before service, which is critical in industrial settings. Fall protection applies to ladder and height work. Machine guarding and powered-industrial-truck rules apply where relevant. A small business is still responsible for these. State the safety expectations in the job description, provide basic OSHA safety training during onboarding, and keep training records. Beyond OSHA, workers' compensation coverage is required in most states for this physically demanding role. Building safety into the posting and onboarding protects both your workers and your business.
What happens after I hire a maintenance worker?
Once a candidate accepts, the hire moves into onboarding, which for a physical role combines standard new-hire steps with safety setup. The first steps are the offer and paperwork: the offer letter with the pay stated, the I-9 completed within three business days, tax forms, and state new-hire reporting. Then come the role-specific requirements: verifying and storing any certifications like EPA 608, basic OSHA safety training for the hazards they will face, and a first-week orientation on your property, systems, and procedures. FirstHR fits this directly: e-signature for the offer, I-9, and tax forms, document management to store EPA 608 and OSHA certificates, training assignments with completion tracking for safety orientation, and an HRIS with employee profiles for your team, all built for small businesses without an HR department, which helps when you rehire for the same role often. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR; today the platform handles onboarding and document tracking once the candidate signs.
