Housekeeper (2 Positions Available)

Housekeeper (2 Positions Available) (3069)

Housekeeper (2 Positions Available)

The VIU Student Housing Housekeepers are responsible for the cleanliness and basic maintenance of VIU Student Housing.  The Housekeeper position works closely and collaboratively within a team of Housekeepers in addition to independent work.

Employment Group CUPE Position Number 00790 Division Vice-President Students Department VIU Student Housing Campus Nanaimo campus *Successful candidates must be able to attend in person on campus as required. Location Nanaimo, British Columbia Country Canada Appointment Type regular part-time Workload 17.5-40 hours per week depending on operational needs. Evenings and weekends required. Pay Level CUPE Student Housing 4 $26.63 per hour Appointment Start Date 21-Nov-2026 Applicant Documents CV/Resume, Cover Letter, Name and contact information of recent supervisors willing to provide a reference Posted Date 22-Oct-2026 Closing Date 28-Oct-2026 Job Reference 3069 Documents

• CUPE Self Declaration Form
  (Word, 40.35kb)

Duties:

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Regular routine cleaning of common spaces in student facilities and staff spaces, including:

• Common spaces include kitchens, common rooms, stairwells, landings, hallways, entry ways, janitor closets, laundry rooms, linen closets, storage rooms, offices, and reception.
• Regular routine cleaning includes dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, garbage, recycling removal, sanitization of high touch surfaces, mopping, window glass and screens, and curtains.
• Appliance cleaning including ovens, microwaves, fridges, freezers, Keurig coffee machines, and dishwashers.

Regular dorm room turnover includes:

• Reprioritization of workload to ensure timely turnover throughout the academic year.
• Complete final inspection of dorm room and bathroom for residents who have moved out early and clean the spaces for incoming residents in a timely manner.
• This includes entering and cleaning double spaces where a resident is still occupying the space.

Detailed deep cleaning of living spaces upon academic year move out, including:

• All of the above as well as light fixtures, baseboards, walls, shower, toilet, sinks, ovens, all appliances, cabinets, furniture, window tracts, heaters, vents, and spot carpet cleaning.

Rapid turnover cleaning for hoteling, including:

• Regular routine cleaning, linen labeling and transport, and hotel room staging.
• Removal of checked out guests’ left behind items.
• The ability to pivot quickly and respond in the event of double bookings, incorrect bookings, or guests checking into unprepared spaces.

Laundry and replenishment of supplies including:

• Cleaning linen during the academic year,
• Hotel bedding and towels for the summer months, and
• Monitor and maintain stock of cleaning supplies, cleaning equipment, supplies for repairs, fixtures, and hotel items.

Working safely with chemicals and cleaning products in accordance with WHMIS including,

• Daily use of cleaning chemicals.
• Occasional use of higher risk chemicals such as drain opener, oven cleaner, bleach, Orderly, and bug spray.
• Adhering to WHMIS regulations, including the labelling, storage, and use of products.
• Quickly responding to VIU’s Safety Incident Reporting tool in the event of exposure to chemicals.
• Ensuring that SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are up to date and visible in accordance to WHMIS regulations.

Basic assessment and repair of facilities’ maintenance issues, which includes but not limited to:

• Maintenance of vacuums, drains, furniture, door hinges, appliances (non-electrical) and toilets.
• Repair minor damages.
• Initial response and investigation of insect or rodent reports and provide recommendation for next steps to Front Desk staff/or management.

Rapid initial response to facility related emergencies during regular working hours, including,

• Respond to and advise on response to emergency to mitigate damages and student/guest displacement,
• Exercising judgment to assess the facility emergency and determine the external support needed,
• Communicate recommendations to Housing front desk staff to support the emergency,
• In the event of a flood, identify source(s) of the water.  Shut off water while prioritizing the mitigation of damage to the facility.

Deep cleaning following facility related emergency, this includes:

• Cleaning up residual debris such as drywall, wood, and dust.
• Laundering any linen or student belongings that were impacted.
• Spot carpet cleaning.
• Setting up extractors and blowers for minor flooding.

Assessment of damages made by students and/or guests. This includes:

• Comparing the state of the facility in question with specific reference to the Room Checklist condition, and
• Initial assessment and documentation of the extent of the damage.

Work with Management and the Housing Life Team to coordinate and undertake the room inspection process to be completed per term and upon checkout,

• Visual inspection of each student/guest room and common space assessing for damages and cleanliness,
• Detailed documentation of the inspection,
• Assess hygiene of student spaces and refer student concerns to Housing Life and/or Operations management,
• Maintain confidentiality,
• If the inspection does not meet the standards, Housekeeping is to schedule a follow up inspection and provide guidance on how to pass the future inspection.

Basic snow and ice management, including distribution of ice melt and shoveling building entries,

Student education on cleaning practices and habits, this includes:

• A one-hour educational program during orientation, group or one on one education that is specific to the students’ needs.

Daily completion of documentation of cleaning and maintenance.

Courteous, professional communication with all students and guests including vulnerable and marginalized populations,

The ability to work well and stay on task independently as well as within a team environment.

This position is part of the Operational Needs group as per the VIU CUPE 1858 Collective Agreement Article 28.12.

Required Qualifications:

• One year of related maintenance and cleaning experience.
• Physical capacity to manage multiple flights of stairs per day, while carrying up to 50lbs.
• Basic knowledge of maintenance, cleaning safety and cleaning products or tool use.
• Ability to troubleshoot maintenance requests and repairs.
• Proven critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in cleaning any combination of homes, commercial, industrial, hotel or dormitory.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and professionally with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders including students, parents, contractors, and the wider Housing and VIU staff.
• Excellent organizational skills and basic computer skills.
• Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines while maintaining quality standards. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Level 5 Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.

VIU is pleased to offer eligible employees a comprehensive benefit plan; ample paid holiday time; professional development opportunities and a desirable pension plan. As part of the VIU campus community, our employees work with supportive colleagues within an encouraging environment and are provided with the tools and training that promote learning and development. The perks of VIU employment are multiple, and include well-being initiatives and services, strategic discounts, and flexible work opportunities.

Note: 

• Short-listed candidates must provide original transcripts, or applicable original certifications at time of interview.
• All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
• Vancouver Island University (VIU) is collectively committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment for faculty, staff, and students.  In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations who bring value to the VIU community through their lived experiences.  We encourage members of all equity-seeking groups to self-identify within their application cover letter.  When a candidate voluntarily discloses this information in their cover letter, the information will be used only for the fulfillment of the career opportunity.  Disclosure and/or self-identification with an equity-seeking group will not lead to advantageous treatment of a candidate who is not qualified.

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