maintenance technician

lead maintenance

leasing consultant

senior maintenance person

concierge

AvalonBay Communities

As I reflect on my remarkable journey with AvalonBay over the past 29 years, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and fulfillment. From the moment I joined this incredible company, I knew I had found my professional home—a place where dedication, growth, and community converge.

Throughout my tenure at AvalonBay, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a company that invests in its employees. The opportunities for personal and professional growth have been abundant, allowing me to continuously develop and expand my skills. From training programs tailored to individual needs to mentorship initiatives that fostered my career advancement, AvalonBay has consistently demonstrated its commitment to empowering its workforce.

One aspect that sets AvalonBay apart is its unwavering focus on fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. The genuine camaraderie among team members creates a sense of belonging and unity that is truly inspiring. I have had the privilege of working alongside remarkable colleagues who not only share their expertise but also go above and beyond to lend a helping hand. The spirit of collaboration at AvalonBay fuels our collective success and fuels my passion for coming to work each day.

What truly sets AvalonBay apart, however, is its unwavering dedication to creating communities, both within and beyond its properties. As a company deeply rooted in sustainability and responsible practices, AvalonBay goes above and beyond to make a positive impact on the neighborhoods it serves. Whether it's through environmentally friendly building designs, community engagement initiatives, or partnerships with local organizations, AvalonBay's commitment to making a difference in people's lives is truly remarkable.

The values that AvalonBay upholds—integrity, excellence, and a strong sense of social responsibility—have not only shaped the company's success but have also become an integral part of my own professional identity. It is deeply fulfilling to be associated with a company that genuinely cares about its employees, residents, and the broader community. Knowing that I am part of an organization that actively works to enhance the quality of life for countless individuals gives my work a sense of purpose that is truly invaluable.

As I look ahead to the future, I am filled with excitement and optimism. The journey I have undertaken with AvalonBay has been transformative, and I am confident that the company will continue to thrive and evolve in the years to come. I am grateful for the opportunities, growth, and fulfillment that AvalonBay has provided me throughout these 29 years, and I eagerly anticipate the many more milestones we will achieve together.

To those considering a career at AvalonBay, I wholeheartedly encourage you to embark on this remarkable journey. The company's commitment to its employees, focus on personal and professional growth, and dedication to creating vibrant, sustainable communities make AvalonBay a truly exceptional place to work. 

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or to learn more about my incredible journey with AvalonBay. I am always here to help and share my experiences.



High turnover in management; not that they necessarily quit but they will get promoted or transferred OFTEN. Some community managers will manage multiple communities at once making them less accessible and using the multiple communities as stepping stones to get promoted elsewhere.

The maintenance managers are great, better managers than the community managers that are supposed to work directly with leasing and admin/concierge staff. 

Leasing team is never fully staffed. At one community we went from 3 people in leasing to only 1 person in leasing and this became a long term/semi-permanent thing. It puts stress on the other staff (concierge and maintenance) as well. Concierge is then expected to play defense/screen phone calls, leading to frustrated residents/prospects that call multiple times and are never allowed to talk to anyone in leasing. A lot of times you will be left scrambling if you are with a team that does not communicate. Vendors will arrive onsite without you having any knowledge of who they are or what they need from you. As a concierge, they want you to be at the desk at all times but also want you to do 10 other jobs that require you to run around the community.

A pro: you can get easily promoted if you express interest but it likely means more of the same; taking on additional tasks outside of your new job description. 

Some communities/locations are better than others at working and COMMUNICATING as a team. Leasing, maintenance, and concierge/admin if applicable should all be considered one large team working hand in hand and being kept in the loop on what is going on in their respective departments. If done well, which I have seen, it can be a beautifully run workplace. Unfortunately, I have also seen, more often, it not running that way. All teams are on their own separate islands. 

Changes are rarely made or implemented. Avalon cares a lot about goals and progress on paper, tracking short term and long term goals but not so much about the day to day hiccups.

Customer Service Representative (Former Employee), Virginia Beach - Summer 2012

"I worked at this place for 4 years and it started off as a laid back work enviroment, but the management changed in 2011 and now they set unrealistic expectations. My manager actually had a rule where you couldn't go to the bathroom for the first hour of the day". (Above)

New direction in 2011 under former call center manager(s) is now typical call center atmosphere - low pay, no respect for individuality and extreme turnover based on controlling costs vs. performance. Absolutely no loyalty to retainage and investment in employees. Research job openings very carefully and ask yourself "why the amount of positions are open all the time" prior to leaving stable employment including unemployment. It would be ok for a "job" while looking to transition into a professional environment if needed. However you will need to put up with the "no bathroom breaks until scheduled, same for refreshments, no leaving your desk for assistance from associates in other dept's for the sake of handling calls/conflicts, Q&A is subjective based on reviewer and each manager has different standards pending on the day however claim their systems are perfect and at least one other manager with ridiculous rules "push your chair in, organize your desk in the manner they woulld, wear your hair up, wear your makeup this way, wear this, not that, thats not what I would do so you are wrong"!

Mind you the same Adherence Policy & Systems do not apply to other departments around you. Very difficult to understand.

Go for it if you are unsure of how you handle yourself both personally and professionally!

A typical work day as a Concierge for Avalon Bay Communities was unlike any other company I've worked for in the past. The community I worked at consisted mainly of American University students, which was quite the experience. I was kinda thrown into the fire initially but had the support of my hiring manager to lean on when I first began. There was a lot of information to take in and I feel as though they were really eager to add me to the mix simply because one of my fellow coworkers were currently picking up the shifts that I was ultimately going to work. The people who lived at the community weren't the best but they also weren't the worst. I worked the weekend shifts from 3pm-11pm Saturdays and Sundays which meant I was around for lots of parties and intoxicated individuals coming in and out of the building most of whom NEVER had their FOBs. Management at this particular community was in a  state of flux at my initial time of hire. The front desk manager that was present at time of hire left within 3 months after me being apart of the team. Also, the building manager left who was also present at time of hire. The Sales Supervisor held temporary position of Front Desk Supervisor until they could hire for the position, needless to say there was just a lot going on all at once and I feel as though I didn't receive full proper training so I kinda was learning on the fly. I enjoy the relationships I built with many of the residences and staff but the hardest part about the job in my particular case was just communicating a lot of the things as far as "need to know", that I wasn't around for during the week due to the fact that I only worked on weekends. All in all it was an experience, I am glad I had the opportunity to work for this company  maybe not so much at the particular community i was a part of but perhaps I will consider this field of work again in the future.

I worked at this company for over two and a half years at their Customer Care Center in Virginia Beach and it is your typical corporate office. Even though you are hourly you have paid sick and vacation- no exceptions. The pay is terrible for the amount of work you do and in order to get promoted you literally have to take "classes"; complete book reports and job shadow- mainly all on your own time. After you complete this- you only get a $1 raise for each platform! If you want to move up to management you're better off leaving the company and coming back- the pay will be much better. 

I loved the work I did but could no longer deal with the office politics and the way they treated people- we were all replaceable and treated as such. They chase away all the good employees and it is almost always a bitter ending once you put your two weeks in(myself included). They waste money with a full week of associate appreciation, bbq's and other things throughout the year but realisticly I would have preferred that go to my paycheck.

It is also a pretty negative environment; if you have an issue, opinion or thought that may not be overly positive..... you will be forever looked at as a negative person and judged for it. They do not like to hear your opinions- period. The Customer Care Center is very out of touch with their employees.

If you are the person who can come to work, mind you own business and collect the check, this may work for you but if you are like me and put your all into your work and really want to get involved than you may struggle like I did and mentally check out after a year.

A Typical Day at Work:
A typical day at work involves diving into various tasks, collaborating with team members, and addressing any challenges that arise. It usually starts with reviewing priorities, attending meetings, and working on projects to meet deadlines.

What I Believe I Learned:
Working here has provided me with invaluable learning opportunities. From enhancing my technical skills to improving my communication and time management abilities, I've grown both personally and professionally.

Management:
The management team plays a crucial role in providing guidance, support, and resources needed for success. I appreciate their leadership style, transparency, and willingness to listen to employee feedback.

Workplace Culture:
The workplace culture here is characterized by collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. There's a strong sense of camaraderie among colleagues, and everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas and share their perspectives.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
While every job has its challenges, I find that managing competing priorities and navigating tight deadlines can be demanding at times. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and development.

The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
The most enjoyable part of the job is seeing the impact of our work and collaborating with talented colleagues. Whether it's solving complex problems, achieving project milestones, or celebrating team successes, these moments are incredibly rewarding.

Prior to joining the AvalonBay family, I had become acquainted with AvalonBay associates.  I always admired them because of how knowledgeable they were.  So, when the opportunity came to join AvalonBay, I didn't give it a second thought and I've never looked back.  

Fast forward 7 years later and I have found a company I can retire with.   Below are just a few (I could list so many more) reasons why AvalonBay is the BEST company to work.

*Executives/Directors are consistently looking for opportunities to grow their associates (i.e. participating in corporate initiatives, stretch assignments, etc.)

*Work/Life Balance is a real thing.  The work load is realistic.

*The company culture is the strongest I've ever seen in a company.  This is the first place I have worked where we will close down offices (once a quarter) to celebrate the associates.   Over the years I have developed some really great relationships with the people I work with.

*AvalonBay is always looking for opportunities to do things better.  It's about working effectively and efficiently. 

*AvalonBay is about doing the right thing for the residents.  While we are in the business of making a profit, it's never at the risk of the resident's experience.

*The training program is top-notch and has continued to evolve overtime.  You will always know how to do your job.


I could go on and on.  If you are interested in a career in multi-family residential management/development, this is where you want to be.  I've always believed that when you work hard, recognition follows...and AvalonBay has made this true!

What is the best part of working at the company?
Avalonbay Communities really prides itself on inclusion of it's associates.  This is stressed numerous times in orientation & the looong training required before even starting any work. 

However, since the beginning of my employment with AvalonBay Communities, starting with my attempt at requesting reasonable accommodation for my service dog, up to my injury occurred while working(basically I feel like I'm being punished for getting hurt on the job), instead of the'inclusion' that AvalonBay Communities prides itself on,  I've experienced nothing but "exclusion".  Regarding my injury, my doctor permitted me to return to work with "restrictions".  My position being a maintenance technician ll, I'm mostly turning apartment units, mostly painting & light maintenance, which the restriction the doctor placed in my RTW status, really wouldn't affect my work performance at all, yet a certain individual in HR of AvalonBay Communities decided that was but the case, & put me on medical leave of absence without pay.  As a result, I have been without pay for 2.5 months now, starving, lost my car, everything is falling apart, & this is the 1st time in my life that I'm feeling so hopeless, super-stressed, & depressed 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
For me personally, the exclusion

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The environment is nice as you're working mostly by yourself but the being rushed part, no good

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Busy all day that the time/day flies by

I've worked for 4 property management companies throughout my career- Bozzuto, Riverstone, AvalonBay, and a hole in the wall one that shall remain unnamed. I've never been happier than I am with Avalon! Seriously! The starting salary is quite fair. Bonuses were better at Bozzuto but base pay was far worse, and I had no work life balance there since I got calls and texts on my days off and I was very concerned with fitting into the stuck up, "perfect" facade that was required to be a successful associate. At Avalon, I can be my crazy, off beat self and it's just fine. Further, I don't often work late, my co workers do not call me on my days off (unless I'm being invited to an outing), we're not pressured to meet a monthly leasing quota so I actually get along with my co workers rather than secretly despising them, and although I do have to work on Saturdays (hence the four stars for work/life balance), we are CLOSED ON SUNDAYS :)
To compensate for the obvious frustrations of being in a service industry where people can be especially testy, we're rewarded with lots of associate events and recognition programs, and we often have company paid outings and lunches- it really makes me feel valued. This is a great place to start working and to grow (because you can go anywhere, Avalon is a nationwide company). Oh, and did I mention that a year ago, I gave notice because I wanted to return to school full time, and my manager asked if I'd like to stay and work around my school schedule? Does that like, ever happen? Work for Avalon! You'll love it here!

I've loved working for AvalonBay for as long as I have. There are a few keys to keep in mind if you want to succeed, which I think are very reasonable. You need to make an effort to continuously improve and learn. Managers notice this and will recognize it. You also need to be a team player, and I've been lucky to have worked with some pretty amazing teams. If you want to move up, you can't just sit and wait for someone to hand it to you. Show that you're hungry, and be willing to work at different properties. I feel like the people who complain about not being able to move up expect a promotion to magically fall into their lap. I've been promoted twice in the past year and I believe it's because I work hard, look for opportunities to be innovative, and I don't pass up chances to learn how to do new things. I also really appreciate the sentiment AvalonBay has towards its residents. Although they may not always see it this way, resident satisfaction is very important - in fact its the key to the company's success. If you don't have good customer service skills, you will not make it - at least not if you work on-site at a community. What I like most is that almost every day is different, and my friends and family members can't believe some of the stories I can tell them. The job certainly isn't without its share of stress, but that's why it's call work, and it's why they pay you.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Maintenance technician 2 salaries reported	$25.50 per hour
Lead maintenance 5 salaries reported	$29.90 per hour
Leasing consultant 1 salary reported	$55,500 per year
Senior maintenance person 10 salaries reported	$24.84 per hour
Concierge 3 salaries reported	$23.67 per hour

Working at AvalonBay Communities: Company Overview and Reviews

AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities Ratings

Popular jobs at AvalonBay Communities

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected