About Meritus Property Group
Meritus Property Group is a team of dedicated commercial and multifamily property-management professionals who take pride in being responsible stewards of the built environment. We operate properties efficiently, protect the value and condition of the assets entrusted to us, and provide an outstanding experience for residents, tenants, clients, and visitors.
As part of the Ethos family of companies, Meritus manages retail, commercial, industrial, and multifamily properties throughout the Portland metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley, Southwest Washington, and the greater Seattle area.
Position Summary
Meritus Property Group is seeking a highly motivated, dependable, and hands-on Multi-Site Floating Porter / Groundskeeper to support apartment communities throughout the assigned portfolio.
This position is for someone who sees what needs to be done and takes action without waiting to be asked. The right candidate will be a hard worker, a practical problem-solver, and a team player who takes personal pride in leaving every property cleaner, safer, and better than they found it.
This is not a position for someone who simply walks a property, reports problems, and moves on. We are looking for someone who will investigate issues, troubleshoot basic problems, complete minor repairs within their skill level, and help the property team find practical solutions. Outside vendors should be recommended only when the work requires specialized licensing, equipment, expertise, or authorization.
The position involves a wide variety of responsibilities, including:
- Maintaining property grounds and landscaping areas
- Cleaning building exteriors and components of the building envelope
- Cleaning common areas, leasing offices, and on-site workspaces
- Supporting vacant-unit preparation and property inspections
- Completing minor maintenance and repair tasks
- Responding quickly to changing property priorities
- Traveling between multiple apartment communities
The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, managing a demanding schedule, performing physical work, and maintaining high standards in all weather conditions.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesGrounds, Exterior, and Curb Appeal
- Maintain the cleanliness, appearance, safety, and overall curb appeal of assigned apartment communities.
- Walk properties frequently and proactively address visible issues without waiting for a manager to identify them.
- Pick up trash, debris, cigarette butts, pet waste, discarded furniture, and other litter throughout the property.
- Sweep, blow, pressure wash, scrub, and clean sidewalks, walkways, breezeways, parking areas, entryways, patios, courtyards, and other exterior surfaces.
- Maintain clean and orderly trash enclosures, dumpster areas, recycling areas, and waste stations.
- Address overflowing trash, unauthorized dumping, loose debris, unpleasant odors, and unsanitary conditions promptly.
- Remove cobwebs, dirt, buildup, stains, and debris from building exteriors, doors, railings, signs, light fixtures, windows, siding, and other accessible components of the building envelope.
- Help preserve the condition and appearance of property exteriors by identifying drainage concerns, damaged siding, loose materials, clogged areas, water intrusion, deteriorated sealant, and other visible building-envelope issues.
- Perform seasonal cleanup, leaf removal, storm cleanup, snow or ice response, and other weather-related property work as assigned.
- Support landscaping presentation through weeding, watering, trimming, cleanup, and other basic groundskeeping tasks.
- Keep property entrances, monument signs, directional signs, parking lots, sidewalks, and landscaping beds neat and professionally presented.
Common Areas, Offices, and Interior Cleaning
- Clean and maintain leasing offices, management offices, maintenance areas, clubhouses, business centers, conference rooms, resident lounges, laundry rooms, fitness areas, mailrooms, elevators, hallways, stairwells, restrooms, and other shared spaces.
- Sweep, mop, vacuum, dust, wipe down, sanitize, and clean surfaces using appropriate supplies and equipment.
- Clean interior and exterior windows, doors, glass, walls, baseboards, fixtures, appliances, floors, and high-touch surfaces.
- Maintain organized and sanitary janitorial, supply, storage, and maintenance areas.
- Restock paper products, soap, cleaning supplies, and other operational materials as needed.
- Identify and address odors, spills, stains, pests, damage, or conditions that negatively affect the resident or visitor experience.
- Maintain a consistently professional presentation in all areas visible to residents, prospects, clients, and visitors.
Hands-On Troubleshooting and Minor Repairs
- Investigate property concerns before determining that an outside vendor is needed.
- Troubleshoot basic mechanical, plumbing, appliance, electrical, drainage, lighting, door, lock, hardware, and building-related issues within the employee’s training and authorized scope of work.
- Complete minor repairs such as tightening hardware, replacing accessible light bulbs, adjusting doors, installing basic fixtures, clearing simple obstructions, patching minor surface damage, securing loose materials, and addressing other routine property needs.
- Use sound judgment to determine whether an issue can be resolved in-house or requires assistance from a maintenance technician, supervisor, or licensed contractor.
- Provide the maintenance team with clear, useful information regarding symptoms, observations, attempted solutions, photographs, and the location of the issue.
- Never perform work that requires a professional license, specialized certification, or training the employee does not possess.
- Follow all company safety procedures and immediately report conditions that present an urgent risk to people or property.
Vacant Units and Rent-Ready Support
- Help prepare vacant apartments for leasing tours, inspections, and move-ins.
- Complete light cleaning, detailing, touch-up, and “spiffing” work so vacant homes appear fresh, clean, odor-free, and professionally presented.
- Remove trash, abandoned items, dust, dirt, labels, residue, and leftover materials.
- Sweep, vacuum, mop, wipe down surfaces, clean appliances, and confirm that entrances and patios are presentable.
- Test basic items when authorized and report anything that is not functioning properly.
- Identify maintenance deficiencies, odors, water damage, pests, missing items, safety concerns, and incomplete work before a unit is shown.
- Partner with leasing and maintenance teams to meet deadlines and ensure vacant homes satisfy Meritus presentation standards.
- Assist with in-house unit turns and property projects based on experience, training, and operational needs.
Property Inspections and Ownership of Results
- Conduct regular property walks to identify cleanliness, safety, maintenance, security, and curb-appeal concerns.
- Take ownership of issues that can be corrected immediately instead of simply reporting them.
- Identify vandalism, graffiti, broken fixtures, lighting outages, leaks, trip hazards, drainage concerns, illegal dumping, pest activity, damaged property, unsecured doors, and other operational concerns.
- Photograph and document significant issues as required.
- Escalate urgent concerns promptly and communicate clearly about the nature and severity of the problem.
- Follow through until assigned work is completed or appropriately transferred to another team member.
- Verify that work areas are left clean, safe, organized, and fully operational after completing a task.
Multi-Site Portfolio Support
- Travel between multiple apartment communities during the workday according to assigned priorities.
- Adjust quickly when an urgent property need changes the planned schedule.
- Work productively without continuous supervision.
- Plan routes, organize supplies, and manage time efficiently to maximize productivity.
- Maintain consistent work quality across properties with different layouts, conditions, staffing levels, and operational needs.
- Support property managers, leasing teams, maintenance teams, regional leadership, and other portfolio employees as needed.
- Help teammates complete high-priority work rather than limiting involvement to a narrow job description.
- Maintain a positive, respectful, and solutions-focused attitude during busy or challenging situations.
Technology, Documentation, and Communication
- Use company property-management software, work-order systems, inspection applications, email, text messaging, and mobile technology as required.
- Document completed work, inspections, supply needs, observations, and pending concerns accurately and promptly.
- Provide clear updates regarding what was completed, what remains outstanding, and what additional support may be required.
- Respond professionally and promptly to communication from supervisors and property teams.
- Maintain accurate mileage, supply, inventory, time, and task records when required.
- Follow assigned schedules, checklists, company policies, safety requirements, and established property standards.
Required Qualifications
- At least three years of experience in groundskeeping, portering, janitorial work, facilities support, apartment maintenance, construction cleanup, building services, or a related hands-on field.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Reliable personal vehicle.
- Valid automobile insurance meeting company requirements.
- Ability and willingness to travel between multiple properties throughout the workday.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and remain productive without constant supervision.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to investigate and troubleshoot problems.
- Ability to safely use hand tools, cleaning equipment, landscaping tools, pressure washers, carts, ladders, and related equipment.
- Comfortable using mobile applications, email, work-order software, and basic workplace technology.
- Strong attention to detail and pride in the appearance and condition of the properties.
- Ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
- Reliable, punctual, accountable, and consistent attendance.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work respectfully with residents, prospects, vendors, property teams, and leadership.
- Willingness to perform demanding physical work indoors and outdoors throughout the year.
- Ability to accept feedback, adapt to changing priorities, and support the needs of the team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience supporting multiple apartment communities or commercial properties.
- Experience with vacant-unit preparation or apartment turns.
- Basic experience with plumbing, appliance troubleshooting, painting, drywall repair, pressure washing, landscaping, carpentry, doors, locks, hardware, or general property repairs.
- Experience identifying exterior-building, drainage, moisture, or building-envelope concerns.
- Familiarity with property-management software or mobile work-order systems.
- Experience working in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment.
What Success Looks Like
A successful Multi-Site Floating Porter / Groundskeeper:
- Arrives on time and prepared to work.
- Does not need to be repeatedly reminded or followed up with.
- Notices problems before they become complaints.
- Takes immediate action when something can be safely corrected.
- Troubleshoots before recommending a vendor.
- Communicates clearly when additional support is genuinely needed.
- Works with urgency while maintaining quality.
- Takes pride in physical, hands-on work.
- Supports teammates and contributes wherever needed.
- Leaves each property visibly cleaner, safer, and better maintained.
- Follows assignments through to completion.
- Can be trusted to represent Meritus professionally at every property.
Key Competencies
- Dependability and punctuality
- Strong work ethic
- Initiative and self-direction
- Hands-on problem-solving
- Mechanical aptitude
- Personal accountability
- Attention to detail
- Sense of urgency
- Independent follow-through
- Time and route management
- Teamwork and flexibility
- Clear communication
- Curb-appeal awareness
- Professionalism
- Safety awareness
- Pride of workmanship
Physical Requirements
The employee must be able to:
- Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, stoop, reach, climb, push, and pull throughout the workday.
- Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Walk large apartment communities, including stairs, hallways, parking lots, landscaped areas, uneven surfaces, and exterior grounds.
- Work indoors and outdoors in rain, heat, cold, wind, and other varying weather conditions.
- Safely operate basic hand tools, cleaning equipment, landscaping equipment, carts, ladders, and property-maintenance equipment.
- Perform repetitive physical tasks for extended periods.
- Wear required personal protective equipment and follow all company safety procedures.
Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
Work Environment
This is a floating, multi-site position supporting multiple apartment communities. The employee will regularly travel between assigned properties and perform work in occupied communities, vacant apartments, common areas, offices, maintenance spaces, parking areas, landscaped grounds, and building exteriors.
The position requires flexibility, accountability, consistent attendance, and the ability to maintain high standards across multiple locations. Work assignments may change during the day based on property emergencies, staffing needs, inspections, weather conditions, move-ins, leasing activity, or other business priorities.
Compensation and Schedule
Compensation will be based on relevant experience, demonstrated skills, assigned portfolio responsibilities, and property locations.
The schedule will be established based on portfolio needs. Weekend, holiday, early-morning, or occasional after-hours support may be required.
Travel between assigned properties is an essential function of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Meritus Property Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
