Rental Property Maintenance Assistant
Whitman College
Compensation: $20.28 - $22.68 hourly
WHITMAN COLLEGE
Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).
POSITION PURPOSE
The Rental Property Maintenance Assistant is responsible for supporting the Rental Property Maintenance Manager in the maintenance and general upkeep of Whitman College owned rental properties. This individual must be a responsible, punctual, self-directed person who has an eye for detail and could help assess property (building and grounds) issues under general direction of the Rental Property Maintenance Manager and/or the AVP of Facilities Services. The objective is to restore and maintain the structural, mechanical and aesthetic integrity of all college owned rental properties, while ensuring a safe living environment. Evening and weekend work may be required.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
Landscape Maintenance (60%)
- Complete daily assigned landscape needs on all residences, designated apartment buildings, and selected commercial buildings owned by Whitman College.
- Mow assigned lawns, edge, and blow off walkways as needed daily.
- Keep landscape beds free of weeds and debris.
- Trim and clean up bushes as needed.
- Apply seasonal fertilizers and preventative weed sprays as directed by the manager or Rental Property Maintenance Coordinator.
- Assess landscape needs daily and communicate findings with the Rental Property Maintenance Manager.
- Safely operate landscape equipment and power tools.
- Maintain all landscape equipment, keeping it clean and in good working order.
- Understand general irrigation system principles.
- Perform other seasonal duties, such as raking leaves, removing debris, snow and ice, from steps, walks, ramps, and parking lots.
- Observe safety precautions and procedures at all times, being alert for unsafe conditions and correcting the conditions accordingly.
Property Maintenance (30%)
- Clean apartment laundry rooms and common areas as needed or weekly, including vacuuming, mopping floors, wiping down surfaces and cleaning doors and windows.
- Put trash and recycling cans out for weekly pick up at all apartment complexes and bring them back in from the street after pick-up.
- Support scheduled preventative maintenance such as changing fire alarm batteries, changing air filters, cleaning gutters or roofs, and winterizations before freezing temperatures arise.
- Support routine checks of houses as needed and during school breaks.
- Support the Rental Property Maintenance team with summer maintenance projects. Maintenance work will in part consist of:
- General cleaning.
- Refinish all floors as necessary (e.g., hardwood, carpeting, etc.).
- Painting and some wall repairs.
- Report damages and repairs needed as they are discovered to the Rental Property Maintenance Manager.
- Respond to emergencies after hours or on weekends as needed for repairs or issues that arise as directed by the Rental Property Maintenance Manager.
Evolving Responsibilities (10%)
- Assist with cleaning and restocking the short-term stays properties under the Rental Property Maintenance team as needed or as directed by the Rental Property Maintenance Manager.
- Keep the landscape shop and workspace clean and free of debris.
- Work within the safety regulations for federal, state, and Whitman College.
- Serve as essential personnel, meaning duties are essential to the operations of the College and require that the position report to campus for work even during full or partial closures, emergencies, inclement weather, etc.
- Adhere to College policies and guidelines.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,
- Ability to work closely and collaboratively with faculty, students and staff.
- Ability to orally communicate effectively.
- Ability to operate ground maintenance equipment and understand irrigation principles.
- Ability to operate all custodial equipment, including vacuums, mops, and shampooers, etc.
- Ability to use power tools as required for maintaining properties.
- Ability to meet normal physical requirements for performing maintenance/custodial duties.
- Ability to use computers for emails and general Whitman College communication.
- Ability to positively and actively contribute to the College's core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism and access.
- Ability to use good judgment and have an eye for detail.
- Ability to be reliable and capable of working independently on the assigned shift.
- Ability to maintain knowledge of the Landlord-Tenant Act.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of related work (or equivalent) experience.
- Must possess a valid driver's license and meet one of the following criteria: be at least 18 years old with 2 years of driving experience and complete a driver improvement course, OR be at least 19 with 3 years of experience.
- Must successfully pass a motor vehicle report (MVR) check, pre-employment physical, and criminal background check.
- Must capable of operating (or learning) College vehicles including tractor, trucks and boom trucks.
- Must possess a mobile phone for college communication.
- OR a combination of relevant education, training and experience.
Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Trade school training.
- Past experience in standard facility/residential maintenance practices and procedures in an organization with extended hours of operations and multiple high-traffic rental properties.
Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.
WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work environment is outside landscape, inside cleaning and maintenance, both of which may include working in high places. This position may be exposed to dirt, dust and equipment solutions. Work may require periodic use of personal protective equipment (e.g., respirators, arc fault). Physical skill and sustained physical effort may be required for some of the maintenance responsibilities. The job requires moderate strength and agility and typically requires balancing, bending, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping and repetitive motions. Lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds occurs with varied frequency. Evening and weekend work may be required.
BENEFITS
Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Benefit offerings and eligibility described reflect current offerings and may be subject to change in accordance with College policies and plan documents. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.
Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.
403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.
Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.
Tuition Remission - Dependent Children
Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
Employee Assistance Program
Relocation assistance for eligible employees.
Learn more about benefits eligibility here.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES
Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.
APPLICATION REVIEW
Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
START DATE
July 2026
For full application instructions and position description, visit https://whitman.bamboohr.com/careers/461
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