Maintenance Technician

Maintenance Technician

Meritus Property Group is seeking a dependable, skilled, and service-oriented Maintenance Technician to join our team at The Opal Apartments, a modern, 54-unit affordable senior housing community located in Portland's Cedar Mill neighborhood.

Built in 2024, The Opal is a four-story residential community offering one- and two-bedroom apartment homes for adults ages 55 and older. The property includes affordable housing supported by Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and project-based rental assistance through the Housing Authority of Washington County.

The Opal is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming community, including serving LGBTQ+ older adults in partnership with Friendly House Elder Pride Services.

The community features controlled building access, an elevator, a courtyard, two community rooms, resident services offices, a spacious lobby, accessible living spaces, and modern apartment finishes and appliances.

We are looking for someone who takes genuine pride in their work, cares about residents, notices the little things, and enjoys keeping a community operating at its best.

The Maintenance Technician is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, cleanliness, safety, functionality, and overall physical condition of The Opal Apartments.

This is a hands-on, multifaceted position that combines residential maintenance, apartment turnovers, preventive maintenance, janitorial services, groundskeeping, and general building care.

The ideal candidate is a resourceful problem-solver who is equally comfortable troubleshooting a plumbing issue, repairing drywall, preparing a vacant apartment for move-in, or ensuring that the lobby and common areas are spotless.

Because The Opal serves older adults, we place particular importance on reliability, timely maintenance service, patience, professionalism, and respect for residents' homes and individual needs.

This position requires someone who can independently organize their daily workload, identify maintenance concerns before they become larger problems, and consistently maintain the property to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

1. Resident Maintenance & Service Requests

• Respond promptly, professionally, and courteously to resident maintenance requests.

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and complete routine apartment repairs involving plumbing, electrical fixtures, appliances, heating and cooling equipment, hardware, and other residential systems within the technician's training and authorization.

• Repair or replace faucets, toilets, drains, supply lines, garbage disposals where installed, and other plumbing fixtures.

• Diagnose and address minor electrical issues, including replacing light fixtures, switches, outlets, and other components when permitted by applicable licensing requirements.

• Troubleshoot refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and other apartment appliances; complete appropriate minor repairs or coordinate service when necessary.

• Perform minor carpentry, door adjustments, lock repairs, cabinet repairs, shelving installation, and hardware replacement.

• Patch drywall, repair wall damage, perform touch-up painting, and maintain interior finishes.

• Investigate water leaks, moisture issues, unusual odors, and other building concerns; take appropriate immediate action and promptly escalate conditions requiring specialized repairs.

• Maintain and repair accessible features, including door hardware, handrails, and other fixtures important to residents' mobility and safety.

• Communicate clearly with residents regarding maintenance concerns, anticipated repairs, and work completion.

• Respect residents' privacy, dignity, and personal property while working inside occupied apartments.

• Accurately document work orders, labor, materials, photographs, and completed repairs in the company's maintenance management system.

2. Apartment Turnovers & Make-Ready Maintenance

Take ownership of preparing vacant apartments for incoming residents, ensuring every home is clean, safe, functional, and move-in ready.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct thorough move-out inspections and identify maintenance, cleaning, and replacement needs.

• Complete apartment turnover repairs efficiently while maintaining workmanship and appearance standards.

• Patch and paint walls, doors, trim, and other painted surfaces as needed.

• Repair or replace damaged flooring components, baseboards, cabinet hardware, window coverings, and minor interior finishes.

• Inspect, clean, and test appliances, plumbing fixtures, electrical fixtures, and heating/cooling systems.

• Adjust and repair doors, cabinets, drawers, locks, and windows.

• Replace light bulbs, filters, batteries, and other consumable maintenance items.

• Perform detailed cleaning of vacant apartments, including kitchens, bathrooms, appliances, cabinets, floors, windows, fixtures, and interior surfaces.

• Address odors, stains, minor damage, and cosmetic deficiencies.

• Verify that smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, locks, and other safety components are operational.

• Complete final inspections and correct outstanding items before move-in.

• Coordinate with the Property Manager to ensure apartment turnovers are completed on schedule and meet company standards.

The successful candidate must be willing and capable of completing both the maintenance and cleaning portions of apartment turnovers.

3. Daily Property Cleaning & Janitorial Services

Maintain a consistently clean, attractive, and welcoming environment throughout The Opal.

• Perform routine cleaning of the lobby, entryways, hallways, stairwells, elevator interior, and shared spaces.

• Clean and maintain both community rooms, including surfaces, floors, furniture, and common-use areas.

• Clean shared restrooms, glass doors, windows, railings, and frequently touched surfaces.

• Vacuum, sweep, mop, dust, spot-clean, and sanitize common areas as necessary.

• Maintain cleanliness of designated resident service spaces and offices as scheduled and authorized.

• Remove litter, trash, debris, and other unsightly materials from the building and grounds.

• Clean and maintain trash and recycling collection areas, including addressing spills, odors, and debris.

• Remove cobwebs, dust accumulation, wall marks, and other visible deficiencies.

• Maintain entry mats and keep building entrances clean and free of slipping hazards.

• Support cleaning before and after resident events and community activities when needed.

• Complete periodic deep cleaning, including baseboards, vents, interior glass, and other high-traffic surfaces.

• Immediately address spills and unsafe conditions.

• Monitor janitorial supplies and ensure equipment and materials are properly maintained and stored.

Daily cleanliness is an essential responsibility of this position, not an occasional or secondary assignment.

4. Building Systems & Preventive Maintenance

Protect the condition and long-term performance of The Opal's modern building systems and infrastructure.

• Complete assigned preventive maintenance inspections and scheduled service tasks.

• Inspect heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment; replace filters and perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance.

• Monitor plumbing systems, drains, fixtures, and water-related concerns.

• Inspect lighting, electrical fixtures, doors, locks, and hardware throughout the property.

• Monitor elevator condition and functionality, promptly report irregularities, and coordinate with authorized elevator service providers.

• Inspect controlled-access doors, entry hardware, and building security equipment for visible deficiencies.

• Perform visual checks of emergency lighting, alarms, fire extinguishers, and applicable fire/life-safety equipment; report deficiencies and coordinate required professional servicing.

• Maintain accessible routes, common-area handrails, and other safety-related building features.

• Identify signs of leaks, water intrusion, mold, pests, unusual equipment operation, or premature building deterioration.

• Assist with preventive maintenance of roofs, gutters, drains, exterior surfaces, and other building components where safely accessible.

• Coordinate vendor access for specialized repairs, inspections, and warranty work.

• Assist with maintaining manufacturer warranties, service records, and equipment documentation.

• Report significant building concerns, deferred maintenance, and potential capital repairs to management.

Specialized electrical, mechanical, elevator, and other regulated work must be completed by properly qualified or licensed professionals when required.

5. Groundskeeping & Exterior Property Care

• Maintain a clean, orderly, and attractive building exterior and surrounding grounds.

• Sweep and blow walkways, entry areas, sidewalks, and other hardscape surfaces.

• Remove litter, leaves, weeds, and accumulated debris.

• Perform light landscaping tasks, including mowing, edging, trimming, and basic vegetation maintenance as assigned.

• Keep vegetation away from building walls, windows, equipment, and access pathways.

• Monitor