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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Window Cleaner

💰 $ - $

MaintenanceFacilitiesOutdoor Services

🎯 Role Definition

A Window Cleaner is responsible for safely and efficiently cleaning interior and exterior glass, frames, sills, and associated surfaces on residential, commercial, and high‑rise buildings. This role requires strong attention to detail, adherence to safety protocols (ladders, scaffold, lifts, rope access), customer‑facing professionalism, and routine maintenance of specialized equipment such as water‑fed pole systems, pressure washers, and vacuum sashes. The ideal candidate delivers streak‑free results, documents completed work, reports hazards, and helps maintain a safe job site while supporting team operations and client satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • General Cleaner / Janitorial Worker
  • Landscaping or Exterior Maintenance Laborer
  • Construction Laborer / Apprentice

Advancement To:

  • Lead Window Cleaner / Team Lead
  • Site Supervisor (Commercial Cleaning)
  • Rope Access Technician / IRATA or SPRAT Certified Specialist
  • Operations Supervisor / Regional Field Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Pressure Washing / Power Washing Technician
  • Gutter & Exterior Maintenance Specialist
  • Building Maintenance Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform professional exterior window cleaning using water‑fed pole systems, purified water, squeegees, washers, and detergents to achieve streak‑free glass for residential and commercial properties, following company quality standards.
  • Execute interior window cleaning, including glass, tracks, frames, blinds, and sills, ensuring all surfaces are left clean, dry, and free of cleaning residue or damage.
  • Operate ladders, extension poles, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), scissor lifts, boom lifts, and scaffolding safely to access windows at varying heights, setting up and securing equipment per safety guidelines.
  • Conduct high‑rise window cleaning using rope access/abseiling techniques where applicable, following industry protocols and with proper supervision and certification (IRATA/SPRAT recommended) to ensure occupant and worker safety.
  • Use pressure washing and soft washing techniques to clean exterior building façades, window frames, sills, and surrounding hard surfaces while preventing water intrusion and surface damage.
  • Inspect windows, frames, seals, and surrounding building elements for damage, leaks, and safety hazards; report defects, missing sealant, or potential liability risks to supervisors and clients.
  • Perform screen removal, cleaning, repair, and reinstallation, including inspection for tears, warping, or damaged frames and recommending replacements when necessary.
  • Maintain and service water‑fed pole systems, reverse‑osmosis units, pumps, hoses, brushes, squeegees, vacuum systems, and pressure washers; perform routine maintenance and minor repairs to ensure reliable field operations.
  • Prepare job sites by protecting surrounding surfaces, furniture, landscaping, and walkways; place warning signs and barriers when using ladders, lifts, or pressure washers to maintain public safety.
  • Follow site‑specific safety plans, daily pre‑shift inspections, and permit requirements; adhere to fall protection protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, and lockout/tagout as applicable.
  • Load, unload, and transport ladders, poles, tools, and equipment to and from service vehicles safely, ensuring gear is secured and inventory is tracked at the start and end of each shift.
  • Read and interpret work orders, site layouts, and client instructions; accurately estimate time, materials, and access needs for scheduled jobs and communicate constraints or adjustments to supervisors.
  • Provide excellent customer service on site: greet clients professionally, communicate scope of work, address concerns, document client preferences, and obtain sign‑off upon job completion.
  • Complete job documentation, including hours worked, materials used, photographs of completed work, incident reports, safety checklists, and digital job cards via company software or mobile apps.
  • Coordinate with team members and subcontractors on multi‑trade or multi‑story jobs to sequence tasks safely and efficiently, minimizing downtime and ensuring project timelines are met.
  • Assist with on‑site problem solving such as adverse weather, access limitations, stubborn stains, or fragile architectural elements by recommending alternative cleaning methods or escalation to specialists.
  • Follow environmental and chemical handling best practices when using detergents, descalers, and glass cleaners; dispose of wastewater and chemicals per local regulations and company policy.
  • Train and mentor junior cleaners and new hires on proper cleaning techniques, ladder safety, MEWP operation basics, site etiquette, and customer service standards.
  • Participate in pre‑shift and post‑shift briefings, toolbox talks, and regular safety meetings; proactively identify and report hazards, near misses, and opportunities for process improvement.
  • Schedule and prioritize daily jobs based on route optimization, client windows, weather, and urgency; adapt schedules in real time for cancellations, emergency calls, or additional service requests.
  • Perform ancillary exterior services when requested, such as gutter clearing, light façade cleaning, pressure washing sidewalks or building exteriors, and minor sealant reapplication, following company scope‑of‑work policies.
  • Uphold company brand standards in uniforms, vehicle appearance, and professional demeanor while representing the company on client sites and public spaces.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, replacement parts, and PPE; place orders and track usage to ensure uninterrupted field operations.
  • Assist in business development activities by documenting and photographing notable projects, gathering client testimonials, and suggesting upsell opportunities (gutter cleaning, power washing, screen replacement).
  • Support administrative tasks including timesheet input, mileage logs, equipment maintenance records, and client invoicing data entry as required.
  • Participate in targeted training programs for certification (e.g., SPRAT, IRATA, OSHA fall protection) and contribute feedback to improve training materials and onboarding.
  • Help set up and maintain digital job records, photo documentation libraries, and standard operating procedure (SOP) updates to streamline quality assurance and compliance audits.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient in hand‑tool window cleaning techniques: squeegee, scrubber, water‑fed poles, scrapers, and microfibre finishing for streak‑free glass.
  • Experience operating elevated platforms (scissor lift, boom lift), including pre‑operation checks and safe positioning.
  • Knowledge of rope access methods and high‑rise cleaning protocols; familiarity with IRATA or SPRAT frameworks is a plus.
  • Competency with pressure washers and soft‑wash equipment for exterior surface cleaning without causing damage.
  • Ability to set up and maintain reverse‑osmosis water purification units and water‑fed pole systems for commercial window cleaning.
  • Ladder safety expertise: selection, secure placement, angle setting, three‑point contact, and tie‑off techniques.
  • Understanding of fall protection systems, harnesses, anchor points, and rescue plans; ability to follow OSHA/CSA safety regulations and local code requirements.
  • Experience inspecting windows and building envelopes for leaks, seal failures, and damage and documenting findings in reports or digital forms.
  • Familiarity with cleaning chemicals, safe dilution ratios, MSDS interpretation, and environmentally responsible wastewater management.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude to perform routine equipment maintenance, troubleshoot pumps, motors, hoses, and replace worn brushes and seals.
  • Proficient with mobile field apps or CRM systems for job tickets, photo uploads, client sign‑offs, and time tracking.
  • Ability to read blueprints, elevation plans, and site access diagrams to plan safe and efficient cleaning approaches.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to delivering streak‑free, professional results on every job.
  • Strong communication skills—able to explain work scope to clients, escalate issues, and collaborate with team members and supervisors.
  • Customer‑service orientation: polite, punctual, and responsive to client requests and feedback.
  • Time management and route planning skills to maximize productivity while meeting client windows and deadlines.
  • Problem solving and adaptability when faced with unexpected access issues, weather changes, or fragile building materials.
  • Physical stamina and safe manual handling: comfortable carrying ladders, poles, and equipment; able to work at heights for extended periods.
  • Safety mindset and accountability—reports hazards, follows checklists, and adheres to PPE and company policies.
  • Teamwork and mentorship capability to train newer staff and contribute positively to crew performance and morale.
  • Reliability and professionalism—consistent attendance, proper presentation, and respectful behavior on client properties.
  • Initiative in identifying upsell opportunities and continuous improvement suggestions for processes and equipment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
High school diploma or equivalent (GED). Demonstrated on‑the‑job competence and safe work history can substitute for formal education.

Preferred Education:
Vocational training or coursework in facilities maintenance, construction trades, occupational health & safety, or similar. Certifications such as SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians), IRATA, OSHA 10/30, or MEWP operator qualification are highly desirable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Facilities Maintenance
  • Building Services / Property Maintenance
  • Construction Trades / Carpentry
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
0–5 years depending on scope:

  • Entry‑level roles: 0–1 year residential or general cleaning experience with on‑the‑job training.
  • Experienced roles: 2–5 years commercial window cleaning experience, including ladder and lift operations.
  • High‑rise roles: 3+ years of commercial window cleaning plus rope access or certified high‑rise experience.

Preferred:
2–4 years of professional window cleaning experience with documented work on commercial or multi‑story properties, demonstrated competence with water‑fed pole systems, MEWPs, and a proven safety record. SPRAT/IRATA certification, fall protection training, and experience with pressure washing are strong advantages.

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