Toilet attendant

Toilet attendants clean and maintain toilet facilities in accordance with company standards and policies. They use cleaning equipment to clean mirrors, floors, toilets and sinks. They perform the cleaning activities before, during and after operational service hours. Toilet attendants refill the facility with supplies as needed and maintain records of their daily operations.

The duties of a toilet attendant include, but are not limited to:

• Sweeping, vacuuming, dust mopping and damp mopping
• Cleaning of toilets and bathrooms, sinks, taps and mirrors
• Replenishing of soap, towels and toilet rolls
• Emptying rubbish bins and replacement of bin lines

Toilet attendants usually work indoors when cleaning. They rarely work outdoors, unless the toilets are located outdoors. They may work part time or full time, on established schedules. They may work days, evenings, or weekends, depending on the facility opening time.

Toilet attendants are regularly exposed to contaminants and diseases or infections. They work with cleaning chemicals and clean soiled items. They often have to deal with unpleasant guests.

The following job titles also refer to toilet attendant:

rest room cleaner
powder room attendant
lavatory attendant
restroom cleaner
washroom attendant
restroom attendant

No formal educational credential is required to work as toilet attendant.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Toilet attendant is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to toilet attendant.

train cleaner
locker room attendant
window cleaner
swimming facility attendant
cloak room attendant

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of toilet attendant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of toilet attendant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

amusement park cleaner
pest management worker
beauty salon attendant
snow-clearing worker
building exterior cleaner

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of toilet attendant.

• Cleaning industry health and safety measures: Preventive and interventional methods used in the cleaning industry to maintain health and safety for all workers and tertiary persons.
• Personal protective equipment: Types of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.

These skills are necessary for the role of toilet attendant.

• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies: Follow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.
• Inform on toilet facilities malfunctions: Report to the concerned services when the toilet is not functioning properly or when related equipment is broken and post “out of order” sign on the respective cubicles.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the toilet facilities: Clean the toilets and wipe the sinks, mirrors and cubicle furniture according to the required standards, providing special attention to details.
• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Maintain cleaning equipment: Clean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.
• Complete report sheets of activity: Keep written records of the service provided on a regular or punctual basis, with explicit hours of work performed and signature.
• Restock toilet facilities’ supplies: Make sure that toilet supplies such as soap and toilet paper are always available for customer use.
• Manage routine waste: Treat routine waste carefully when performing cleaning activities and ensure that the waste collection and surrounding areas are maintained clean at all times.
• Clean glass surfaces: Use cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of toilet attendant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Greet guests: Welcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.
• Collect fees for toilet usage: Collect the amount of money foreseen for the public use of toilets and grant access to them after payment.
• Report on customers’ complaints related to toilet facilities: Inform supervisors of the customer’s complaints related to the toilet facilities and cleanliness and take remedy measures.
• Perform cleaning activities in an environmentally friendly way: Undertake all cleaning duties in a manner which minimises environmental damage, follow methods that lessen pollution and wastage of resources.
• Handle chemical cleaning agents: Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
• Clean public areas: Disinfect the areas to which the public has access.
• Maintain professional administration: File and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.
• Supervise the work of cleaning staff: Coordinate the work of staff in the cleaning areas by planning and monitoring the work of cleaning staff and giving feedback on their activity.
• Follow organisational guidelines in the cleaning industry: Apply and follow all protocols or guidelines described by the company within your specific cleaning area. It can also involve wearing the foreseen uniform or piece of clothing at all times or using specific equipment or materials.

9112 – Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels and other establishments

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References

1. ESCO
2. Job Description for a Lobby Attendant – CareerTrend
3. Featured image: By Gennady Grachev from Moscow, Russia – VDNH 109, CC BY 2.0