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Institutional Housekeepers supervise the work activities of cleaning personnel to ensure clean, orderly, and attractive conditions for public establishments such as hotels, motels, hospitals, long-term care, and educational facilities.

JOB DUTIES

Institutional Housekeepers may:

Issue supplies and equipment to personnel

Plan work schedules to ensure adequate service

Assign duties and inspect the work performed

Take inventory of supplies and equipment

Inspect and evaluate physical conditions of the establishment

Investigate complaints about housekeeping service and equipment and take corrective action

Make recommendations to management for repairs and remodeling

Hire and train new employees

Write activity and personnel reports

Make recommendations on employee dismissals, transfers and promotions

Tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Institutional Housekeepers may specialize in these areas:

321.137-010 HOUSEKEEPERS supervise work activities of cleaning staff to ensure clean, orderly, and attractive rooms in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, or related establishments.

321.137-014 INSPECTORS inspect the conditions of hotel guestrooms, bathrooms, corridors, and lobbies and examine the carpeting, drapes, and furniture for stains, damage, or wear. They also address guest complaints regarding housekeeping services or equipment and monitor linen and cleaning supplies.

323.137-010 HOUSECLEANER SUPERVISORS oversee and coordinate the activities of personnel preparing establishment facilities for banquets and conventions. They supervise the collection, assembly, and arrangements of articles for such facilities and assure completeness for the particular occasion.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Institutional Housekeepers may supervise a number of employees depending on the size and type of the establishment. They usually directly supervise housekeeping workers such as cleaners, inventory clerks, or banquet/dining room set-up staff. They work in clean, well ventilated, well-heated buildings. They may have their own offices, but they spend much time on their feet visiting various rooms in the establishment.

The work of Institutional Housekeepers is generally stable and year-round. However, seasonal pressures may affect their work in resort areas and in college dormitories.

Institutional Housekeepers generally work a 40-hour week. They may rotate weekends and holidays. Institutional Housekeepers employed by resort hotels or motels might have to work overtime during tourist season.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities resulting in esteem from others

You Should Be Able To:

• Deal with people in actual job duties

• Give and receive instructions

• Work well with others

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

• Perform a variety of duties that require frequent change

• Evaluate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Analyze procedures and determine how they might be improved

• Keep records and prepare reports

• Implement safety and sanitation regulations

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Bill works on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Nancy works on Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM - 4:00 AM. Fred works Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. This schedule is for the month of May. For the month of May, calculate the number of hours that you have someone working so that you can prepare a schedule indicating what work has to be done and when.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Various types of cleaning agents such as, ammonia, glycerin, enzyme detergent, acetone, amyl, acetate, peroxygen bleach, and their uses.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a personnel report for an employee who is being transferred to another department.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Analytical skills in assessing areas to be cleaned and inspecting cleaned areas.

Passing a civil service examination may be necessary for employment in government establishments.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

078 HOME ECONOMICS

Programs in Home Economics provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills in such areas as general home economics, consumer economics and home management, home decoration and equipment, clothing and textiles, family relations and child development, foods and nutrition, institution administration, child care and guidance, and geriatric care. Individuals who teach Home Economics at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

080 HOTEL & MOTEL MANAGEMENT

Programs in Hotel and Motel Management provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage housing, housekeeping and food operations in institutions such as hotels, hospitals, resorts, clubs, recreation centers, and retirement complexes. Programs usually provide a broad general education, strong management and problem solving orientation balanced with technical skills. These skills are essential for career progression to upper management positions in the hospitality professions.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

 ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although this occupation has apprenticeship programs available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs  

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time and summer work in lower-level housekeeping jobs may be available in hospitals, hotels, resorts, and summer camps. Postsecondary programs in home economics and hotel and motel management may offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Institutional Housekeeper employer

internships

volunteer work with an Institutional Housekeeper employer

community service work with an agency

Methods of becoming an Institutional Housekeeper include applying directly to hotels, motels, hospitals, nursing homes, college personnel offices, schools, and clubs. To find a job in a government facility, apply to a civil service office. For assistance, contact your school placement office or a local office of the Michigan Works!. Newspaper want ads might have helpful information. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )

Yahoo! Careers ( http://careers.yahoo.com/ )

Classifieds Employment ( http://www.classifieds2000.com )

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org/ )

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Institutional Housekeepers vary with the establishment's size and location plus the worker's responsibilities, experience, and abilities.

Nationally, cleaning supervisors' median annual earnings were $23,088 in 2001. Most earned between $13,000 and $39,000.  The median yearly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $31,044 in 2001.   

Hourly earnings for Housekeeping Supervisors working in Michigan hospitals in 2001 were:

Hourly wages earned by Housekeeping Supervisors employed by the State of Michigan ranged between $13.24 and $23.41 in mid 2002.

Most Institutional Housekeepers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; sick pay; and retirement plans. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers. Additionally, some employers provide uniforms and laundry service.

Experienced housekeeping workers with supervisory abilities may be promoted to Housekeeping Supervisors. Some Supervisors with exceptional ability or additional education may become executive housekeepers (administrator of the entire housekeeping department). A career ladder for an Institutional Housekeeper may look like this: cleaner; Institutional Housekeeper; assistant executive housekeeper; executive housekeeper.

Advancement depends on ability, experience, education, and supervisory skills. Opportunities are usually better for individuals with education in institutional management.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 216,200 Institutional Housekeepers employed in 2000. Employment of Institutional Housekeepers is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010.. The industry distribution for Institutional Housekeepers looked like this:  

Most of the expected employment growth will occur from the need to staff new hotels and motels and hospitals and other medical facilities. In addition to openings arising from growth, many openings are expected each year as Housekeepers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

There are about 3,100 Institutional Housekeepers employed in Michigan.  

Employment of Institutional Housekeepers in Michigan is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2008. An average of 90 job openings is expected annually, with 20 due to growth and 70 to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as Housekeepers change jobs or occupations.

More leisure time and higher personal incomes may increase the volume of travel and the need for new hotels and motels. The greater emphasis on welfare programs, hospital care, and higher education will influence the building of new institutional residential buildings, hospitals, and college dormitories. These factors may create job opportunities for Institutional Housekeepers in Michigan. Beginners will find the best opportunities in newly built establishments.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008  

  EMPLOYMENT                  NUMBER        PERCENT    PROJECTED YEARLY

  REGION                              EMPLOYED   GROWTH    JOB OPENINGS

   Ann Arbor Area                   180                   8.8               6

  Battle Creek Area                   35                   5.7               1

  Benton Harbor Area                55                 -5.7               1

  Central Michigan                     75                  12.3              3

  Detroit MSA                          1,390              1.7               34

  East Central Michigan              25                 11.5              1

  Flint Area                                95                 6.5                3

  Grand Rapids Area                 250               6.4                8

  Jackson Area                           55               10.7               2

  Kalamazoo Area                      60               10.3               2

  Lansing MSA                          125              17.5               5

  Muskegon Area                        45                2.2               1

  Northeast Lower Peninsula       65                3.1                1

  Northwest Lower Peninsula     160               8.1                5

  Saginaw MSA                         190             15.7                7

  Thumb Area                              45             -2.2                1

  Upper Peninsula                       135              7.4                4

  West Central Michigan              25             23.1                2  

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area  

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development