Housekeeping Job Description Guide for Employers

Overview

A housekeeping job description explains the role, duties, skills, schedule, and standards expected of a housekeeper across settings such as hotels, hospitals (EVS), private homes, cruise ships, and offices. Employers use it to align hiring, training, and performance. Candidates use it to gauge fit, workload, and pay.

Typical housekeeping duties include:

• Clean and sanitize rooms, restrooms, and common areas
• Make beds; change, launder, and restock linens
• Replenish amenities and supplies; restock carts/closets
• Handle trash, recycling, and biohazard waste per policy
• Use chemicals and equipment safely; follow checklists
• Report maintenance issues, inventory needs, and incidents

What a housekeeping job description should include

A strong housekeeping job description starts with a short role summary. Name the setting (hotel, hospital, residential, office), the pace, and the purpose. This helps candidates self‑qualify and reduces mismatched applications.

Next, list the core responsibilities that define success on shift. Applicants should understand the day‑to‑day work and quality targets.

Include clear requirements and qualifications. Cover work eligibility, physical demands, and shift expectations. Add the skills and traits that differentiate top performers, such as attention to detail, service mindset, and time management.

Spell out the schedule, reporting lines, and any productivity standards. This avoids surprises at onboarding. If applicable, indicate background checks, vaccination or health screenings (for healthcare), or live‑in/live‑out details (for private homes).

Round out the posting with pay and benefits. Include base rate, overtime eligibility, shift differentials, and tips or service charge policies. Add a brief compliance statement on PPE, chemical handling, and incident reporting, plus an EEO or fair‑chance hiring note. Clarity here improves applicant quality and makes performance management easier during probation.

Housekeeping job description template (copy and adapt)

Use this concise, ad‑ready template and replace bracketed text with your details.

Job title: Housekeeper
Location: [City, Site/Property Name]
Schedule: [Days/Hours; weekend/holiday rotation; overtime eligibility]
Reports to: [Supervisor/Manager Title]

About the role
[Company/Property] is hiring a Housekeeper to keep [rooms/units/floors/areas] clean, comfortable, and safe. You’ll complete daily checklists, meet quality and turnaround standards, and provide friendly service to [guests/patients/residents/staff]. Training is provided. Experience in [hotel/EVS/residential/facilities] is a plus.

Responsibilities include:

• Clean and sanitize [rooms/areas] per checklist: surfaces, bathrooms, floors, and high‑touch points
• Make beds; change and launder linens; restock towels, amenities, and supplies
• Handle trash and recycling; follow any biohazard procedures as trained
• Restock carts/closets; label and store chemicals correctly; care for equipment
• Report maintenance issues, inventory needs, and lost‑and‑found items promptly
• Follow safety procedures, PPE use, and incident reporting; protect privacy and confidentiality
• Provide courteous service and coordinate with [front desk/nursing/household/facilities] as needed

Requirements
Eligible to work. Able to lift [X lbs] and stand or walk for [X hours], with bending and reaching. Reliable attendance and weekend or holiday rotation. Basic English and comfort with a smartphone or work‑order app. Prior housekeeping or cleaning experience preferred. Healthcare roles may require vaccinations or health screens. Pay range: [X–Y/hour] plus [benefits/differentials/tips] based on experience and shift.

Duties and responsibilities

Housekeepers keep spaces clean, orderly, and safe by following standard procedures and checklists. Tasks match the setting. Daily work blends room turns, bathroom and floor care, linen handling, supply restocking, and accurate reporting.

Many employers track turnaround time, inspection scores, and response SLAs. These metrics help align staffing with demand.

Use clear, setting‑specific wording. Name the highest‑risk tasks, such as sharps or isolation rooms. Make training and PPE needs explicit.

Keep the list focused on what the role does on most shifts. Avoid listing everything the department could do.

• Cleaning/maintenance: room/area turns, surfaces, bathrooms, floors, trash; report repairs
• Laundry/linens: sort, launder, treat stains, fold/press, rotate stock, track par levels
• Supplies/equipment: restock carts/closets, label chemicals, check Safety Data Sheets (SDS), light upkeep
• Reporting/compliance: work orders, incident and lost‑and‑found logs, PPE, safety checks
• Guest/resident service: respond to requests, protect privacy, coordinate with teammates

Cleaning and maintenance

Scope typically includes full room or area turns. It also includes sanitizing high‑touch surfaces, bathroom deep cleans, and floor care matched to the surface.

In hotels, stayovers get a lighter touch than checkout cleans. In facilities, nightly routes cover assigned zones with defined tasks. Quality is measured through inspections and turnaround times. Targets should be realistic for room type and staffing.

Laundry and linen care

Tasks include sorting by color or fabric and loading machines correctly. Measure detergents, treat stains, and use proper temperatures and cycles.

Pressing, folding, and par rotation maintain presentation and inventory health. Reading care labels prevents damage to specialty textiles. In residential and luxury settings, garment care and wardrobe organization may be part of the scope.

Supplies and equipment

Housekeepers restock guest amenities, paper goods, and cleaning products. They keep carts and closets organized so work starts efficiently.

Chemicals must be labeled, stored safely, and mixed per manufacturer instructions. Safety Data Sheets should be accessible to staff. Basic equipment care, like emptying vacuums and checking cords or filters, reduces downtime and flags maintenance issues early.

Reporting, safety, and compliance

Accurate logs support security and safety. Record lost‑and‑found items, submit maintenance tickets for hazards, and file incident reports promptly.

When exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials may occur, OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires training and PPE (https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens). This applies in healthcare and certain residential tasks.

Environmental services teams should align with CDC environmental cleaning guidance for healthcare settings (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/index.html). Evidence‑based practices protect staff and the public.

Customer service and teamwork

A service mindset shows in how housekeepers greet guests and protect privacy. Resolve simple requests on the spot when possible.

Coordination is essential with front desk, nursing, household managers, or facilities. Prioritize rooms, confirm special instructions, and escalate issues. Clear handoffs and respectful communication keep the operation smooth during peak times.

Setting-specific variations you can plug into the JD

Adjust the JD to reflect your environment’s products, standards, pace, and sensitivities. Copy and adapt the paragraphs below into your responsibilities or summary section to make expectations clear.

Hotel and resort housekeeping

Housekeepers complete stayover services and checkout cleans to brand standards. They meet room‑turn productivity targets, such as light stayovers versus full checkout turns.

Duties include resetting amenities and verifying minibar or room collateral. Teams prioritize rush rooms based on occupancy and arrivals. Service recovery, guest privacy, and swift coordination with front desk and maintenance are daily norms.

Hospital and healthcare EVS

EVS Technicians clean patient rooms and clinical areas using evidence‑based protocols. Follow required dwell times for disinfectants.

Use EPA List N disinfectants that meet criteria for use against SARS‑CoV‑2 (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2). Follow isolation signage and handle regulated medical waste per policy. Training aligns with CDC environmental cleaning guidance to protect patients, visitors, and staff.

Residential/private homes

Private housekeepers maintain household standards across rooms, kitchens, and wardrobes. Many teams use a household manual and checklists.

Tasks may include fine surface care, wardrobe and laundry management, vendor coordination, and pet‑related cleaning. UHNW households require high discretion. Teams may use 5S organization (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) to streamline storage and workflow (https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/lean-101/5s).

Cruise ships and maritime

Stateroom and public‑area housekeeping follows shipboard sanitation procedures. Expect rapid turnarounds and stringent documentation.

The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (USPH) standards and inspections apply on vessels calling on U.S. ports (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm). JDs should reference USPH compliance, potable water and ice handling rules, and outbreak response protocols.

Offices and facilities

Facility housekeepers and janitors clean entrances, restrooms, breakrooms, and office areas. Work often happens after hours with badge access and security protocols.

Duties emphasize trash and recycling routes, floor care, and touchpoint disinfection. Work‑order responses cover spills or restocks. Coordination with facilities and maintenance ensures quick resolution of hazards and minimal tenant disruption.

Qualifications, requirements, and skills

Set the bar clearly. Distinguish must‑haves from nice‑to‑haves so candidates know whether to apply.

Name physical demands, shift expectations, and any screening requirements early. Keep the skills section tight and relevant to everyday work.

Qualifications and requirements

Most housekeeper roles require work eligibility and reliable attendance. Many are entry‑level with on‑the‑job training.

Specify the ability to lift specific weights. Note standing and walking for extended periods, bending, and reaching. State weekend, holiday, or overnight work as needed.

Healthcare and some residential employers may require background checks, vaccinations, TB screening, or driving records. Experience with housekeeping or cleaning is preferred. Comfort using basic tech, such as work‑order apps and timekeeping, is increasingly standard.

Skills and traits

Successful housekeepers show strong attention to detail, consistent pace, and pride in presentation. They balance speed with quality.

Time management and checklist discipline enable on‑time room turns and complete routes. A service mindset, confidentiality, and clear communication help when interacting with guests, patients, or household staff. Basic problem‑solving, such as spotting a safety hazard or choosing the right product for a surface, builds trust and reduces rework.

Work hours, shifts, and productivity expectations

Housekeeping teams typically run day, evening, and overnight shifts. Weekend and holiday rotations match occupancy or building schedules.

Hotels and cruise lines align labor to arrivals and departures. Offices and facilities often clean after hours. Hospitals and residential homes operate around the clock.

State your typical shift windows and how schedules are posted. This prevents misalignment.

Productivity targets should match room types and staffing. Hotels may set different goals for stayover versus checkout rooms. EVS teams use task‑based minute standards by room class.

Present goals as ranges during onboarding. Reinforce that quality and safety come first. Explain that targets adjust for special requests, deep cleans, or isolation rooms.

During the first 30–60 days, use ride‑alongs, checklists, and inspection scores. Train to standard before holding employees to full productivity.

Pay, benefits, and job outlook

Provide a realistic pay range and note benefits. Include tips or service charges, if any, and differentials for evenings, nights, or hard‑to‑fill shifts.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners under SOC 37‑2012. Most workers receive short‑term on‑the‑job training (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/building-and-grounds-cleaning/maids-and-housekeeping-cleaners.htm).

Be clear about overtime eligibility and minimum wage compliance under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa).

In competitive markets, total compensation can include health benefits and transit subsidies. It can also include meals, uniforms, laundry allowances, or lodging for live‑in roles. Briefly mention advancement opportunities, such as housekeeping supervisor, executive housekeeper, or EVS manager, to attract career‑minded applicants.

Compliance language to include (make safety explicit)

Make safety clear and reusable across postings by adding short, practical statements to your JD.

For example: “This role uses cleaning chemicals and equipment daily. Employer provides required PPE, training, and Safety Data Sheets; employees must follow label instructions and site procedures.”

For healthcare or any setting with potential exposure: “When assigned to areas with potential bloodborne exposure, training and PPE will be provided consistent with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030.”

Include infection prevention language where appropriate: “Environmental cleaning and disinfection follow CDC guidance for [healthcare/non‑healthcare] settings, including product dwell times and high‑touch surface protocols.”

Reference product standards for clarity: “Disinfectants used are selected from EPA List N for efficacy against relevant pathogens and are used according to manufacturer instructions” (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2).

Close with a concise EEO and fair‑chance hiring statement (EEOC employer guidance: https://www.eeoc.gov/employers): “We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records consistent with applicable law.”

Career paths and related titles

Clear growth paths help candidates see a future with your team. They also improve retention.

Use titles your job board supports so applicants find you under common searches like “housekeeper job description” or “executive housekeeper job description.”

• Housekeeper → Senior Housekeeper → Housekeeping Supervisor → Executive Housekeeper
• EVS Technician → Lead EVS → EVS Supervisor → EVS/Housekeeping Manager
• Director of Housekeeping → Facilities/Operations Manager
• Residential Housekeeper → Head Housekeeper → Household/Estate Manager
• Related titles: Room Attendant, Cleaner, Janitor, Laundry Attendant, Custodian

A short note in your posting about training and promotion timelines can boost applicant quality and commitment.

Interview prompts aligned to the job description

Use prompts that mirror your JD to validate skills, pace, service mindset, and safety habits. Ask for specific examples and what the candidate would do differently next time. This helps gauge learning and accountability.

• Walk me through your process for turning a checkout room versus a stayover. How do you balance speed and quality?
• Describe how you handle an isolation room or high‑risk clean. Which PPE and disinfectants do you use, and why?
• Tell me about a time you found a maintenance issue during cleaning. How did you document and escalate it?
• How do you organize your cart/closet at the start of shift to hit productivity targets?
• Share a time you handled a guest/patient request or complaint on the spot. What was the outcome?
• When you encounter an unfamiliar stain or delicate fabric, how do you decide on the right product and method?
• Give an example of working a weekend/holiday or overnight rotation. What kept you reliable and on pace?
• How do you use a work‑order or timekeeping app during your shift, and what challenges have you solved with it?

After the interview, align feedback to your JD sections. Focus on responsibilities, safety, service, and productivity to keep hiring decisions objective.

FAQs

What is the difference between a housekeeping job description and a janitorial job description?
Housekeeping focuses on room or area presentation, amenities, linens, and guest or resident experience. Work often takes place inside occupied spaces. Janitorial roles lean toward building routes, restrooms, trash or recycling, and floor care in offices or public spaces. There is less emphasis on amenities and more on facility upkeep.

Which compliance statements should a hospital housekeeping job description include?
Reference PPE and training under OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Include CDC environmental cleaning guidance for healthcare and the use of EPA List N disinfectants with proper dwell times. Add language on isolation precautions, regulated medical waste handling, and vaccination or health screening requirements where applicable.

How should productivity targets be presented without deterring applicants?
State ranges and context, such as different targets for stayovers versus checkouts or room classes. Emphasize quality and safety first. Explain that new hires ramp to full targets after training and coaching. This signals standards while showing support.

What items belong in a residential (private home) housekeeper JD that do not apply to hotels?
Household manuals and checklists. Wardrobe and garment care. Fine surface and artwork handling. Pet care standards. Vendor coordination. Driving or errand support. High discretion and confidentiality for principals.

How do live‑in versus live‑out arrangements change duties and scheduling?
Live‑in roles may include early or late coverage and occasional on‑call support. Duties may tie to household rhythms, such as school runs or events. Lodging can be part of compensation. Live‑out roles keep clearer shift boundaries and commute expectations. Overtime is handled under standard payroll rules.

What KPIs and inspection criteria align best with a housekeeping job description?
Common KPIs include room or area turns per shift by type, inspection scores, and first‑time pass rate. Response time to requests or work orders and inventory accuracy for linens and supplies are also common. Supervisors can pair these with periodic quality audits and safety observations.

How should pay, overtime, and shift differentials be described to remain compliant with FLSA?
State an hourly base range and confirm nonexempt overtime eligibility. Note time‑and‑a‑half for hours over 40 in a workweek unless a stricter state rule applies. Specify any evening, night, or weekend differentials. Include service charges or tips and how they’re paid. Link to FLSA basics for transparency and consistency.

What training or certifications add credibility for hospital or long‑term care roles?
Highlight employer‑provided EVS onboarding, OSHA bloodborne pathogens training, and product‑specific disinfection training. Prior experience with CDC isolation protocols, AHE training, or similar EVS coursework can signal readiness for healthcare environments.

How do you tailor a housekeeping job description for small offices versus multi‑tenant facilities?
Small offices benefit from multi‑task scope, including restrooms, breakrooms, and light resets. Include keyholder and security notes. Multi‑tenant sites need badge access rules, route maps, work‑order SLAs, and coordination with facilities for escalations and inspections.

What should an EEO statement look like in a housekeeping job description?
Keep it concise and inclusive: “We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.”

How do USPH requirements affect a cruise ship housekeeping job description?
USPH standards drive specific cleaning, disinfection, water and ice handling, documentation, and outbreak response protocols. The JD should reference USPH compliance, routine inspections, recordkeeping, and training expectations tied to the Vessel Sanitation Program.