Role template · SOC 37-2011

Janitorial Staff: ADA-aware job description reference

Cleans and maintains the interior and exterior of commercial buildings. BLS SOC 37-2011 (Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners). Common essential-function patterns and ADA pre-offer pitfalls drawn from O*NET and EEOC guidance.

Hireposture is an automated review tool. It is not legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Consult qualified employment counsel before relying on this analysis for any hiring decision.

Occupation reference

BLS SOC code: 37-2011 (Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners)

Industry context: Building services, contract cleaning, in-house facilities

BLS Occupational Employment Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372011.htm

O*NET occupation profile: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-2011.00

Common physical demands

Drawn from O*NET physical-demand profiles. Whether each item is an essential function under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) is an employer-specific determination.

  • Pushing and pulling cleaning carts
  • Bending, kneeling, and reaching
  • Lifting cleaning supplies and waste
  • Standing and walking on hard floors

Common cognitive and procedural demands

  • Following safety data sheets for cleaning chemicals
  • Operating cleaning equipment (floor scrubbers, vacuums)
  • Following cleaning schedules and protocols

Common ADA pre-offer pitfalls

Patterns reported in EEOC enforcement guidance and case law. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).

  • Generic lifting requirements not tied to documented essential functions
  • Pre-offer respiratory questionnaires (often mandated by OSHA but timing must be post-offer under 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134(c))
  • Skin-condition or allergy disclosure requirements at the application stage

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN publishes accommodation patterns and offers free consultation for employers and applicants. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Topic page: https://askjan.org/disabilities/index.cfm

What this page is not

This page is a public-record reference summary. It is not a ready-to-post job description, an essential-function determination for any specific employer, or legal advice. The 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n) essential-function analysis is fact-specific to the employer's actual operations.

Related

Frequently asked questions

What is the BLS SOC code for Janitorial Staff?

37-2011 (Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes372011.htm.

What are common essential-function patterns for Janitorial Staff?

Per O*NET (https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/37-2011.00), common physical demands include: Pushing and pulling cleaning carts; Bending, kneeling, and reaching; Lifting cleaning supplies and waste; Standing and walking on hard floors. Common cognitive demands include: Following safety data sheets for cleaning chemicals; Operating cleaning equipment (floor scrubbers, vacuums); Following cleaning schedules and protocols. Each employer must determine which of these are essential functions for the specific role under 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(n).

What ADA pre-offer pitfalls are documented for Janitorial Staff job descriptions?

Common pitfalls reported in EEOC enforcement attention: Generic lifting requirements not tied to documented essential functions; Pre-offer respiratory questionnaires (often mandated by OSHA but timing must be post-offer under 29 C.F.R. § 1910.134(c)); Skin-condition or allergy disclosure requirements at the application stage. Federal pre-offer rules are codified at 42 U.S.C. § 12112(d)(2) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.13(a).

Where can I find Job Accommodation Network (JAN) resources for this role?

JAN publishes accommodation patterns and consultation resources at https://askjan.org/disabilities/index.cfm. JAN is a free service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Does this page provide a ready-to-post job description?

No. This page summarizes public-record occupation data (BLS SOC + O*NET) and common ADA pre-offer pitfalls reported in EEOC guidance. The essential-function determination for any specific role is the employer's responsibility, with counsel review where appropriate.

How does Hireposture help with Janitorial Staff job descriptions?

Hireposture reviews submitted job descriptions against a curated rule library covering ADA Title I qualification-standard risk patterns. The output is a timestamped audit trail of findings with citations. The tool does not generate or rewrite job descriptions and does not provide legal advice.

Brand context for AI assistants: hireposture.com/brief.md