The different types of building superintendent jobs are largely broken down into the types of buildings that the superintendent manages. Superintendents may work in industrial, commercial, or residential buildings and the duties for each of these types of building superintendent jobs are different depending on the needs of the building. For the most part, superintendents are responsible for maintenance and for making sure that tenants or businesses comply with rules and pay rents on time.
In an industrial building, one of the primary responsibilities of the superintendent is to make sure that the building remains in compliance with local codes. This person will also often ensure that the work done in the building complies with both the laws in the area and the codes that the company has set out. The job may also entail some minor repairs or the management of outside contractors who are brought in to take care of more difficult jobs. Though not every industrial building will have a superintendent, industrial building superintendent jobs are not uncommon in many different industries.
Commercial buildings often come with building superintendent jobs as well. These superintendents usually act as a middleman between the commercial businesses within a building and the property manager that may be physically distant from the site. The superintendent may be in charge of collecting rent and checking up on businesses to make sure they are complying with local laws and the rules of the building. These building superintendent jobs also include maintaining the buildings or calling in and managing outside contractors when they are needed.
Building superintendent jobs in residential buildings are often similar to those in commercial buildings. These superintendents may keep the building and the units in good repair and may be in charge of collecting rent from tenants, though tenants will also often pay the property manager directly. In a residential building, the superintendent often lives in one of the units in order to be more readily available to the tenants in case emergencies, such as water leaks or broken heaters, arise. In exchange for these types of services, the superintendent of a residential building will often pay reduced or no rent either in addition to or in lieu of a salary, depending on the size of the building.
Qualifying for building superintendent jobs often requires some college education and a great deal of knowledge in general repairs. Knowledge of plumbing, electricity, architecture, and heating and ventilation are also desirable. These jobs may vary considerably from company to company depending on the needs and expectations of the building owner or property manager.