Floating Maintenance Technician (Barrington Park & Fairfax Square)

Maintenance work is fundamentally a people skill dressed in a tool belt. You're solving problems under time pressure, communicating with residents who may be frustrated, coordinating with vendors who need clear direction, and keeping two property teams informed simultaneously. That's the real job description for a Floating Maintenance Technician at Van Metre, splitting time between Barrington Park Apartments in Manassas and Fairfax Square Apartments in Fairfax.

The Skills This Role Relies On

The technical side matters, of course. You'll need hands-on experience with appliance repair, plumbing, electrical work, and a working knowledge of HVAC and electrical circuitry. EPA certification is preferred, and you should already be current on OSHA and general building safety standards. Bringing your own basic tools is expected.

But the skill that separates a good floating tech from a great one is adaptability. Monday through Wednesday you're at Barrington Park; Thursday and Friday you're at Fairfax Square. Each property has its own Service Manager, its own quirks, its own recurring issues, and its own residents. You don't get the luxury of one routine. You have to read a new environment quickly, pick up where things left off, and build enough trust with two separate teams that communication stays tight even when you're not on site.

What You'll Be Doing Day to Day

Daily property walks to catch curb appeal issues and flag safety concerns before they become liability problems. Service requests from residents, handled with urgency and genuine follow-through. Unit turns on vacant apartments, preventative maintenance scheduling, janitorial support, and help managing inventory and supply levels across both properties. You'll document completed work accurately and communicate anything that needs escalation to the Service Manager or Property Manager at each site.

After-hours emergency coverage is part of the role. That's worth saying plainly. When something goes wrong at 11pm, this team needs people it can count on.

• 1 to 2 years of maintenance experience, or equivalent hands-on training
• EPA certification preferred
• Solid working knowledge of appliance, electrical, and plumbing repair
• Basic HVAC and electrical circuitry knowledge
• Current on OSHA and building safety standards
• Valid driver's license required
• Own basic tools and know how to use them safely
• Weekend availability required

What Van Metre Brings to the Table

Van Metre has been building and managing properties in the Washington, D.C. area since 1955. That history shows in how they structure their teams and invest in the people doing the hands-on work. Compensation for this role runs $21 to $23 per hour depending on experience, with an annual bonus potential of $5,000 paid out quarterly. There's also a meaningful benefits package: medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company-matched 401(k), generous paid time off (including your birthday and an annual physical day), tuition reimbursement, and a $900 annual wellness reimbursement. Company-paid certifications and a mentoring program mean there's a real path forward if you want to grow toward a Service Manager or lead technician role.

If you want one property, one routine, and minimal coordination overhead, this probably isn't the right fit. But if you thrive when you're trusted across multiple sites and you take real pride in the condition of the properties you touch, that's exactly the dynamic Van Metre is looking for here.