Maintenance Technician

FLATS operates urban apartment communities in Chicago with a design-forward identity and a tech-integrated approach to property operations. This Maintenance Technician role sits at the center of the day-to-day physical plant: work orders, make-readies, grounds, life safety systems, and everything in between.

What You'll Actually Do

Your day starts with the work order queue. You'll triage, prioritize, and close out resident service requests, keeping response times tight. Make-ready work is a regular part of the job: prepping vacant units to company standards before a new resident takes possession. Beyond turns, you'll handle common area cleaning, exterior grounds upkeep, and seasonal duties including pool maintenance. Property walk-throughs are part of your routine, and when something's off, you document it and move toward a fix.

Annual inspections don't manage themselves. Fire extinguishers, life safety systems, elevators, and any other city or state-mandated checks fall within your scope. When outside contractors are needed for larger projects, you'll help coordinate that under the direction of the Maintenance Engineer or Property Manager. Inspection prep is part of the job too.

What You Bring

• At least one year of residential maintenance experience
• HVAC experience is required; certification is a plus
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office for basic documentation and communication
• Strong time management and the ability to shift priorities without losing track of open items
• Good resident-facing communication skills, which matter more than people expect in this role
• Physical readiness: this job involves lifting up to 100 pounds, working in varying weather, and spending most of the day on your feet, crawling, climbing, or crouching
• Safety-conscious habits around electrical, mechanical, and airborne hazard exposure

A Few Honest Notes

Urban mid-rise maintenance in Chicago carries its own rhythm. Winters push HVAC and exterior work hard, and the life safety inspection calendar in the city is thorough. If you've worked a Chicago property before, you already know the pace. If you haven't, expect to learn it quickly. The coordination side of this role, managing contractors and inspection schedules, tends to separate the technicians who stay and grow from the ones who burn out. Good documentation habits and a methodical approach to work order management go further here than raw technical speed.

FLATS offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays.