Maintenance Technician

Most apartment communities run on the visible work of leasing staff, but the physical product residents actually pay for depends entirely on what happens in the maintenance shop. At a stabilized residential community like Westwood Village in Westland, a skilled technician isn't just fixing things. They're protecting NOI, preserving curb appeal, and directly shaping whether residents renew. That's the context this role sits inside.

Paragon Properties is hiring a Maintenance Technician at Westwood Village Apartments, a full-time position paying up to $26/hr based on experience and certifications. The schedule is a guaranteed 40-hour week, with after-hours on-call rotation that includes weekends and holidays. Paragon provides an on-call bonus and a quarterly team bonus, which reflects a comp structure that actually rewards the extra burden of emergency availability rather than just expecting it.

What the Work Looks Like Day to Day

Your workload will split between resident service requests and make-ready work. On the make-ready side, you'll prep vacant units for occupancy, handling basic drywall patching, painting, and rough carpentry as part of the turn process. On the service side, you'll troubleshoot and repair plumbing, electrical systems, major appliances, pool and spa equipment, and HVAC. HVAC certification (Type II or Universal) is strongly preferred, and given how much of a technician's time goes toward heating and cooling calls, that credential carries real weight here.

Curb appeal and physical integrity of the property are also part of the job. You'll flag potential liabilities and propose improvements when you spot them, which means this role requires some situational awareness beyond just closing out work orders.

What the Role Builds Toward

Technicians who develop a strong combination of HVAC competency, appliance repair, and turn experience tend to move into lead tech or maintenance supervisor roles within two to four years. At a company like Paragon that offers internal certification programs and advancement pathways, the skills you build here compound quickly. Universal EPA certification alone opens doors to higher-comp positions across Class A, B, and C communities throughout any market. If you eventually want to move into a maintenance director or regional facilities role, the foundation starts with being the person who can diagnose a condensate line issue and also spot a trip hazard in the parking lot on the same afternoon.

What Paragon Offers

• Up to $26/hr depending on experience and certifications
• Paid time off plus 9 company-paid holidays
• Rent discount at Paragon communities
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• After-hours on-call bonus and quarterly team bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with a short enrollment waiting period
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Tool kit provided after 30-day new hire training period
• Uniform program and employee recognition program

What the Role Requires

• At least one year of maintenance experience, whether technical, vocational, or hands-on
• HVAC Type II or Universal certification, strongly preferred
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• High school diploma required; trade school or college-level coursework strongly preferred
• Ability to work outdoors year-round in Michigan weather
• Pre-employment background check, drug screening, and physical required

The candidate who stands out in this role combines technical range with genuine follow-through on customer service. Residents remember how a technician communicated during a repair almost as much as whether the repair held. That combination of craft and communication is what tends to get noticed at the company level and lead to the next step.