Housekeeping Aide (Casual Part-Time)

Company: Cogir Senior Living

Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Employment Type: Casual Part-Time

Clean Professional Job Summary

Cogir Senior Living is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Housekeeping Aide to maintain a pristine, safe, and welcoming environment for residents in one of its Calgary retirement communities. This role is essential to the health and happiness of retirees, involving the comprehensive cleaning and sanitization of private apartments and shared common areas. As a Housekeeping Aide, you will balance technical cleaning tasks—such as operating floor care machinery—with a compassionate, human-focused approach to service. This is a position of trust that requires a commitment to excellence, integrity, and the promotion of Resident Rights within a supportive senior living environment.

Key Responsibilities

Comprehensive Cleaning: Execute daily and scheduled cleaning of resident apartments and common areas, including fixtures, furniture, windows, vents, and lighting.
Sanitization Excellence: Apply appropriate sanitation methods to washrooms and kitchens to ensure a hygienic environment for vulnerable adults.
Floor Care Operations: Safely operate industrial floor care machines and steam cleaning equipment to strip, scrub, spray, and buff various floor surfaces.
Waste Management: Collect and transport garbage and recycling to designated disposal areas according to residence policy.
Safety & Compliance: Adhere to all established safety rules and safe working practices, including the proper handling of cleaning chemicals.
Documentation & Reporting: Prepare required documentation regarding completed tasks and participate in the residence’s Quality Improvement Program.
Resident Advocacy: Promote and respect the “Resident Rights & Responsibilities,” ensuring all interactions are ethical, moral, and professional.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Communication: Good oral and written English communication skills; the ability to provide and receive daily feedback.
Experience: Knowledge of standard institutional cleaning techniques; previous experience in healthcare, commercial, or residential cleaning is highly desirable.
Technical Skill: Proficiency with (or willingness to learn) industrial laundry and floor maintenance equipment.
Autonomy: Proven ability to manage a workload with minimal supervision while meeting high-quality standards.
Physical Capability: Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, lifting, and operating heavy machinery.
Background Check: Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check (within six months) or be willing to obtain one prior to hiring.

About the Company: Cogir Senior Living

For over 25 years, Cogir has been a leader in the Canadian senior living industry, managing a diverse portfolio of independent living, assisted living, and memory care residences. The company operates under a philosophy of “Human Focus, Creativity, and Excellence.” Cogir is known for creating communities that go beyond basic care, focusing on the genuine happiness and fulfillment of its residents. For employees, Cogir offers a “meaningful work” environment where individual contributions directly impact the quality of life for seniors.

Market & Industry Context: Senior Living in 2026

In 2026, the senior living sector in Alberta is experiencing a heightened focus on Environmental Wellness.

Housekeeping is no longer viewed as a “back-of-house” function but as a frontline health service. In the current Calgary market, there is a significant move toward “Green Cleaning” and the use of non-toxic, hospital-grade disinfectants to protect the respiratory health of residents. As a casual part-time employee in 2026, you occupy a flexible and vital spot in the workforce; retirement homes rely on casual staff to ensure consistent service levels during seasonal fluctuations or health outbreaks, making “reliability” your most marketable trait.

Career Growth & Progression Path

Lead Housekeeper: Transition into a supervisory role, managing the housekeeping schedule and training new aides on institutional standards.
Environmental Services Manager: Oversee the entire maintenance and cleaning department, managing budgets, vendor contracts, and facility-wide safety protocols.
Resident Care Assistant: With additional training (HCA/PSW), leverage your familiarity with residents to transition into a direct clinical care role.
Quality Improvement Lead: Specialize in facility auditing and compliance, ensuring the residence consistently exceeds provincial health and safety standards.

Interview Preparation Insights

The “Vulnerable Sector” Mindset: Be prepared to discuss why you enjoy working with seniors. Cogir values empathy and the “Human Focus” just as much as technical cleaning skills.
Safety Protocols: You will likely be asked about your knowledge of WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). Be ready to explain how you safely store and label chemicals.
Attention to Detail: Prepare an example of a time you noticed a safety hazard (like a loose rug or a spill) and took immediate action to fix it.
Flexibility: Since this is a “Casual Part-Time” role, highlight your availability and your ability to step in and learn the residence’s specific layout quickly.

Compensation & Benefits

Schedule: Flexible casual hours, perfect for those balancing other commitments or seeking supplemental income.
Training: Participation in regular in-service training to stay updated on the latest senior care and cleaning technologies.
Inclusion: Access to an inclusive workplace where Cogir provides accommodations for candidates upon request to ensure equitable employment practices.

Work Environment & Diversity

The Atmosphere: Professional, quiet, and high-trust. You are working in people’s private homes, which requires a high degree of respect and discretion.
Inclusion Policy: Cogir is committed to an inclusive workforce. In 2026, the senior care sector in Calgary is one of the most culturally diverse industries, and Cogir actively encourages candidates who are proficient in a second language to apply, as this helps bridge communication gaps with diverse resident populations.

Short Compliance & Equal Opportunity Note

Cogir Senior Living is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All hiring is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check and Vulnerable Sector Check to ensure the safety of our residents.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	Cogir Senior Living
Location	Calgary, AB
Employment Type	Casual Part-Time
Work Setting	Retirement Residence (Independent, Assisted Living, & Memory Care)
Primary Focus	Cleaning, sanitization, and floor maintenance
Requirement	Vulnerable Sector Check (Current within 6 months)
Key Skills	Institutional cleaning techniques, floor care machinery
Communication	Good oral and written English (Second language is an asset)

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs)

Working in a senior living environment requires a balance of technical cleaning precision and high empathy for the residents.

Apartment & Common Area Care: Cleaning furniture, kitchens, washrooms, walls, ceilings, and windows according to a strict assigned schedule.
Specialized Floor Maintenance: Operating industrial equipment to strip, scrub, spray, and buff both carpeted and hard floor surfaces.
Waste Management: Systematic collection and transport of garbage to designated disposal areas.
Documentation & Safety: Preparing routine reports and adhering to safety protocols (WHMIS) to ensure a hazard-free environment for vulnerable adults.
Resident Relations: Maintaining awareness of “Resident Rights & Responsibilities” and acting with high integrity in a position of trust.

Working with Vulnerable Adults

Since this role involves entering the private living spaces of seniors, Cogir emphasizes personal suitability:

Position of Trust: You will be working around individuals with memory care needs; patience and ethical conduct are mandatory.
Physical Demand: The role involves repetitive movement, heavy lifting (trash/equipment), and long periods of standing.
Continuous Learning: Attendance at “in-service” training is required to keep up with evolving healthcare cleaning standards.

2026 Calgary Senior Living Market Context

The demand for senior care in Alberta has surged in 2026 as the province’s population ages.

Demographics: Calgary has a diverse senior population. Approximately 41% of the city’s residents identify as visible minorities, and Cogir specifically values “proficiency in a second language” to better serve this multicultural resident base.
Labor Regulations: In Alberta, casual part-time workers in senior care facilities often have specific protections under the Employment Standards Code, though they may not have a guaranteed minimum number of hours per week.
Competitive Wages: While Cogir lists this as “Casual,” the 2026 average for Housekeeping Aides in Calgary retirement homes ranges from $18.50 to $22.00 per hour, often with a shift premium for weekend work.

Application Readiness

Vulnerable Sector Check: If you don’t already have a recent check (within 6 months), you should apply through the Calgary Police Service (CPS) immediately, as processing times can vary.
Experience Highlights: In your application, focus on your experience with “Institutional” cleaning rather than just general house cleaning. Mention your familiarity with industrial floor buffers or steam cleaners.
Feedback Loop: The job description mentions the “Ability to provide feedback.” Be ready to discuss how you communicate site issues or supply needs to your supervisor.

To apply for this job please visit careers.cogirseniorliving.ca.