Delaware Hall, a historic 1920s Art Deco apartment building and longstanding landmark of Wilmington's Trolley Square neighborhood, is seeking an experienced, hands-on building superintendent. Delaware Hall has stood for nearly a century. Its construction, original systems, and continued usefulness are a testament to the quality with which it was built. More importantly, it has been home to generations of Wilmington residents and remains a living residential community today. For approximately 30 years, the building's owner has personally performed much of the work of its superintendent: maintaining and repairing the property, responding to tenants, overseeing apartment turnovers, working alongside contractors, and developing an unusually detailed knowledge of the building and its systems. The owner is now looking for a trusted individual who can share in the responsibility of caring for, operating, and preserving Delaware Hall. This is not a conventional handyman position and the owner is not an absentee landlord. We are looking for someone who already understands the demands of maintaining residential property and takes genuine pride in doing the work properly. The right person will become a consistent presence at Delaware Hall, understand the particular character of the building through working in it, and exercise the judgment to know what can be handled directly and what requires a licensed specialist. The position centers on Delaware Hall and may include work at other nearby residential properties.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Take day-to-day responsibility for the condition, function, and presentation of the building. Respond to tenant maintenance requests promptly and communicate with tenants respectfully. Inspect the property regularly and identify developing problems before they become larger repairs. Perform general repairs involving doors, locks, windows, hardware, cabinets, walls, ceilings, flooring, fixtures, and other building components. Perform carpentry, drywall repair, plaster patching, caulking, painting, and finish work. Handle routine plumbing maintenance such as snaking ordinary drain blockages and repairing or replacing traps, faucets, shower stems, toilet components, supply lines, and similar fixtures. Perform minor electrical maintenance and troubleshooting within the superintendent's demonstrated ability and lawful scope. Recognize plumbing, electrical, heating, elevator, structural, and other conditions that require a licensed or specialized contractor. Prepare apartments for new tenants, including repairs, patching, painting, fixture checks, cleaning coordination, and completion of turnover punch lists. Maintain basic cleanliness and order in common areas and oversee or coordinate deeper cleaning and other building services as needed. Coordinate access for plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, elevator technicians, cleaners, and other vendors. Observe contractor work, communicate relevant information about the building, and confirm that assigned work has been completed. Maintain basic records of service requests, repairs, materials, and outstanding needs. Help protect the safety, dignity, and residential character of the building and its community.
THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The successful candidate will bring substantial hands-on experience in residential building maintenance, facilities work, construction, contracting, or a related field. Experience may come from maintaining older buildings, working in new construction, practicing a particular trade, operating a contracting business, or caring for properties over many years. The precise background matters less than demonstrated competence, sound judgment, reliability, honesty, and pride in the work.
Candidates should have:
Broad practical knowledge of building maintenance and repair Proficiency in some combination of basic plumbing, drain clearing, carpentry, painting, patching, turnovers, and general troubleshooting Working familiarity with electrical systems and a clear understanding of when licensed electrical work is required The ability to work appropriately in occupied residential properties Respect for historic construction and the patience to understand an older building before assuming that unfamiliar means defective The judgment to preserve sound original work while recognizing genuine safety concerns and necessary repairs The ability to prioritize tenant requests and distinguish routine work from urgent conditions Professional conduct around tenants and respect for their homes and privacy Dependability, discretion, organization, and consistent follow-through Reliable transportation and appropriate everyday hand tools Verifiable professional references when the process reaches that stage Experience with older apartment buildings, legacy building systems, unit turnovers, heating systems, or long-term facilities care is especially valuable. We do not expect one person to know every trade. We do value applicants who are candid about both what they know and what lies outside their experience.
TOOLS AND WORKING RESOURCES
Candidates should have reliable transportation and their own everyday hand tools. Delaware Hall also has a well-equipped on-site workshop containing an extensive collection of tools and materials used in maintaining the building.
WORKING ARRANGEMENT AND COMPENSATION
This is intended to become a stable, long-term relationship with the right superintendent. The exact responsibilities, schedule, compensation, and working arrangement will depend on what that person brings to the position. Both a commuting arrangement and the possibility of on-site housing may be considered. Housing is not required and would be discussed as part of the overall position. Additional practical arrangements may also be considered depending on the superintendent's responsibilities and needs.
TO APPLY A
formal resume is welcome but not required. Tell us a little about yourself, the work you have done, and the practical skills you would bring to Delaware Hall. Your experience may come from maintaining apartment buildings or other properties, working in new construction, operating your own contracting business, practicing a particular trade, performing facilities work, or spending many years repairing and caring for buildings.
Please tell us plainly:
What kinds of buildings, properties, construction projects, or maintenance work have you been involved with? What was your role? What plumbing work are you comfortable performing? What electrical work are you familiar with? What experience do you have with carpentry, drywall, plaster, painting, apartment turnovers, cleaning, or general repair? Which of these areas are outside your experience or better left to someone else? We do not expect one person to know every trade. In fact, we respect applicants who are straightforward about both what they know and what they do not. Good judgment includes knowing the limits of your experience. Most importantly, tell us what you believe you could contribute to the care of Delaware Hall. Please include your name, telephone number, general availability, and the best time to reach you. References will be requested as the conversation progresses. You may also contact us directly at sammy@karmik.com or 215-300-3285.
