Get to know F&S: Alvaro Perez

With almost 30 years working at U of T, Caretaking Supervisor Alvaro Perez uses his experience to make every day on the St. George campus shine.

Alvaro Perez’s application for a temporary caretaking role almost three decades ago quickly evolved into a full-time position as Service Worker Caretaker then to Supervisor. His penchant for problem-solving and care for his team make it evident why.

Perez oversees some of the busiest buildings on campus, including Convocation Hall and Sidney Smith Hall. Convocation Hall is Perez’s favourite building, not only because of its historical beauty, but also because it’s where his son graduated many years ago.

His workday starts bright and early at 6:30 a.m., beginning with a check-in with his staff. His team of seven is responsible for getting the campus ready for the day, ensuring doors are open and spaces are ready to welcome staff and students. His team, part of the broader Caretaking team that consists of over 100 staff members, takes care of essential tasks, including the cleaning all indoor public areas, replacing lights and responding to emergencies like flooding or water leaks.

Though his role as supervisor involves more paperwork and scheduling than his previous caretaking position, he visits his buildings to check that everything is in working order. He also responds to requests from clients, reporting a leaky sink or opening classrooms for locked out students.

Perez’s favourite part of his job is interacting with people from all over the world. Looking back on his career, Perez feels incredibly lucky to have been able to mentor his co-workers and work with people from all corners of the globe, from Europe to South America. “Working with people from all over the world has reinforced my belief that despite our differences, we share common values and goals.” Perez says.

Outside of work, Perez enjoys soccer, traveling and biking. “I’ve ridden my bike to work every single day for almost 30 years,” he says proudly. “Winter, summer, snow or rain.”

Have questions about how to get in touch with caretaking or want to know more about their schedules, responsibilities, sustainability practices and more? Check out our website for full details.