School Custodian

Role Overview

This school-based custodial position supports the cleanliness, safety, and day-to-day upkeep of school and administrative facilities. The role is classified, non-contracted, and reports to the school principal. It is a non-exempt position.

Schedule

The assignment may follow either a 200-day schedule (10 months) or a 235-day schedule (12 months).

Qualifications

Candidates should have at least an eighth-grade education; a high school diploma or GED is preferred. No certification or licensure is required. Prior experience is helpful, and other relevant combinations of education, training, and experience that build the required knowledge and abilities may also be taken into account.

Applicants need practical knowledge of building and grounds work, the ability to use and care for custodial and grounds equipment, familiarity with personal protective equipment and safety practices, and a basic understanding of emergency response procedures. The role also calls for strong organizational ability, sound judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, integrity, and a cooperative attitude. Comfort with direction, teamwork, the public, and occupational safety and health rules is important.

Core Purpose

The custodian is responsible for hands-on housekeeping, sanitation, and general appearance of the school environment. Under general supervision, the person performs cleaning, maintenance, and related grounds work in schools and administrative buildings.

Key Duties

• Maintain a professional, service-oriented attitude and dress appropriately for a school environment.
• Clean and care for ceilings, chalkboards, counters, tabletops, lockers, and similar surfaces.
• Follow all required regulations and compliance standards.
• Work independently, manage time well, and stay effective even with frequent interruptions or changing priorities.
• Assist school staff by delivering items to classrooms, moving furniture and other heavy objects, and completing strenuous manual tasks as needed.
• Help maintain the overall condition of the building and surrounding grounds.
• Handle cleaning chemicals and waste safely and in line with all applicable rules.
• Track and replenish building supplies while supporting supply budget control.
• Use equipment such as power mowers to maintain lawns and remove debris from grounds and nearby areas.
• Operate cleaning and maintenance tools, including ladders and basic hand tools.
• Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, scrub, buff, and clean floors, carpets, hallways, classrooms, locker rooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, large group rooms, and office areas.
• Clean and wash walls, light fixtures, blinds, windows, restrooms, clinics, and water fountains; vacuum hallways; and replace light bulbs.
• Open and close buildings according to district procedures.
• Work within school-community procedures and systems.
• Perform other related duties assigned by supervisors, school staff, board policy, law, administrative regulation, or department guidelines as needed to support school system operations.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment is usually moderately noisy. Reasonable accommodation may be available to help individuals with disabilities perform the essential duties.

The job regularly involves talking, hearing, walking, standing, and sitting. The employee may occasionally need to lift or move up to 25 pounds.

Special Requirements

Occasional overtime or night work may be required. The role demands substantial physical strength, including the ability to lift and move at least 50 pounds and carry out repetitive manual labor. It may involve heavy lifting of furniture and equipment, as well as exposure to accident risks and unpleasant conditions.

Employees with the proper certification may also be assigned to monitor or operate heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment.

Administrative Notes

This position description was established in December 2008 and revised in June 2023. It may be updated, revised, or changed at any time. It is not a complete list of duties; additional instructions and related tasks may be assigned by the Board or other authorized personnel as required.