School Custodian

Role overview

This school-based custodian position supports the cleanliness, safety, and day-to-day upkeep of school and administrative facilities. The role is classified, non-contracted, and non-exempt, and reports to the school principal. Core work includes routine housekeeping, sanitation, grounds care, and general facilities maintenance under normal supervision.

Schedule

The assignment is available in either a 200-day schedule (10 months) or a 235-day schedule (12 months).

Qualifications

A minimum of an eighth-grade education is required. A high school diploma or GED is preferred. No certification or licensure is required. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate the ability to do the job may also be considered.

Skills and knowledge

The ideal candidate should understand custodial and grounds-care methods, materials, and procedures. Familiarity with equipment such as auto scrubbers and burnishers is important, along with safe use of personal protective equipment and safety tools. The role also calls for awareness of emergency response basics, occupational safety and health rules, proper care of supplies and equipment, strong organization, good delegation and motivational ability, professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality, integrity, and the ability to follow directions and collaborate well with others.

Key duties

This position is responsible for maintaining the overall appearance and sanitation of the school plant. Duties include cleaning buildings and surrounding areas, supporting facilities maintenance, and handling both routine and physically demanding tasks. The custodian must also help maintain a safe and secure environment and respond appropriately to changing needs throughout the school day.

Cleaning and maintenance duties

• Maintain a positive, service-oriented attitude and dress appropriately for a school environment.
• Clean and care for surfaces such as ceilings, chalkboards, tabletops, counters, lockers, and similar areas.
• Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, scrub, buff, and clean floors, carpets, hallways, classrooms, locker rooms, gym areas, cafeterias, large gathering spaces, and offices.
• Wash walls, fixtures, blinds, windows, restrooms, clinic areas, and drinking fountains, and replace light bulbs when needed.
• Use cleaning chemicals and dispose of waste in accordance with required rules and procedures.
• Operate cleaning and maintenance tools and equipment, including ladders and other basic hand tools.
• Assist with moving furniture, delivering items to classrooms, and completing other manual or strenuous tasks.
• Operate a power mower, collect litter from grounds and nearby areas, and help keep outdoor spaces orderly.
• Monitor building spaces and grounds to support a safe, secure environment.
• Open and close buildings according to district procedures and protocols.
• Help order and track building supplies and support upkeep of the supply budget.
• Work independently, manage time well, stay effective during interruptions, adapt to changing conditions, and take initiative.
• Carry out additional duties assigned by supervisors, school personnel, law, board policy, administrative regulation, or departmental handbook as needed for school operations.

Working conditions

The work environment is typically moderately noisy. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities. The job involves regular talking and hearing, frequent walking, standing, and sitting, and occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds.

Special requirements

Occasional overtime or night work may be required. The role demands enough physical strength to lift and move heavy objects, including work that may require lifting at least 50 pounds. Tasks are repetitive and can involve sustained physical effort, heavy moving or lifting of furniture and equipment, and exposure to accident and injury risks as well as other unpleasant conditions. Employees with the proper certification may also be assigned to check or operate heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment.

Additional information

Date established: December 2008. Revised: June 2023. The employer may change this job description at any time. The description is not a complete list of duties; additional related tasks may be assigned to support the district’s mission and operations.