Custodial Assistant

About the role

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall. The Custodial Assistant performs essential functions that ensure clean, neat, orderly and healthy buildings for visitors and staff. The role involves cleaning, picking up trash, staffing events, working with the custodial team, scheduling time to ensure chapels and facilities are cleaned for memorial services, public events, private events and staff meetings.

Responsibilities

• Works independently and with Custodial Team to perform all necessary routine custodial tasks before, during, and after events. Events can include memorial services, public events, and private events in the buildings or on the grounds.
• Works closely with Custodial Team and Director of Facilities to ensure that all work meets high standards for cleanliness.
• Required to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours, including for the Winter Solstice evening event held in December each year.
• Empties trash bins outside buildings and on the grounds during events.
• Check main entrance area for litter and assist with cleanup around the Cemetery perimeter after events.
• May work with other outside contractors performing custodial work, including the contract custodian and the carpet cleaning company.
• May be asked to work after normal operating hours to accommodate contractor’s schedule.
• Keeps all custodial closets and storage areas well stocked, neat and well organized, and reports supply shortages to Director of Facilities for ordering.
• Cleans all toilets, sinks and related restroom fixtures in public and employee restrooms before, during, and after events.
• Maintains all paper towel, toilet paper and soap dispensers
• Sweeps, mops and/or vacuums floors and stairs
• May be required to perform other duties and assist other Departments as requested by the Director of Facilities

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license
• High School Diploma
• Ability to communicate successfully with Cemetery staff, including the use of radio equipment
• Position requires self-reliance and dependability
• Familiarity with using hand and power tools is desirable

Physical Demands

• Lift and carry heavy boxes of supplies
• Bend, walk and/or stand for long periods of time
• Traverse stairs
• Use step stools and ladders as necessary
• May