Substitute Custodian

About the role

The Substitute Custodian performs general cleaning and maintenance in school buildings under the supervision of the Senior Director of Buildings & Grounds and an engineer at school level. They maintain equipment in functional condition and provide cleaning and custodial assistance as necessary.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Checks and secures building at beginning and end of shift for safety and cleanliness.
• Cleans rooms, hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, offices, stairways, and other areas of building according to school district standards.
• Sweeps, mops, buffs, strips, and waxes floors.
• Cleans rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and blinds.
• Washes and dusts walls, ceilings, woodwork, windows, doors, and sills.
• Removes graffiti, cleans glass areas.
• Replaces light bulbs.
• Sets up and breaks down chairs, tables and equipment in meeting rooms, and functional rooms.
• Clears snow from entrances and walks, and spreads sand and ice melting chemicals.
• Performs grounds-keeping duties, clears debris and maintains grounds as needed.
• Receives deliveries and assists in unloading trucks and storing supplies.
• Delivers supplies and materials to classrooms, bathrooms and other areas of the building.
• Empties wastebaskets; picks up and removes trash and assists in recycling programs.
• Reasonable knowledge of cleaning equipment and techniques.
• Fluency in reading, speaking, and interpreting English.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull over 50 pounds.
• Possess good human relations skills.
• Understand and be willing to perform directions provided orally and in writing.
• Absorbs and understands directions provided by supervisors.
• Assists parents and other visitors to school buildings with special events and programs.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Note

The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Content Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge Of:
• Proper cleaning techniques and sanitation standards for schools, including use of cleaning agents, disinfectants, and custodial equipment.
• Safe operation and routine maintenance of custodial tools and machinery (e.g., buffers, vacuums, carpet cleaners, snow blowers).
• Basic safety procedures related to facility cleaning, lifting, snow/ice removal, and chemical use.
• School district expectations and procedures for custodial, groundskeeping, and building maintenance.
• Skilled In:
• Operating, adjusting, and maintaining cleaning equipment and tools.
• Cleaning and maintaining various surfaces (e.g., tile, wood, carpet, upholstery, glass, metal).
• Performing floor care procedures including sweeping, mopping, buffing, stripping, and waxing.
• Performing minor maintenance tasks such as light bulb replacement and graffiti removal.
• Snow and ice removal using manual tools and applying melting agents safely.
• Loading, unloading, and delivering materials, supplies, and equipment safely.
• Interacting respectfully and helpfully with staff, students, visitors, and parents.

Ability To

• Follow written and verbal directions and safety instructions with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and a customer-service orientation in a school setting.
• Prioritize tasks and respond promptly to urgent custodial or safety needs.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing over 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Perform assigned duties with accuracy, reliability, and attention to detail.
• Absorb and understand directions provided by supervisors.
• Assist with special school events, including room setup, crowd assistance, and cleanup.

Candidate Qualifications

• High School Diploma.

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note

The mental demands, physical demands, and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.