Custodian, Day Lead I

Howard County Public School System • Columbia, MD

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a working supervisory custodial position responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of an assigned facility and its grounds. With technical supervision from a building supervisor, custodial manager, or assistant manager, and administrative supervision from a building supervisor, the employee supervises assigned custodians. Work is evaluated through observation and inspection of completed assignments.

The role coordinates routine building and grounds maintenance, including cleaning, snow removal, and lawn care; inspects the facility for security and cleanliness; assigns and checks custodial work; and performs cleaning, floor care, outdoor maintenance, equipment operation, and minor repairs. The employee must be available for emergency calls and may be required to work weekends, evenings, or shifts when work cannot be scheduled during normal school-year hours. The position is full-time, 12 months per year, with an 8.5-hour duty day that includes an unpaid, duty-free 30-minute lunch. The position is non-exempt from overtime.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; documentation must be uploaded with the application.
• At least one year of experience as a custodian.
• Knowledge of housecleaning methods, practices, and materials used in cleaning and maintenance.
• Knowledge of housekeeping equipment, supplies, and practices.
• Knowledge of supply requisition procedures and maintenance of supply records and reports.
• Knowledge of building maintenance, including boilers and building mechanical systems.
• Ability to make minor repairs and assemble furniture and equipment.
• Knowledge of the current negotiated agreement, the Integrated Pest Management Program booklet, the Energy Management Program, and Automated Service Request Information Systems General (ASRIS).
• Knowledge of supervision and leadership principles.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to plan and organize work, delegate tasks, act as a self-starter, and motivate others.
• Ability to provide leadership to custodial staff.
• Strong human relations skills with students, administrators, coworkers, parents, and the community.
• Ability to operate cleaning and grass-cutting machines, or willingness to acquire the necessary operating skills.
• Willingness to attend and participate in training and to learn and practice acceptable cleaning methods.
• Ability to meet the physical examination requirements administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.
• Ability to perform extensive walking, stooping, pushing, carrying, climbing, bending, and lifting; pick up and carry 65 pounds; stand for prolonged periods; climb ladders and stairs; and hear the normally spoken word at 25 feet.
• Must meet the employer's pre-employment requirements, including fingerprinting, criminal background investigation, and successful completion of the Maryland Employment History Review.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a custodian in a school system or in building maintenance is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct routine building and grounds maintenance, including general cleaning, snow removal, and lawn mowing.
• Inspect the facility to ensure building security and cleanliness.
• Train custodial staff to secure the building and equipment.
• Clean buildings by sweeping, dusting, mopping, scrubbing, sealing, washing surfaces, vacuuming, and buffing.
• Maintain grounds by mowing, watering, sweeping, and weeding.
• Move and store furniture and equipment.
• Remove snow and ice.
• Be available for emergency calls.
• Assign work to custodians and ensure assignments are completed.
• Perform general building maintenance, including cleaning bathrooms, dusting, washing windows, scrubbing walls, cleaning furniture, filling dispensers, washing chalkboards, assisting in the cafeteria, cleaning trays, replacing light bulbs and neon tubes, removing gum, picking up floor trash, cleaning drinking fountains, and cleaning trash cans.
• Make minor repairs.
• Check and clean equipment.
• Open and secure the building.
• Perform floor maintenance, including vacuuming, sweeping, dry and wet mopping, scrubbing, waxing, and buffing.
• Perform outdoor maintenance, including picking up lawn debris, shoveling snow, cutting grass, and cleaning sidewalks.
• Operate cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, scrubbers, and buffers, and use buckets, wet and dry mops, and brooms.
• Operate grass-cutting equipment.
• Use safety devices, protective equipment, and safe work practices; correct hazardous conditions when possible and report them to the appropriate administrator.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Paid time off information is available in the negotiated agreement for this bargaining unit.
• Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency pension plan is mandatory for employees who meet eligibility and membership criteria; the annual employee contribution is 7% of annual salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED