Custodian, Night Lead II

Howard County Public School System • Columbia, MD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The employee coordinates routine building and grounds maintenance, performs cleaning and minor repairs, operates cleaning and grass-cutting equipment, and helps ensure building security and staff readiness. The role may require emergency responses, including during inclement weather. This is a 12-month-per-year position in the AFSCME employee unit. The full-time duty day is 8.5 hours, including a 30-minute unpaid duty-free lunch; weekend, evening, and shift work may be required when work cannot be scheduled during normal school-year hours.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED; documentation must be uploaded with the application. Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE-approved organization.
• Two years of experience as a custodian.
• Working knowledge of housecleaning methods, practices, and materials used in clean maintenance operations.
• Working knowledge of housekeeping equipment, supplies, and practices.
• Knowledge of procedures for requisitioning supplies and maintaining supply records and reports.
• Working knowledge of building maintenance, including boilers and building mechanical systems.
• Ability to make minor repairs and assemble furniture and equipment used at an assigned facility.
• Knowledge of the current negotiated agreement, Integrated Pest Management Program booklet, Energy Management Program, and Automated Service Request Information Systems General (ASRIS).
• General knowledge of supervision and leadership principles.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to plan and organize work, delegate, be a self-starter, and motivate others.
• Strong human relations skills with students, administrators, co-workers, parents, and the community.
• Ability to operate cleaning and grass-cutting machines, or willingness to acquire the skills to operate machines used at the assigned facility.
• Willingness to attend and participate in training sessions and learn and practice acceptable cleaning methods.
• Physical ability to walk extensively, stoop, push, carry, climb, bend, lift 65 pounds, stand for prolonged periods, and climb ladders and stairs.
• Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feet.
• Must meet all requirements of a physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.
• Must be fingerprinted, complete a criminal background investigation and Maryland Employment History Review, and provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience as a custodian in a school system or in building maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct routine building and grounds maintenance, including general cleaning, snow removal, and lawn mowing.
• Inspect the building to ensure security and cleanliness.
• Ensure custodial staff are trained to secure the building and equipment.
• Make custodian job assignments and ensure work is completed.
• Clean buildings by sweeping, dusting, mopping, scrubbing, sealing, washing surfaces, vacuuming, and buffing.
• Perform ground maintenance, including mowing, watering, sweeping, weeding, picking up lawn debris, shoveling snow, cutting grass, and cleaning sidewalks.
• Move and store furniture and equipment.
• Remove snow and ice.
• Be available for emergency calls and respond as required.
• Perform general building maintenance, including cleaning bathrooms, windows, walls, furniture, chalkboards, drinking fountains, trash cans, and cafeteria trays; filling dispensers; assisting in the cafeteria; replacing light bulbs and neon tubes; removing gum; and picking up floor trash.
• Make minor repairs and assemble furniture and equipment.
• Check and clean equipment.
• Open and secure the building.
• Perform floor maintenance, including vacuuming, sweeping, dry and wet mopping, scrubbing, waxing, and buffing.
• Operate cleaning equipment, including vacuum cleaners, scrubbers, and buffers, and use buckets, mops, and brooms.
• Operate grass-cutting equipment.
• Use safety devices and protective equipment and follow safe practices when operating equipment and using supplies.
• Correct hazardous conditions within the building or grounds when possible and report them to the appropriate administrator.
• Provide leadership to custodial staff, plan and organize work, delegate tasks, and motivate others.
• Attend and participate in training sessions and learn and practice acceptable cleaning methods and equipment operation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Paid time off information is available in the negotiated agreement for this bargaining unit.
• Mandatory membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency pension plan for employees meeting eligibility and membership criteria; annual employee contribution is 7% of salary.
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act; the position is not exempt from overtime.

What This Job Offers

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