Substitute Custodians

East Providence School Department•East Providence, RI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substitute Custodian performs general maintenance and custodial housekeeping duties when a regularly assigned custodian is absent. Under the general supervision of the Facilities Director and/or Assistant Director, assignments are made on an as-needed basis and may be at any district building, at either the elementary or secondary level, on day or night shifts. The position is per diem, with no guaranteed number of days or hours, and is not benefit-eligible. The work includes cleaning and maintaining school buildings and grounds, assisting with minor repairs and general building maintenance, and following assigned building security, opening, closing, and alarm procedures. Substitute custodians must adapt to unfamiliar buildings and routines, work independently with minimal direction, and respond appropriately to requests and emergencies. The role involves working indoors and in all weather conditions, using custodial, grounds-maintenance, and maintenance equipment, and handling hazardous materials and other workplace hazards safely.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent, or graduation from a trade or vocational school.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to read, write, and speak English proficiently, including recognizing hazardous-material and poison symbols and other caution signs commonly encountered in custodial work.
Ability to communicate orally with students, faculty, principals, and supervisors, particularly during emergencies such as fire evacuations and medical emergencies.
Knowledge of applicable building and safety code requirements.
Ability to understand and safely operate common custodial, snow-clearing, and grounds-maintenance equipment and minor maintenance tools.
Ability to work independently with minimal direction and adapt quickly to unfamiliar buildings and routines.
National and state criminal background check (BCI), including fingerprinting, before the first assignment.
Completion of all district onboarding and mandatory safety training before the first assignment.
Ability to perform the described physical duties, including lifting equipment up to 75 pounds and/or moving objects up to 150 pounds, and to safely use manual tools and power equipment.
Ability to handle hazardous materials safely, tolerate exposure to electrical and environmental hazards, and wear a respirator, protective mask and clothing, and hearing protection.

Nice To Haves

Prior custodial or building maintenance experience preferred.
Working knowledge of manual, electrical, and internal-combustion cleaning and grounds equipment, such as floor polishers, vacuum cleaners, and snow blowers, and tools used for minor maintenance repairs.

Responsibilities

Clean and keep orderly all areas in school department buildings and on school grounds, including classrooms, lavatories, offices, kitchens, gyms, auditoriums, corridors, and storage areas.
Sweep, vacuum, mop, scrub, and polish floors; remove trash and refuse; dust equipment, furniture, and fixtures; and polish metal fixtures or trimmings.
Clean and disinfect lavatory fixtures daily, wash lavatory floors, and replenish paper products and soap dispensers as needed.
Dry mop classrooms daily and spot wet mop as needed; dust window sills, ledges, and desks; empty wastebaskets and recycling bins; and clean sinks and strainers.
Dry and wet mop corridors daily, and promptly dry wet areas on rainy or snowy days, particularly at entrances and stairways.
Check entrance windows and door glass daily and clean them as necessary.
Sweep and mop lunch areas after each lunch period; empty and wash rubbish barrels.
Check grounds daily and remove debris; assist with snow and ice removal and sanding walkways as necessary.
Check plumbing, lighting, and building systems for leaks, burned-out lamps, or other problems, and report issues to the maintenance office.
Keep custodial closets, storerooms, and boiler rooms clean and orderly; clean floor equipment before storing it.
Assist with general school building maintenance and make minor maintenance repairs.
Secure the building and follow assigned opening, closing, and alarm procedures.
For emergencies after school hours or on weekends, page the night supervisor or the Director/Assistant Director of Facilities.
Respond promptly and courteously to requests from the Principal in the assigned building, and notify the Director of Facilities/Security before leaving the building during working hours.
Perform other duties assigned by the school principal and/or Facilities Director.