Substitute Custodian

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 • Oak Park, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Director of Buildings & Grounds and Engineer at school level, the Substitute Custodian performs general cleaning and maintenance in school buildings. As a key member of the district's building and grounds department, the Substitute Custodian maintains equipment in functional condition; and provides cleaning and custodial assistance to students, teachers, visitors and others as necessary. The Substitute Custodian position will ensure that equity is at the center of the district's building & grounds services to positively impact student learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Requirements

• 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
• Can understand and be willing to perform directions provided orally and in writing
• High School Diploma
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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)
• 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
• Assist with special school events, including room setup, crowd assistance, and cleanup

Responsibilities

• Checks and secures building at beginning and end of shift for the purpose of ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the building.
• 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.
• Assists parents and other visitors to school buildings with special events and programs
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED