Custodian (Sample Job Description)

This Custodian job description template includes key Custodian duties and responsibilities. You can post this template on job boards to attract prospective applicants.

• What is the role of a Custodian?
• Sample Job Description

What is the role of a Custodian?

What is the role of a Custodian?

Custodians perform a wide variety of cleaning and maintenance duties in buildings and other properties. Generally, their work revolves around creating a clean, orderly, and safe environment by mowing lawns, raking leaves, mopping floors, sweeping, collecting rubbish, cleaning windows, cleaning and restocking bathrooms, and implementing minor repairs and other maintenance duties.

Depending on the job, custodians may be required to operate a variety of machines and equipment such as a waxer or buffers to ensure the spaces they clean remain in good condition. Mechanical skills are necessary for this line of work, including making routine repairs and understanding building operations. Moreover, this profession requires candidates with excellent interpersonal skills that ensure they get along with others easily, including supervisors and building occupants. Typically, custodians will spend most of the time on their feet. Hence, physical strength, stamina, and the ability to lift or move heavy objects or supplies are essential.

Education, Training, & Certification

Occupation in this field requires minimum educational qualifications but proper skills and experience are of importance.

• Education: Formal education is not required, but a high school diploma or a general education degree (GED) is preferred.
• Training: Short term on-the-job training is common in this field.

Custodian - Skills & Competencies

To excel in this occupation, candidates require the following skills:

• Administrative skills: Custodians have to schedule what needs to be done, where and when. Also, they need to keep track of cleaning supplies, schedules and records for inventory, supplies ordered, finances and so forth.
• Maintenance skills: Due to the nature of the job, the candidate will require advanced skills to make minor repairs on structures and other maintenance projects including painting, plumbing, welding, carpentry, finishing, masonry, and roofing.
• Cleaning skills: Candidates require necessary cleaning skills such as sweeping, dusting, buffing, sanitation, chemical use, safety, mopping, polishing the furniture, waxing, washing windows and so on.
• Interpersonal skills: Custodians work within a team. Getting along with others is, therefore, paramount. Also, in some cases, they may interact with customers, primarily if they work during business hours. For promotions, candidates who demonstrate excellent skills in communication, service, teamwork, following instructions, customer relations are best.
• Repair and maintenance skills: Candidates may be required to clean and fix the equipment they use or conduct grounds maintenance on equipment, electricity, and so on.

Job Outlook

Employment of custodians and building cleaners is projected to increase in the next decade, especially in the healthcare industry, which is expected to snowball.

Work Environment

Typically, custodians work indoors, but outdoor work is also typical. Most custodians work in the evening hours to avoid interfering with the daily business of the institutions they clean.

Sample Job Description

Job Brief

We are looking for a responsible and reliable custodian to preserve and safeguard our facilities. We believe that the external and internal appearance of a building reflects on the occupants. The ideal candidate should be attentive and thorough in their work, cleaning and tidying the premises, as well as restricting vandalism by being consistently available.

Experience in a custodian role focused on building upkeep, keeping an inventory of cleaning supplies and submitting purchase requests for supplies will be an added advantage. The candidate should have high physical endurance, be detail-oriented, diligent and indispensable when it comes to custodial maintenance jobs.

Qualification & Responsibilities

• Ensure the premises are ready for the next day by taking out the trash, tidying furniture, dusting surfaces, sweeping, mopping and vacuuming.
• Cleaning and sanitizing washrooms and restocking disposables (e.g. soap) Wiping mirrors and windows.
• Keeping the outdoor environment pleasant and groomed by watering plants, mowing the lawn, cleaning entrances, etc.
• Regularly using insecticides to inhibit infestation by dangerous pests.
• Conduct and oversee maintenance and minor repairs (replace broken switches, fixing door handles, minor leaks, etc.) as well as report major damages.
• Lock facilities after operating hours by securing doors, closing windows and setting up the alarm.
• Handle infrequent custodial and janitorial tasks (shoveling snow from the sidewalk, lifting heavy items, moving chairs, etc.).
• Adhere to the company’s safety policies to create a safe working environment.
• Use proper signage to indicate wet floor or other potentially dangerous situations.

Duties & Requirements

• Prior working experience as a Custodian, Janitor or a similar role.
• Working knowledge of the use and maintenance of industrial cleaning equipment and appliances.
• Conversant with safe disposal of chemical liquids and other hazardous components.
• Ability to perform basic landscaping and handyman practices.
• Detail-oriented and conscientiousness.
• Excellent physical condition and strength.
• A high school diploma is preferred but not required.