Head Custodian (CAMS & CDS) Comp #92785

Province of Nova Scotia Regional Centres for Education; Chester; Hybrid; CAD 50,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education seeks a Head Custodian to manage janitorial staff, oversee daily operations, and ensure safety and cleanliness across Chester-area schools. The role focuses on coordinating cleaning programs, inspections, training, and adherence to regional standards.

Reporting to the Manager of Property Services, you will lead unionized staff, supervise tasks, and coordinate with school staff to support programs and community use.

Qualifications

• Completion of certified building service technician program or equivalent, a related trade or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of effective cleaning and building maintenance practices.
• Experience operating pneumatic or computerized HVAC controls.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff.
• Completion of WHMIS, first aid, scaffolding and confined space training.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Developing list of specific duties and responsibilities for each Janitor in conjunction with the Manager of Property Services.
• Planning cleaning programs for school breaks.
• Performing daily inspections and follows up as required.
• Recording employee absences and schedules replacements.
• Overseeing training of new Janitors, reviews performance to ensure regional cleaning standards are achieved.
• Ensuring that safe work practices are followed and supplies are stored safely.

Skills

Building maintenance knowledge

HVAC controls experience

Supervisory experience

Team collaboration

Manual lifting

Education

Building service tech program

Related trade

Tools

WHMIS training

First aid training

Scaffolding training

Confined space training

Job description

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South Shore Regional Centre for Education

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) practices the culturally responsive pedagogy approach in providing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, safe and healthy education that supports learning and success both personally and academically to the 59,000 residents of Lunenburg and Queens Counties, an area of 5,250 square kilometres and a total of 23 schools.

Regional Centres for Education have Employment Equity Policies and/or processes and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly people of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian and African ancestry and Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ancestry. Please ensure that you complete the self-identification portion on the position application.

Competition#

92785

Position: Head Custodian

Location: Chester Area Middle School and Chester District School

Reports to: Manager of Property Services

Employee Group: CUPE

Schedule: 8 hours per day, 6:30am to 3pm

Wage: Permanent position - $25.77/hr

Application Close Date : Tuesday September 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (AST)

Qualifications:

• Completion of certified building service technician program or equivalent, a related trade or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of effective cleaning and building maintenance practices.
• Experience operating pneumatic or computerized HVAC controls.
• Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff.
• Completion of WHMIS, first aid, scaffolding and confined space training.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Characteristics:

• Strong building maintenance skills: HVAC, controls, operational.
• Supervisory skills, assertiveness.
• Team player.
• Committed to continuous learning and staff development.

Task Dimensions:

• Developing list of specific duties and responsibilities for each Janitor in conjunction with the Manager of Property Services.
• Planning cleaning programs for school breaks.
• Performing daily inspections and follows up as required.
• Recording employee absences and schedules replacements.
• Overseeing training of new Janitors, reviews performance to ensure regional cleaning standards are achieved.
• Ensuring that safe work practices are followed and supplies are stored safely.

Maintains school building and grounds; for example:

• Performing daily inspection of operating systems, including HVAC, water treatment, alarm and emergency systems.
• Lubricating pumps, compressors, and electrical motors, changes fluid and air filters, replaces worn belts as required.
• Operating EMCS to maximize occupant comfort and control energy consumption.
• Completing minor carpentry, electrical and plumbing repairs.
• Completing cleaning duties where applicable.
• Monitoring contracted snow removal, ensures snow and ice are removed from walks, exits and entrances.
• Submitting work orders to the maintenance department as necessary.

Maintains cleaning stock of cleaning supplies, for example:

• Ensuring cleaning materials are stored safely, with MSD sheets properly displayed.
• Reordering cleaning supplies as necessary.

Works cooperatively with the School Principal and staff, for example:

• Reviewing maintenance and operational issues with the School Principal in order to support the needs of school programs and community use.
• Complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations.
• Performs other related duties as required.

First consideration will be given to CUPE Local 4982 Members.

TO APPLY: Quoting competition #, applicants can:

• Complete an online resume/profile (Internal CUPE Members can contact [e-mail] for their login information). or
• FAX resume with competition # to 902-541-3012. or
• Drop off resume with competition # to HR - 69 Wentzell Dr. Bridgewater, NS B4V 0A2

BACKGROUND/SECURITY CHECKS:

The South Shore Regional Centre for Educationrequires allnewly hiredemployees to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record / Vulnerable SectorCheck and a Nova Scotia Child Abuse Register Check. We will accept checks completed within the last 3 months.

Thank you for your interest in the South Shore Regional Centre for Education, however, only those shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.