Custodial Staff

Central Synagogue; New York (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan is seeking a Custodial Worker to keep classrooms and event spaces clean and ready for daily classes, ceremonies and programs. The role reports to the Custodial Shift Supervisor and requires availability for longer shifts, weekends, and holidays during peak times.

Strong safety practices and customer-service orientation are essential. Full-time, non-exempt position with occasional overtime and special event coverage, including High Holy Days.

Qualifications

• Previous custodial experience preferred, including floor care.
• Able to follow safety procedures due to physical risks and exposure to chemicals.
• A friendly, efficient, positive customer service demeanor towards Central Synagogue’s members, guests, co-workers.
• Ability to remain positive, calm and work independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
• English proficiency strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning and setting up assigned areas to Central Synagogue’s standards.
• Adhering to procedures to provide a safe working environment per OSHA, state/local, federal regulations.
• Maintaining a clean and orderly environment to protect health.
• Maintaining and cleaning housekeeping equipment.
• Setting up and breaking down classrooms and event spaces per event specifications.
• Following procedures for storage and disposal of trash and transporting it to designated areas.
• Distributing and collecting packages and supplies.
• Reporting maintenance concerns via work orders.
• Physical requirements include lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and extended standing.

Skills

Attention to detail

Flexibility

Customer service mindset

Job description

POSTED ON December 04, 2025

Custodial Staff

Overview:

Central Synagogue is one of the leading and largest Reform congregations in the country. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Central’s reach includes more than 3,400 member families, a livestream community numbering in the hundreds of thousands, and more than 800 students, from birth to twelfth grade, in the Nursery and Religious schools. Central's operations include a pre-school, camp, religious services and programming on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, a religious school, a wide variety of adult programming, as well as social justice work including programs supporting criminal justice reform and food insecurity. These activities take place on an urban campus that includes a 150+ year old landmarked sanctuary building, a nine-story Community House, and ancillary rented office space.

Central Synagogue is an inclusive and welcoming community that is committed to being an open tent, a place that welcomes all people, including those who have been historically and institutionally marginalized or excluded from the Jewish community. The Synagogue is well-resourced, has over 100 staff, and is governed by a 29-member Board of Trustees. To learn more, please visit www.centralsynagogue.org.

Job Summary/Objective:

Central Synagogue’s operations team is responsible for ensuring that the organization’s properties are safe, clean, organized, and function smoothly throughout a complex schedule of daily classes, meetings, ceremonies and events. As a Custodial Staff worker on our team, you’ll take on the important job of keeping our operations and locations clean, so that our customers can stay happy and healthy.

Reports to: Custodial Shift Supervisor

Department Hours:

• Shift hours will be determined on current staffing needs
• Full-time, Non-Exempt and eligible for OT over 40 hours per week with the supervisor's approval.
• Will be required to work the Jewish High Holy Days (Erev Rosh Hashanah, Rosh Hashanah, Kol Nidrei, and Yom Kippur) and other special events/programs from time to time.
• Availability for longer shifts, weekends, and holidays is often required

Date: December 2025

Key Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Your responsibilities as a Custodial Worker may include, but are not limited to:

• Cleaning and setting up assigned areas to Central Synagogue’s standards and requirements
• Adhering to established procedures to provide a safe working environment including aligning with OSHA, state/local, federal, and other regulations
• Maintaining a clean and orderly environment to project the safety and health of others
• Accurately maintaining and cleaning housekeeping equipment
• Setting up and breaking down classrooms and event spaces according to event specifications, which may require moving furniture (tables, chairs, etc.), equipment and supplies, unpacking food and beverages and repackaging leftovers, and refreshing rooms as needed
• Following procedures for storage and disposal of trash and transporting it to designated areasli>
• Distributing and collecting packages and supplies
• Reporting maintenance concerns via work order requests to appropriate personnel
• With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions, which may include, but are not limited to:
  • Lifting, bending, pushing, pulling and/or extended walking and standing.
  • Wearing uniform and/or usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Core Competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and ability to execute
• High degree of enthusiasm, flexible attitude and open demeanor
• Takes initiative, anticipates needs and adapts to situations as they arise

Qualifications:

• Previous custodial experience preferred, including floor care (tile, terrazzo, carpet and wood)
• Able to follow basic safety procedures and precautions due to physical risks and exposure to hazardous chemicals
• A friendly, efficient, positive customer service demeanor towards Central Synagogue’s members, guests, co-workers
• Ability to remain positive, calm and work independently in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment
• English proficiency strongly preferred

Other Duties:

Please note, the above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The expected salary for this position is $21.00 per hour. Central Synagogue offers an extensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our dedicated and diverse community.