CUSTODIAN

La Crosse County; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wisconsin Retirement System

County insurance plans

Vacation and sick time banks

Job summary

La Crosse County is seeking a custodial team member to maintain large public facilities and grounds, performing floor care, cleaning, and basic repairs. You will work under supervision within the Facilities Management framework to ensure safe, clean, and welcoming spaces for residents and staff.

The role emphasizes physical tasks, adherence to safety standards, and dependable teamwork across county buildings, including seasonal grounds duties and basic facility upkeep.

Qualifications

• Experience with large building cleaning/maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to follow safety practices and maintain equipment.
• Reliable and able to work under supervision in a public facilities environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning and upkeep of large public buildings and grounds.
• Maintain floors: sweeping, buffing, stripping, waxing, mopping, and related duties.
• Clean walls, doors, windows, and assist with basic repairs as needed.
• Move furniture and equipment; assist with grounds maintenance including winter/summer tasks.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety in restrooms and common areas.
• Respond to safety or maintenance requests and work cooperatively with staff.

Skills

Floor cleaning

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cleaning equipment

Ladders

PPE

Job description

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters

Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

What You’ll Gain By Joining Us

• A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation.
• Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather.
• Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day
• Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual
• Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Overview

FLSA: Non-Exempt. This is a custodial position in the Facilities Department. Employees are selected and supervised by Facilities Management. Employees in this class perform semi-skilled work in the cleaning and upkeep of large public buildings and grounds, under moderate to close supervision depending on experience. Employees in this class perform all duties incidental to large building repairs, cleaning and related tasks.

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions
• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints
• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes
• Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results
• Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth
• Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential
• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives
• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives
• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment
• Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization
• Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking
• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community
• Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes
• Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

• Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations
• Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks
• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.

Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking. Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence.

Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.

Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.

Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.

Contributes positively to an inclusive workforce.

Maintains floors including sweeping, buffing, stripping, waxing, dust mopping, mopping, vacuuming, and shampooing and other related floor care duties.

Cleans walls, doors and windows, which will involve working at heights on ladders, step stools or lift equipment. Moves office furniture, boxes and other equipment when required.

Maintains sidewalks in winter by removing snow/ice and maintains grounds in the summer by mowing grass, trimming edges, pruning trees and shrubs and watering.

Helps maintain cleaning and scrubbing equipment, grounds maintenance equipment, waste disposal equipment and other related types of equipment.

Unplugs toilets, sinks, drains and performs minor plumbing repairs and shuts off water.

Picks up and disposes of waste/trash/recycle material from various departments in the building; replenishes supplies in rest rooms and other areas.

Performs routine cleaning duties and preventative maintenance as assigned. Replaces light bulbs and checks lighting when required, at varying heights. Performs door security functions, as needed.

Receives and distributes inventory. Stocks supply rooms as needed. Helps deliver meals at Lakeview. Attends mandatory in-service meetings.

Cleans rest rooms: wipes down walls, mops floors, cleans and disinfects sinks and countertops, cleans and disinfects toilets and urinals (occasionally requires use of acid cleaner and pumice stones), dusts all surfaces and lights, cleans mirrors and plumbing fixtures, and restocks paper and hygiene products.

Works safely and follows safety practices and standards of the facility; responsible for reporting or correcting any existing or potential safety or accident hazard.

Maintains residents' rights and confidentiality of resident and customer information; reports all suspected cases of abuse to supervisor.

Employee is expected to report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave, to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.

Occasionally drives County vehicles to pick up supplies or transport people. Responsible for advising supervisor if valid driver's license and good driving record are not maintained.

May respond to page to assist with resident behavioral crisis.

Maintains cooperativeness and is accommodating when receiving requests of County officials and requests for maintenance assistance.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Physical demands: Position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching to perform cleaning tasks throughout large County facilities, including restrooms, offices, hallways, and stairwells. Work involves regularly pushing and pulling carts and cleaning equipment and frequently lifting and carrying 10–20 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds (for example, a five‑gallon bucket of floor finish) to waist level. Role requires safe use of cleaning chemicals and PPE, occasional use of ladders or step stools for high surfaces, and the ability to communicate effectively and follow written and verbal instructions. Employees may meet these requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Related Job Functions

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of floor cleaning and stripping and waxing techniques.

Knowledge in the maintenance and operation of grounds maintenance equipment.

Knowledge in the care of grounds and shrubs.

Ability to perform essential job functions, including lifting, pulling, bending, climbing and ability to work at heights.

Working knowledge of occupational hazards, safety precautions, and safety codes.

Ability to follow routine verbal and written instructions.

Ability to work under moderate supervision.

Ability to work under varying climatic conditions.

Ability to work cooperatively and harmoniously with others.

Training, Experience And Other Requirements

Preference for previous related experience in building cleaning/maintenance and grounds maintenance, but willing to train the right person.

Good work record with history of work record stability and possess traits of honesty, trustworthiness and dependability.

Good customer-service record and skills.

Preference for individuals with previous floor cleaning and stripping experience.

Valid driver's license to operate County vehicle as necessary for obtaining supplies, etc., if primarily assigned to Hillview or Lakeview.

Must pass criminal background check as required by Wisconsin Caregiver Law, if primarily assigned to Hillview or Lakeview.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Need an Accommodation?

If you require a disability‑related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at [e-mail] — we're here to help.