Custodian

The Seattle Public Library; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Seattle Public Library is seeking a Custodian to maintain clean and safe library facilities. You will clean public areas, restrooms, and workspaces, restock supplies, and respond to urgent cleaning requests across neighborhoods.

The role includes overnight shifts and weekend work, with a two-week pay period and schedule adjustments as needed. We value reliability, teamwork, and strong customer service as you help keep 27 library locations welcoming.

Qualifications

• Valid Washington State Driver’s License and access to a vehicle for travel between branches.
• Minimum 1 year custodial/janitorial experience in a public facility, including cleaning restrooms, stairs, floors and carpets.
• Experience providing internal and external customer service.
• Excellent time management, integrity, and ability to prioritize and schedule work.
• Ability to work alone with minimal on-site supervision.
• Knowledge of pathogens as they pertain to workplace safety and proper cleaning measures.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and manuals.
• Effective communication and conflict resolution, ability to work in a diverse team.
• Ability to lift up to 20-40 lbs. repeatedly; occasional 50 lbs.
• Able to attend in-person training or remote.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sanitize facilities, restrooms, public areas and offices.
• Restock supplies and manage waste/recycling disposal.
• Vacuum, shampoo, and spot-clean carpets; clean and buff hard floors.
• Dust fixtures; clean windows, walls, and lighting; wipe surfaces.
• Handle urgent cleaning requests during open hours across locations and overnight at times.
• Provide internal and external customer service and maintain safety standards.

Skills

Driver's license

Customer service

Time management

Independent work

Safety knowledge

Reading instructions

Communication

Lifting 20-40 lbs

Microsoft Office

Overnight/weekend availability

Tools

Cleaning equipment

Cleaning chemicals

Job description

Invitation to Compete #41-26: Custodian

Facilities and Capital Improvement Programs

Position Description

Invitation to Compete #41-26: Custodian
Facilities and Capital Improvement Programs
Regular, FLSA non-exempt, full-time position (80 hours per pay period)
Schedule: Thursday – Monday, 2am - 10:30am
Facilities and Capital Improvement Programs
Temporary, FLSA non-exempt, full-time position (80 hours per pay period)
This temporary appointment is expected to end May 5, 2027, which could be extended or end prior to the expected duration.
Schedule: This position is scheduled for shifts at 12pm – 8pm or 2am – 10:30am.
Hours will include weekdays, evenings and weekends. A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. Schedules are subject to change based on the Library’s current operational needs. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.

Salary Range: $27.64 - $33.44 per hour

This position may provide open hours reactive cleaning of neighborhood public branch libraries. Primary duties involve responding to urgent and emergent cleaning requests during open hours across the library system. This position may be scheduled to conduct routine cleaning of buildings overnight (various Seattle locations). Must be able to work weekends.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world-class library system with 27 locations.

The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative.

Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.

If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for the Custodian position.

Job Responsibilities

Primary duties for the Custodian position include cleaning and sanitizing; restocking supplies; vacuuming, shampooing, and spot-cleaning carpeted areas; cleaning, stripping, scrubbing and buffing hard surface floors; dusting; and waste/recycling disposal and collection. Candidates must be able to work efficiently, both independently and under supervision. Candidates must also be able to communicate effectively with others. Most of the time this position works independently during closed hours but occasionally works when the public is present during open hours of operation.

Examples Of Duties Include

• Cleans restrooms, facilities, public areas, and offices in assigned buildings and building areas.
• Able to check emails at the beginning of the shift to check 360 work orders.
• Responds to work requests, including, but not limited to: dry or liquid spills, toilet clogs/overflows, flood cleanup, bio-fluid cleanup (blood, vomit, urine, feces, etc.), graffiti, vandalism, cleanup of drug paraphernalia, and other day-to-day cleanup as needed in a public setting.
• Disinfects areas as directed to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious pathogens.
• Gathers and disposes of trash, recycling, and compost waste.
• Replenishes restroom supplies, washes walls and windows, dusts furniture, polishes metal work.
• Cleans lighting fixtures, windows, windowsills, screens, tops of windows, doors frames, and other areas.
• Sweeps outside areas, removes trash, litter, graffiti.
• Spot carpet cleaning and deep cleaning restrooms as assigned
• Pressure washing when assigned
• Covering multiple locations during overnight shift
• Replacing all exterior trash bins, picking up trash and blowing leaves
• Doing assigned project at branches as well as CEN
• Assisting with event setup
• Maintains supply levels
• Reports evidence of damage and vandalism
• Attend meetings, trainings as required
• Works collaboratively as part of a team
• Provides internal and external customer service
• Supports a safe work environment, the library’s mission, Community Use Agreement, and Internal Organizational Values
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Qualifications

• A valid Washington State Driver’s License and must have access to a vehicle for transporting self to and from various branch work locations. Employees are reimbursed for mileage when driving in their personal vehicles between branches and for other business operations. (Finalists will be asked to provide a current Washington State Driver’s Abstract.)
• A minimum of one (1) year commercial or institutional custodial/janitorial experience in a public facility, which includes cleaning public restrooms, windows, stairs, hard floor surfaces and carpets
• Experience providing internal and external customer service
• Excellent time management, high level of integrity and demonstrated ability to prioritize, plan and schedule own work efficiently
• Ability to work alone with minimal on-site supervision
• Knowledge and an ability to independently perform the essential functions of the job, including lifting heavy objects, use of cleaning chemicals and operating cleaning equipment using all safety measures and precautions
• Knowledge of pathogens as they pertain to work place safety and proper cleaning measures
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions in manuals, on labels, etc., or in other work related materials
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills and the ability to work efficiently and cooperatively with others in a diverse team environment
• Ability to lift up to 20-40 lbs. from floor to overhead several times in a work shift. Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Competence with Microsoft applications, especially to read and send email. Ability to review and close out electronic work requests, request supplies, and complete timesheet using computer applications.
• Ability to work overnight (shift differential applies) on weekends and weeknights. Ability to work overtime as needed (for meetings and trainings).
• Able to submit timesheet and do online training
• Able to attend in person training or remote

Benefits And Salary Information

The full salary range for this position is $27.64 - $33.44 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Retirement information can be found here: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement

Additional Information

The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us.

Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.