Custodian

Iowatravelindustry; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Museum membership after probation

Job summary

The Grout Museum District in Waterloo, Iowa, is seeking a part-time Custodian to ensure cleanliness across various spaces, including museums and event areas. This role involves everyday cleaning, event preparation, and caring for historic properties.

Ideal candidates will have prior custodial experience, a flexible schedule for evening and weekend shifts, and a friendly demeanor to enhance the visitor experience.

Qualifications

• Prior custodial, janitorial, or housekeeping experience is a plus.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and to stand, bend, kneel, and reach throughout a shift.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Responsibilities

• Keep public restrooms clean, stocked, and visitor-ready throughout each shift.
• Clean lobbies, hallways, galleries, and common areas — sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting.
• Disinfect handrails, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces daily.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cleaning and sanitizing

Customer service

Team collaboration

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Custodian — Grout Museum District — Waterloo, Iowa — Part-Time — 25 hours/week — Non-Exempt

About the Grout Museum District

The Grout Museum District is a community of museums that brings history, science, and the stories of local veterans to life for the Cedar Valley. The campus in Waterloo, IA includes the Grout Museum of History and Science, the Norris Corson Family Planetarium, the Imaginarium Science Gallery, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, the historic Rensselaer Russell House Museum, and the Snowden House event center. Behind every exhibit, event, and visit is a team that keeps our spaces clean, welcoming, and ready — and that’s where you come in.

The Role

The Grout Museum District is looking for a reliable, detail-oriented Custodian to help keep museums, offices, historic house, and event spaces clean, safe, and visitor-ready. You’ll be part of what makes a first impression stick — sparkling galleries, fresh restrooms, and a catering kitchen that’s ready to go for the next rental event. This is a part-time role, roughly 25 hours a week, with some flexibility needed to support evening or weekend rentals and special programming.

What You’ll Do

Everyday Cleaning

• Keep public restrooms clean, stocked, and visitor-ready throughout each shift
• Clean lobbies, hallways, galleries, and common areas — sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting
• Clean offices, staff areas, and breakrooms on a regular schedule
• Handle exhibit hall cleaning with care around collection objects, following guidance from our Registrar and Exhibit Developer
• Disinfect handrails, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces daily
• Spot clean walls, doors, and switch plates, and keep glass doors and partitions streak‑free
• Empty trash and recycling, restock supplies, and replace light bulbs as needed
• Keep entryways, steps, and sidewalks clear — including snow and ice removal in winter
• Lend a hand moving furniture or supplies when the team needs it

Caring for Our Historic House

• Clean and maintain the Rensselaer Russell House Museum with the extra care a historic home deserves — working around period furnishings, wallpaper, and finishes
• Follow guidance from our curatorial staff on safe products and methods for historic materials

Getting Ready for Events

• Prep rental spaces before events — clean floors, wipe surfaces, and stage restrooms
• Clean and sanitize the catering kitchen before and after rental events, keeping food‑prep surfaces, appliances, and floors up to standard
• Coordinate timing with our Rentals and Volunteer Coordinator so every space and kitchen turnaround is ready when it needs to be
• Reset spaces after events, including trash removal

Staying Connected

• Keep your cleaning schedule in sync with the Director of Operations as programming and rental needs shift
• Flag maintenance issues — damaged fixtures, spills, building concerns — as soon as you spot them
• Pitch in on event setup or breakdown, minor repairs, or other areas of the museum as needed

What You’ll Need

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred — but we’re open to the right person
• Prior custodial, janitorial, or housekeeping experience is a plus; we’ll train you on our products, equipment, and any protocols for working near collections
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds, and to stand, bend, kneel, and reach throughout a shift
• Comfort using cleaning chemicals safely and following posted protocols
• A friendly, professional attitude — you’ll be part of the visitor experience
• Successful completion of a background check

Good to Know

You’ll be on your feet and moving throughout your shift, working across our public spaces, offices, galleries, historic house, and catering kitchen — plus outdoor areas for sidewalk and entryway upkeep. Some evening and weekend flexibility is needed to support rental events, and we’ll always give as much advance notice as we can.

What Is Offered

• Pay: $15 per hour
• Schedule: Flexible
• Benefits: paid time off
• Perks: museum membership after 90-day probationary period

The Grout Museum District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.