Custodian - (6:00am - 2:30pm)

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental insurance

Retirement program

Paid vacation

Sick leave

9 paid holidays + discretionary day

Educational opportunities

State of Kansas discounts

Job summary

University of Kansas is seeking a Custodian to perform routine cleaning and maintenance across offices, classrooms, and facilities. The role includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting, restroom sanitizing, and floor care with stripping/waxing as needed, following safety procedures.

The position offers a steady Monday–Friday schedule from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm, with a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement, and insurance options.

Qualifications

• Lift up to 30 pounds frequently.
• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Frequent bending, stooping, and kneeling.

Responsibilities

• Vacuums, mops, and cleans offices/classrooms; empties trash.
• Maintains floors by stripping/waxing as needed.
• Cleans and disinfects restrooms; replenishes supplies.
• Cleans entrances, exteriors, and windows; assists with snow removal.
• Follows safety procedures and reports maintenance needs.

Skills

Lifting ability

Overtime willingness

Extreme temperature tolerance

Tools

Vacuum cleaners

Floor scrubbers

Polishing machines

Burnishers

Job description

Position Overview

The Custodian position involves performing routine custodial tasks in a designated area. Responsibilities include sweeping and mopping floors, vacuuming carpets, dusting and cleaning offices and classrooms, and disinfecting restrooms. Additionally, this role requires stripping, waxing, and polishing floors and furniture, as well as collecting and removing trash.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 6:00 am to 2:30 pm

Facilities Services within KU Operations plays a vital role in maintaining an inviting and safe campus environment that supports teaching, learning and research. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions.

KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.

• up to 176 hours of paid vacation per year
• 96 hours of sick leave earned per year
• nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day
• a retirement program
• medical & dental insurance
• life and disability insurance
• other benefit plan options
• State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

KU is unable to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Job Description

40% - Office, Classroom and Facilities Maintenance: Vacuums, bonnets and extracts carpeted areas using appropriate equipment and chemicals. Dust mops clean tile floors, wet mops stains and spots on tiled floors using paid method and semi-automatic scrubbers. Empties trash, using special care in research and lab areas, cleans containers and replaces liners. Dusts furniture, blinds and other surfaces. Cleans glass, ledges, chalk and dry marker boards. Some work locations require attention to bio-hazards.

15% - Hallways, Stairways, Elevators, Entrances and Exteriors: On resilient surfaces, dust mops, scrubs and burnishes with a variety of specialized equipment. Wet mops spots and stains on tiled areas and floor mats. Spot cleans walls, doors, carpets, jams, and kickplates. Washes windows and rails. Dusts and polishes surfaces. Cleans fire extinguishers cases and reports damaged and/or missing equipment to the supervisor. Cleans display cases, drinking fountains, furniture, etc. Cleans exterior entrances daily, removing snow and ice when necessary. Checks and maintains exterior areas, handicap access ramps and equipment, elevator cabs and doors, etc.

15% - Floor Maintenance: Strips floors, chemical detergent scrubs in non-carpeted areas. Burnishes tile floors, bonnets and deep extracts carpeted areas, cleans and maintains specialty floors such as wood, cork, quarry tile, etc. using a variety of automatic equipment. Follows associated safety procedures in order to avoid injury to self, others, and equipment damage.

15% - Restroom/Shower Cleaning: Cleans and disinfects sinks, stools, urinals, sanitary napkin receptacles and trash containers. Cleans and polishes fixtures, wet mops floors, dusts and cleans all surfaces. Replaces soap and paper goods. Cleans floor drains and adds water according to established schedule. Scrubs walls, detergent scrubs floors with semi-automatic scrubbing equipment. Acid cleans urinals and toilets. All work is performed following standard procedures and safety precautions.

5% - Supplies, Chemical and Equipment Maintenance: Cleans and performs minor maintenance on hand tools and mechanized equipment such as burnishers, scrubbers, dry/wet vacuums, etc, reporting equipment malfunctions or repairs that are not minor to supervisor. Remains knowledgeable concerning proper use and purposes of chemicals, the proper mixing of chemicals, and associated safety procedures in order to avoid injury to self, others, and equipment damage.

5% - Other Related Work: Includes but is not limited to locking and unlocking building doors, assisting in other areas/buildings with special university events and emergencies. Reports building repair needs and concerns to supervisor. Reports and turns in all found items according to established policy. Raises and lowers flags in certain university buildings and areas. Participates in training sessions and in-service classes. Participates in departmental staff meetings and committees as assigned. Assists with snow removal and surface treatment.

5% - Performs other related work as assigned.

Position Requirements

1. Ability to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds frequently and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally with or without accommodation.
2. Ability to bend, stoop and/or kneel frequently.
3. Ability to work on step ladders.
4. Physical strength sufficient to stand the strain of working long hours at custodial tasks.
5. Willingness and ability to work overtime as needed.
6. Willingness and ability to work under a variety of extreme temperature and weather.

Required Qualifications

None required

Preferred Qualifications

1. Knowledge of materials, methods, and practices used in cleaning operations.
2. Custodial experience in large residential or commercial buildings.
3. Knowledge of and experience with the operation, use, and care of vacuum cleaners, floor scrubbing machines, polishing machines, and other janitorial equipment.
4. Advanced training in custodial and high-volume cleaning operations.
5. Experience interacting with customers and/or the public.

Advertised Salary Range

$18.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday September 14, 2026