Custodian - Head

Southeast Polk Community School District; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Southeast Polk Community School District's Four Mile Elementary in Des Moines, Iowa seeks a Head Custodian to lead all custodial operations from 7:00am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday. You will supervise staff, coordinate daily cleaning, and ensure safety standards across classrooms, restrooms, and common areas.

The role requires strong leadership, reliable attendance, and the ability to work with students and staff. Prior supervisory experience and knowledge of safety regulations are preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; custodian experience preferred.
• Ability to perform basic math for measurements (weight, volume, distance).
• Ability to lead and communicate rules, reports and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and complete tasks.
• Knowledge of fire safety codes and chemical handling.
• Read and transcribe numbers; understand material identifications.
• Floor maintenance knowledge: carpet, tile, terrazzo, walls/windows.
• Ability to work with staff, students and the public.

Responsibilities

• Cleans spaces to health standards; maintains equipment and areas.
• Sweep, mop, wax floors; dust furniture and equipment.
• Empty trash; transport waste to disposal areas.
• Set up chairs/tables for events; assist with activities.
• Restock supplies; request needed equipment.
• On-call for emergencies; ensure building security.

Skills

Mathematical skills

Leadership in communication

Time management

Independence and supervision

Work scheduling

Problem solving

Chemicals safety

Read numbers / transcription

Floor maintenance knowledge

Public relations

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Southeast Polk Community School District Four Mile Elementary - Des Moines, Iowa Open in Google Maps

Custodian - Head

Southeast Polk Community School District Four Mile Elementary - Des Moines, Iowa Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs

Job Details

Job ID: 5932394

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 18, 2026 3:20 PM (UTC)

Job Description

SOUTHEAST POLK COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Job Description

Job Title: Head Custodian - 7:00am-3:30pm M-F

Location: Four Mile Elementary

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent, previous experience as a custodian preferred.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical skills, such as addition, subtraction, division and multiplication to determine weight, volume and distance.
• Ability to interpret and provide work direction of rules, reports and procedure manuals in the oversight of performing assignments.
• Ability to provide leadership in the communication of information and ideas in speaking to others so they will understand both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and accomplish assigned work.
• Ability to work independently and/or lead a group of individuals in the successful completion of tasks and meet goals.
• Ability to plan and assign work schedules.
• Ability to recognize problems, determine causes, and take appropriate action for resolution.
• Ability to take direction and respond to requests in a courteous and helpful manner.
• Possess knowledge of fire safety codes and communicate with necessary stakeholders in the event of changing building conditions and/or chemicals which could be hazardous.
• Knowledge of how to safely use, post notice, and dispose of chemicals.
• Ability to perceive identification numbers marked on material; read and understand numbers and volumes; and transcribe numbers.
• Knowledge of the basic techniques of floor maintenance, including carpet, tile, and terrazzo.
• Knowledge in wall and window surface maintenance.
• Ability to work harmoniously with staff, students, and public.

Desired

• First aid certificate.
• Ability to adjust to unexpected situations.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Reports to: Director of Buildings and Grounds with work direction/input provided by Building Administrator.

Job Goal:

This person is responsible for providing and leading all custodial work in assigned buildings. Responsibilities may include assigning work schedules, sweeping and mopping floors; emptying garbage; cleaning classrooms, restrooms, and hallways, and securing the building. The professional responsibilities as shown below represent only the key areas of responsibility; specific position requirements will vary depending on the needs of the department.

Performance Responsibilities:

Duties may vary by season, grade-level and activity usage.

• Cleans and preserve designated spaces, equipment, etc., in assigned buildings so that health standards are met.
• Clean rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and/or draperies using vacuum cleaners and/or shampooers.
• Sweep, scrub, wax, and/or polish floors, using brooms, mops, and/or powered scrubbers.
• Dust and polish furniture and equipment.
• Wash window, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing as necessary.
• Empty wastebaskets and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
• Move and arrange furniture as required.
• Remove debris from driveways, garages, bus loading areas, and entrances to buildings.
• Set and take down lunch tables.
• Set up chairs for special events.
• Moves cafeteria tables within the building for special events.
• Raise and lower flag at beginning and end of day when applicable.
• Fill in for other shift custodial absence as required by Administration.
• Makes recommendations to improve service and ensure more efficient operation.
• Examines building and reports the needs for repairs of failed equipment.
• Request repair work as discovered and report needs immediately for maintenance.
• Keep equipment and work area clean and neat.
• Perform minor adjustments and repairs as needed.
• Follows the chain of command as required.
• Restock disposable items and provide inventory usage and data.
• Requests supplies and equipment to complete required cleaning.
• Assist visiting public utilizing the facilities with directions within the building and in obtaining and setting up equipment.
• Reports to work each day neat and clean.
• Works in all types of weather conditions.
• Must be able to get along with a great variety of people.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Manages ones' own time efficiently and the time of others.
• Attend in-service training and school meetings as directed.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, loyalty, cooperation, teamwork, attendance and safety.
• Sort clothing and other articles, load washing machines, and fold dried items.
• Maintains good public relations with students, parents, faculty and community.
• Assign cleaning and maintenance responsibilities to custodial staff.
• Assist teaching staff, coaches, adult education, and building rental groups in operation of school activities.
• On call for emergency situations.
• Responsible for the security and safety of the building.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

• Certification of good health signed by a licensed physician.
• Must be able to work with interruptions frequently during a work shift.
• Must be capable of walking/standing constantly.
• Must be capable occasionally of lifting up to 50 pounds to waist level.
• Must be capable carrying 40 pounds up 13 steps as many as 50 times per month.
• Must be capable occasionally of carrying 25 pounds at waist level for a distance of 100 feet.
• Must be capable occasionally of using 10 pounds-force to fold, then pushing cafeteria tables up to 50 feet.
• Must be capable occasionally of climbing 8 steps of a portable ladder.
• Must be capable occasionally of climbing 12 steps of a fixed ladder and setting foot on roof.
• Must be capable occasionally of pushing 50 pounds-force to relocate portable inside bleachers.
• Must be capable occasionally of operating a buffer/scrubber for up to 1 hour at a time.
• Must be capable frequently of using wet/dry mops for up to 30 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable of performing circular motion tasks with the hands for upward of 10 minutes, such as washing/dusting white boards, black board, windows, furniture, etc.
• During winter months, must be capable of operating a single-stage snow thrower or shoveling snow for up to 1 hour at a time.
• Must be capable frequently of operating a vacuum machine for up to 1-1/2 hours at a time.
• Must be capable frequently of squatting for up to 2 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable occasionally of bending over for up to 3 minutes at a time.
• Must be capable occasionally of lifting staging sections requiring 55 pounds-force with hands placed at 48 inches above floor.
• Must be capable occasionally of pushing wrestling mat sections onto portable carts with 75 pounds-force.
• Must be capable occasionally of pushing folding chair portable cart requiring 70 pounds-force, then lifting folding chairs weighing 5 pounds from two-tier portable cart to floor.