Custodian I

Missouri State University; Springfield (MO); On-site; USD 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri State University is seeking a Custodian I to provide semi-skilled custodial services across campus facilities. Responsibilities include cleaning floors, carpets, furnishings, restrooms, and windows, moving furniture for events, and preparing rooms for classes and activities.

The position requires at least one year of custodial experience, ability to lift up to 75 pounds regularly, and reading English to follow work orders.

Qualifications

• At least one year of custodial experience is required.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 75 pounds regularly and 100 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to read English to understand work orders and product instructions.

Responsibilities

• Performs regular floor and stair cleaning using manual tools or powered floor machines.
• Cleans carpeted areas and upholstery using extractors and vacuums.
• Cleans and maintains classroom and office furnishings and fixtures.
• Cleans lavatories and restrooms to ensure sanitary conditions.
• Cleans interior walls and glass surfaces; removes trash and recyclables.
• Assists with setup for events and special activities as needed.
• Responds to emergencies and reports safety concerns.

Skills

Floor maintenance

Carpet maintenance

Furniture handling

Cleaning procedures

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees? No, Position is available to all applicants.

Appointment Type Full Time Regular

Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt

General Function The Custodian I performs semi-skilled custodial services for University facilities following established procedures and guidelines in the maintenance of buildings, classrooms, offices, lavatories and restrooms, and associated areas, their furnishings and equipment using manual tools and electrically-powered machines. The Custodian I also moves furniture and equipment for cleaning or for special events which may require carrying and erecting tables, chairs, stages, podiums, sound shells, and similar items indoors and out-of-doors. The work performed by Custodian I includes the removal of snow and/or ice from exterior entrances, walkways and sidewalks.

Description of Primary Duties

• 1. Performs regular, scheduled, and directed floor and stairs maintenance by using manual tools and equipment or operating powered floor machines to sweep, vacuum, and mop floors and stairs, and strip and wax floors according to prescribed guidelines or specific directions.
• 2. Performs regular, scheduled, and directed carpet and upholstery maintenance by using manual tools and equipment or operating powered carpet extractors, shampooers, vacuums, back pack vacuums, and using upholstery tools according to prescribed guidelines or specific directions.
• 3. Cleans building furnishings (which may require limited moving of those furnishings) within assigned area by dusting, washing, and/or polishing office furniture and equipment such as desks, chairs, tables, word processing cabinets, bookcases, file cabinets, end tables, lamps, handrails, heat and air conditioning registers, trophy cases, ash stands, and similar fixtures.
• 4. Ensures that lavatories, restrooms, showers, and locker rooms are clean and sanitary by following prescribed procedures for sweeping, washing and/or scrubbing the restrooms, using specific chemicals for foaming and/or disinfecting facilities, restocking all appropriate paper products, refilling soap dispensers, replacing sanitary disposal liners, and removing all trash and waste products from lavatories and restrooms.
• 5. Cleans classroom or meeting room furniture and equipment (if classrooms or meeting rooms are part of assigned area) by dry dusting blackboards and erasers and/or washing whiteboards, re-aligning classroom desks and/or tables and chairs, dust-mopping and damp-mopping hard surface floors or vacuuming carpeted floors, and collecting and removing all trash and waste products from the classrooms.
• 6. Cleans interior walls by removing adhesive tape, thumb tacks, paper pins, staples, and similar items, and washing and scrubbing (if necessary) the walls with prescribed wall cleaners to remove stains and graffiti.
• 7. Washes all interior and lower level exterior glass, including windows, mirrors, and door glass by using pressure washers, foaming equipment, extension poles, ladders, glass cleaners, squeegees, and/or paper wipes according to prescribed guidelines or specific directions for use of the cleaners.
• 8. Removes all trash from assigned areas by collecting trash from various trash containers and receptacles, transporting the trash to designated outside trash dumpsters, and emptying the trash into the dumpsters.
• 9. Removes all recyclable materials from assigned areas by collecting the recyclable materials from the various labeled containers, transporting the recyclable materials to designated outside recycling dumpsters, and emptying the recyclable materials into the dumpster, ensuring that the dumpster is locked when after dumping.
• 10. Uses cleaning chemicals properly and safely by wearing prescribed protective clothing, masks, and/or rubber gloves and boots, following either written or verbal directions for mixing chemical compounds according to specifications, applying the cleaning chemicals properly on surfaces or items designated for their use, and disposing of residual chemical products as directed or storing and labeling them for future use.
• 11. Unloads delivery trucks or picks up cleaning supplies from the custodial storeroom or from commercial vendors for immediate or future use by manually lifting the cleaning supplies and carrying and/or transporting them using a two-wheel hand truck (or vehicle) to the designated storage facility.
• 12. Prepares classrooms, meeting rooms, auditoriums, arenas and outdoor locations for special events and activities by moving existing furniture and tarping floors (if necessary), and setting up (erecting) equipment, tables, chairs, portable steps, stages, podiums, curtains, sound shells, and other specifically requested items following set-up plans, diagrams, or verbal instructions.
• 13. Assists in preventing accidents resulting from snow or ice covered walkways by shoveling or sweeping snow or ice from sidewalks and entrances, and spreading salt, sand or chemicals within the assigned area.
• 14. Responds to emergency situations that may cause property damage, personal injury or both such as water leaks, flooding, overflowing restroom fixtures, accidents resulting in the appearance of bodily fluids (blood, vomitus waste, urine), broken window and door glass, by following the procedures prescribed for handling each emergency situation within the capability to respond.
• 15. Performs a measure of building, facilities, and contents protection and security by checking assigned areas, building, and facilities for safety and security, locking/unlocking designated office and work areas, and notifying proper authorities when security of the assigned building, facilities, or contents is in jeopardy.
• 16. Reports damage to buildings, facilities, furnishings and equipment, as well as emergency conditions beyond the capability to handle by contacting either the immediate supervisor or (if not available) the Office of Safety and Transportation (if available on that campus) immediately upon discovery, and describing the specific conditions.
• 17. Depending on departmental assignment, may replace interior or exterior light bulbs using ladders, lifts, or other tools, use special disposal/recycling methods appropriate for various bulb/lamp types, make beds, collect and distribute towels and linens, supply rooms with soap, drinking glasses, etc., operate commercial or household style washers, driers, and irons, assist with mattress, drapery, or upholstery repairs, and/or perform cleaning, bulb replacement, flood remediation in student living areas.
• 18. Depending on departmental assignment, may clean outdoor entryways, loading docks, or areas around dumpsters requiring both hand tools, such as shovels or rakes and power equipment such as scrubbers or pressure washers.
• 19. Performs routine maintenance of custodial equipment such as belt or bag replacement, emptying collection receptacles or bags, and cleaning and providing proper storage of equipment.
• 20. May provide information on the location of campus buildings to students, staff, parents, etc. and/or advise same of potentially unsafe conditions.
• 21. Contributes to the overall success of the assigned department by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The University reserves the right to gill the vacancy as Custodian Apprentice or Custodian I. The Custodian Apprentice pay grade 20 is $15.00 per hour. Custodian Apprentice job description can be found at https://www.missouristate.edu/Human/JobDescriptions/8010.htm

Education: Completion of the 10th grade is required. However, significant custodial experience beyond that required for the position may be substituted for the required formal education. A high school diploma or the equivalent is preferred.

Experience: At least one year of experience in custodial services, which includes knowledge of cleaning procedures, equipment and supplies, is required.

Skills: Must be able to read English language sufficiently to understand written work orders and instructions as well as directions for the proper mixture, use, and disposal/storage of cleaners, solvents, chemicals, and similar products used in custodial services.

Effort: Requires the ability to lift and carry custodial supplies and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds on a frequent basis and up to 100 pounds on an occasional basis, prolonged walking or standing and frequent bending, stooping, and reaching on a daily basis. Requires a full range of physical motion in order to operate manual and electrically-powered cleaning equipment and machines to include snow shovels. Requires the ability to access facilities and areas that may only be accessible by climbing ladders or stairs, bending, reaching on top of partitions, cabinets, bookcases and ledges, moving furniture, supplies, equipment, or office machines. Must be able to move throughout assigned areas, as work is performed indoors and out-of-doors. Some positions in this job classification (job title) are designated as essential employees who must report to work as scheduled when University offices are closed due to severe weather; the supervisor will communicate whether the particular position is considered essential and under what situations.

Other: Positions associated with this position classification may be located in facilities requiring the position to be designated “sensitive” as defined by University policy. Positions associated with this position classification may include job duties, responsibilities, or activities that are subject to export control regulations. The scope of the job requires exposure to and use of chemical compounds for cleaning which may be hazardous and/or cause injury if specific instructions regarding their mixture, application and use are not properly followed.

Additional Qualifications

Open Date 07/22/2026

Non-Discrimination Statement

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America. The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, [e-mail] , 417-836-4252.

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.