Custodian II

Syracuse City School District; United States; On-site; USD 28,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse City School District is seeking a Custodian II who will supervise all custodial staff and engage in cleaning and maintenance tasks across various school buildings. Candidates must have two years of relevant experience and be able to interact effectively with others.

The role includes a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, earning a starting hourly wage of $28.14. Additional pay is available for night shifts as required.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of maintenance and cleaning methods.
• Ability to supervise and plan work for subordinates.
• Good knowledge of minor maintenance repair work.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in cleaning and maintenance tasks.
• Inspect and maintain safety equipment including fire extinguishers.
• Create and manage work schedules for custodial staff.

Skills

Maintenance and cleaning methods

Supervision and planning

Communication skills

Minor repairs (plumbing, electrical)

Education

Two years custodial work experience

Job description

ABOUT OUR DISTRICT

The Syracuse City School District is undergoing a new phase of innovation and transformation with the goal of ensuring that all students graduate high school with the skills needed to be ready for college and career. For Syracuse, all means all. The School Board and Syracuse community have charged the Superintendent with improving student achievement, and she is seeking a dedicated and diverse team of educators to partner with her in moving the district toward its goals.

The Syracuse City School District represents 35 schools and programs, including 6 high schools, 6 middle schools, 6 K‑8 schools, 13 elementary schools, and 4 alternative education programs, serving approximately 19,000 students Pre‑K–12. Of these students, 82.3% qualify for free or reduced‑price lunch, 20.1% are served by the Office of Special Education, and 83% are students of color.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS ROLLING POSTING FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT FOR CUSTODIAN II

LOCATION

Locations will vary depending on availability.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for supervising and participating in the routine cleaning and semi‑skilled maintenance tasks in a school building. Work involves the supervision of all subordinate personnel engaged in the cleaning and maintenance of the building. Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher level custodian or an administrative superior.

Work is reviewed through conference, reports and on‑the‑job inspections. Supervision is exercised over a number of subordinate custodial personnel. This position involves 24 hour a day responsibility. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

• Assigns, participates in and supervises the work of subordinate employees engaged in maintenance and cleaning tasks.
• Inspects building, grounds and equipment for safety and cleanliness; performs routine inspections of school building property, belongings or inventory as directed by superiors and reports on findings.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance of fan and ventilation systems, sump pumps, emergency generators and hot water heaters by checking belts, replacing filters, assisting in major repairs and routine cleaning.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance of boilers, air compressors and air conditioning equipment by turning them on and off, checking gauges, changing filters and belts and routine cleaning.
• Requisitions, receives and distributes cleaning supplies.
• Maintains work schedules and time records.
• Receives and handles complaints and various special requests from principals and teachers.
• Supervises and participates in minor maintenance and repair on floors, walls, and ceilings of all types including painting.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance of floors by dust mopping, wet mopping, stripping, vacuuming, waxing, buffing and refinishing including all types, i.e. hardwood, tile of all kinds, terrazzo, concrete, marble and carpeted.
• Supervises and participates in the maintenance and repair on doors, locks, light fixtures, outlets, sinks, toilets, drinking fountains, windows and related equipment.
• Maintains and repairs equipment used in all phases of maintenance and cleaning activities.
• Maintains an inventory of cleaning and custodial supplies.
• Inspects and otherwise maintains fire extinguishers and other safety equipment.
• Removes trash, performs emergency cleanups.
• May shovel snow and salt walks; may mow lawns, trim grass, cut shrubs and perform other minor landscape maintenance.
• May mark athletic fields and maintain outdoor athletic equipment and playgrounds.
• May maintain swimming pool equipment.
• May arrange for special use of building as directed by school use agreements.
• May monitor spending against budgeted funds for cleaning and custodial supplies/equipment.
• May be responsible for scheduling and ensuring that custodial shifts and operations are covered during absences.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of maintenance and cleaning methods and equipment typically used in custodial work.

• Good knowledge of the operation and minor maintenance of heating and ventilating equipment.
• Good knowledge of the basic principles involved in making semi‑skilled plumbing, electrical, painting, plastering, carpentry, and mechanical repairs.
• Good knowledge of the techniques and methods of supervision involving planning, scheduling and assigning work.
• Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of subordinates.
• Ability to interact and work well with building occupants and others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Promotion: Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Custodian 1.

Open Competitive

Two (2) years of custodial work experience, or its part time equivalent, involving semi‑skilled maintenance and repair tasks such as minor plumbing, electrical and carpentry work.

* Experience in custodial work and semi-skilled maintenance can be, but does not need to be concurrent. A candidate may qualify by showing a combination of employment that includes two (2) years of work experience in cleaning (custodial) and two (2) years of work experience in semi-skilled maintenance and repair tasks.

WORKING HOURS: This position will work 40 hours per week, 12 months per year. This position is full-time. This position is non‑exempt.

SALARY: The current starting hourly July 1, 2026, for this position is $28.14 per hour per the Unit 6 contract. A pay rate would be included of $0.75 for working the night shift differential, if required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• This position will be hired provisionally. All candidates must meet the minimum qualifications on the Onondaga County Civil Service job description for this title. When the exam for this title is offered, the successful candidate must pass the exam and be reachable on the resulting eligibility list, in order to be retained.
• The successful candidate will be required to pass a fingerprint‑based background check, at the cost of $104.50 to the candidate.
• City Residents are encouraged to apply!
• The Onondaga County Civil Service job description for this position can be viewed by clicking here.