Custodian, Night Lead I

Howard County Public School System; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Howard County Public School System is seeking a working supervisory custodial position responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of the assigned facility and grounds. The incumbent provides supervision of custodians and ensures safety protocols are followed.

Responsibilities include directing routine building and grounds maintenance, inspections for security and cleanliness, and training staff to secure buildings. Must be able to perform physical duties and respond to emergencies.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; foreign education evaluated.
• At least 6 months of custodial experience.
• Preferred: 1 year custodial experience in a school system or building maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and direct routine building and grounds maintenance.
• Perform inspections to ensure building security and cleanliness.
• Ensure custodial staff are trained to secure buildings and equipment.
• Clean buildings by sweeping, dusting, mopping, scrubbing and related tasks.
• Perform grounds maintenance including mowing and weed control.
• Move and store furniture and equipment; open and secure buildings.
• Respond to emergencies and weather-related incidents; follow safety protocols.

Skills

Supervision

Cleaning methods

Safety awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Job Posting End Date: 09-28-2026

DESCRIPTION

This is a working supervisory custodial position. An employee in this class, with technical supervision from the building supervisor, custodial manager or assistant manager and administrative supervision from a building supervisor, is responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of the assigned facility and grounds. The incumbent provides supervision of assigned custodians. Work is evaluated through observation while work is in progress and by inspection of completed assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.

Experience: Six months of experience as a custodian.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

(1) year experience as a custodian in a school system or building maintenance.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinates and directs all aspects of routine building and grounds maintenance including general cleaning, snow removal and lawn mowing.
• Performs inspections to ensure building security and cleanliness of the building.
• Ensures custodial staff is trained to secure building and equipment.
• Cleans buildings by sweeping, dusting, mopping, scrubbing, sealing, washing surfaces, vacuuming, buffing surfaces, etc.
• Performs ground maintenance by mowing, watering, sweeping and weeding.
• Moves and stores furniture and equipment.
• Removes snow and ice.
• Must be available for emergency calls.
• The employee is responsible for the use of safety devices and protective equipment in order to minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents.
• The employee is responsible for using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job.
• The employee is further responsible for correcting any conditions within the building or grounds that may be hazardous to employees, students, or staff assigned to the building and reporting same to the appropriate administrator.
• Makes custodian job assignments and ensure the completion of work.
• Performs general building maintenance to include: cleaning bathrooms, dusting, washing windows, scrubbing walls, cleaning furniture, filling dispensers, moving furniture, washing chalkboards, assists in the cafeteria, cleans trays, replace light bulbs and neon tubes, removes gum, pick up trash from floors, clean drinking fountains, and clean trash cans.
• Make minor repairs.
• Check and clean equipment.
• Open and secure building.
• Floor maintenance to include: vacuum, sweep, dry and wet mop, scrub, wax, and buff.
• Outdoor maintenance: pick-up lawn debris, shovel snow, cut grass, clean sidewalks.
• Operate cleaning equipment: vacuum cleaner, scrubber, buffer.
• Use buckets, wet and dry mops, brooms.
• Operate grass-cutting equipment.

EMPLOYEE SAFETY

The employee is responsible for the use of safety devices and protective equipment in order to minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employee is responsible for using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job. The employee is further responsible for correcting any conditions within the building or grounds that may be hazardous to employees, students, or staff assigned to the building and reporting same to the appropriate administrator.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of housecleaning methods, practices and materials used in clean maintenance operations.
• Working knowledge of equipment, supplies and practices in housekeeping management.
• Procedures and methods used to requisition supplies and maintain supply records and reports.
• Working knowledge of building maintenance to include boilers and building mechanical systems.
• Ability to make minor repairs and assemble furniture and equipment used at an assigned facility.
• Knowledge of current negotiated agreement, Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) booklet and Energy Management Program (EMP0, Automated Service Request Information Systems General (ASRIS).
• General knowledge of supervision and leadership principles.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to plan and organize work, delegate work to others, be a self-starter and motivate others.
• Provide leadership to the custodial staff.
• Strong human relations skills with students, administrators, co-workers, parents and the community.
• Ability to operate cleaning and grass cutting machines.
• Willingness to attend and participate in training sessions.
• Ability to learn and practice acceptable cleaning methods.
• Willingness to acquire skills in the operation of cleaning and grass-cutting machines used in the assigned facility.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Physical Requirements

Requires extensive walking, stooping, pushing, carrying, climbing, bending and lifting. Ability to pick up and carry 65 pounds. Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Ability to climb ladders and stairs. Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feet. The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.

WORKING HOURS

The duty day for a full-time position is 8.5 hours per day including an unpaid duty-free thirty-minute lunch. This position is designated as an “emergency employee” under the AFSCME negotiated agreement and may require a response during inclement weather and other emergencies. When work cannot be scheduled during the school year during normal hours, weekend/evening and shift work may be required as allowed by the AFSCME negotiated agreement.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience which most closely matches the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Compensation

This is a 12-month per year position in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 5 on the Custodial Salary Scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the AFSCME Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

BENEFITS

• HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
• Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing. Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [e-mail].

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind.

HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [e-mail].