Custodian - Operations / Facilities Department

International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC); Muscle Shoals (AL); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) seeks a part-time custodial consultant for their Muscle Shoals, Alabama facilities. The role covers clean, sanitize, and restock offices, restrooms, and common areas in a schedule focused on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday within normal business hours.

You will maintain safety-driven cleaning standards, follow written checklists, and coordinate with IFDC staff to ensure a clean, welcoming work environment for staff and visitors.

Qualifications

• Prior custodial, janitorial, housekeeping, or commercial cleaning experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently, follow written checklists and color-coded zone maps, and complete duties consistently.
• Knowledge of safe cleaning, sanitation, chemical handling, and proper use and care of PPE.
• Ability to perform routine physical custodial duties, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and moving ordinary cleaning supplies.
• Reliability, attention to detail, discretion, and professional conduct in an occupied workplace.
• Availability to work 10-12 hours per week during IFDC business hours, generally across Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Ability to communicate hazards, maintenance concerns, supply needs, and schedule issues to the designated IFDC supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Maintain sanitary, orderly, and ready-to-use offices, restrooms, hallways, common areas, breakrooms, conference rooms, and designated pilot plant areas.
• Clean main building and pilot plant restrooms; restock supplies; ensure readiness.
• Sweep, mop, or vacuum zones on Mon/Wed/Fri; remove dirt, stains, fingerprints, and cobwebs.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces, interior glass doors, furniture, fixtures, and shared equipment.
• Complete breakroom, kitchen, conference room, lobby, foyer, and stairwell cleaning per schedule or as needed.
• Report safety hazards, maintenance needs, supply shortages, and incomplete tasks promptly to IFDC management.
• Complete event cleanup and other custodial tasks within agreed weekly hours.

Skills

Custodial experience

Independent worker

Safety aware

Physical stamina

Reliable

Clear communicator

Job description

About IFDC

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth. We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

About IFDC

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth. We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Our Values

We Are Guided By Four Core Principles

Collaborate

We work across teams, countries and partners to create lasting impact.

Innovate

We apply evidence and continuous learning to design practical and responsible solutions.

Include

We promote equity and meaningful participation for women, youth and underrepresented groups.

Act with Integrity

-We steward resources responsibly, uphold transparency and remain accountable to the communities, partners, staff and donors who place their trust in us.

About Project/Program

The IFDC Headquarters Operations/Facilities function supports a safe, clean, and professional workplace for staff and visitors. This consultancy will provide part-time custodial services for the IFDC Headquarters Main Building and Pilot Plant in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The assignment is structured for approximately 10-12 hours per week during normal business hours, with services organized around the established Monday, Wednesday, and Friday cleaning zones and checklists.

Scope of Services

The Consultant Will Maintain Sanitary, Orderly, And Ready-to-use Offices, Restrooms, Hallways, Common Areas, Breakrooms, Conference Rooms, And Designated Pilot Plant Areas. Services Will Include The Following Outcomes

• Empty trash receptacles in the Main Building and Pilot Plant and remove labeled waste during each scheduled visit;
• Clean and sanitize all seven Main Building restrooms and both Pilot Plant restrooms, restock supplies, and ensure they are ready for use;
• Clean assigned Monday, Wednesday, and Friday zones by sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming, and remove visible dirt, debris, stains, fingerprints, wall marks, and cobwebs;
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, interior glass doors, accessible furniture, fixtures, and shared equipment as appropriate;
• Complete breakroom, kitchen, conference room, lobby, foyer, and stairwell cleaning duties according to the applicable schedule or as needed;
• Report safety hazards, maintenance needs, supply shortages, and incomplete tasks promptly to IFDC management;
• Complete event cleanup and other reasonable custodial tasks upon request within the agreed weekly hours.

Requirements

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Prior custodial, janitorial, housekeeping, or commercial cleaning experience preferred;
• Ability to work independently, follow written checklists and color-coded zone maps, and complete duties consistently;
• Knowledge of safe cleaning, sanitation, chemical handling, and proper use and care of personal protective equipment;
• Ability to perform routine physical custodial duties, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and moving ordinary cleaning supplies;
• Reliability, attention to detail, discretion, and professional conduct in an occupied workplace;
• Availability to work 10-12 hours per week during IFDC business hours, generally across Monday, Wednesday, and Friday;
• Ability to communicate hazards, maintenance concerns, supply needs, and schedule issues to the designated IFDC supervisor.

Key Deliverables

The Consultant Will Be Responsible For Delivering The Following

• Complete cleaning checklist for each scheduled visit, with any incomplete item documented and reported.
• Clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms at the Main Building and Pilot Plant on each scheduled service day.
• Complete weekly zone cleaning for the Research area on Monday, Accounting area on Wednesday, and Front area on Friday.
• Complete Pilot Plant custodial checklist on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Timely notification of hazards, repairs, damaged items, unusual conditions, and supply replenishment needs.
• Monthly or as-needed cleaning of designated conference rooms, vacant offices, glass, stairwells, and other areas identified on IFDC cleaning maps.

Location and Duration

Location: IFDC Headquarters, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, including the Main Building and Pilot Plant. Schedule: Approximately 10-12 hours per week during normal IFDC business hours, generally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Anticipated duration: Initial 12-month engagement, subject to performance, funding, and renewal approval. Start date will be confirmed following completion of recruitment and contracting requirements.

Reporting and Work Relationship

The consultant will report to the Operations & Facilities Associate, or another IFDC Operations/Facilities representative designated in writing. The consultant will coordinate with Operations/Facilities staff and building occupants as needed to complete scheduled work while minimizing disruption to normal business activities.

Payment Fees and Terms

Payment will begin at $18.00 per hour for approved hours worked. The expected workload is 10-12 hours per week, for an estimated weekly amount of $180.00-$216.00. At 52 weeks, the estimated annual range is $9,360-$11,232. Payment will be based on approved time records or invoices and will not exceed agreed hours without prior written authorization. Any taxes, insurance, or other consultant obligations will be handled in accordance with the final agreement and applicable IFDC requirements.

Diversity Clause

IFDC is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.

Required Skills

Required Experience