Custodian Substitute (Caretaker)

San Diego Unified School District; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

San Diego Unified School District is seeking a Custodian Substitute (Caretaker) to support custodial operations across multiple sites in San Diego. The role requires reliability, punctuality, and the ability to work flexible hours, primarily in morning shifts.

Candidates should be prepared to handle routine cleaning tasks, minor repairs, and maintain secure, orderly facilities. This position is paid on the district’s classified hourly salary schedule.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of modern cleaning methods, materials, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to read, write, and understand English.
• Maintain buildings and other assigned areas in a clean, orderly, and secure condition.
• Make minor repairs to buildings and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Custodian Substitute (Caretaker) at multiple sites district‑wide.
• Be available up to 40 hours per week and during 7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. shifts for assignments.
• Possess reliable transportation to work at various locations across the district.

Skills

Cleaning methods

Minor repairs

English literacy

Time management

Job description

Custodian Substitute (Caretaker)

San Diego Unified School District Various Locations - San Diego, California Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5486146

Application Deadline: Dec 18, 2026 11:59 PM (Pacific Standard Time)

Re-Posted: Jun 20, 2026 7:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

The San Diego Unified School District is currently accepting applications for the position of Custodian Substitute (Caretaker).This opportunity is open to all interested candidates.This is a continuous recruitment that will be used to establish an ongoing eligibility list for current and future hiring purposes.

OVERVIEW:

San Diego Unified School District, the second largest district in California and one of the top largest urban school districts in the United States, is looking for professionals who care deeply for students and are committed to the communities in which they serve.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Because each person is born with inherent worth and dignity, and because equitable access and opportunity are essential to a just, educated society, San Diego Unified employee commitments include being respectful of differences and diverse perspectives, and being accountable for one’s actions and the resulting impact.

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Substitute Custodian (Caretaker) involves working as a custodial substitute at all sites throughout San Diego Unified School District. The work is often strenuous and continuous. The substitute custodian must be available to work up to 40 hours per week, and be available between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every workday to receive assignments.

This position is assigned to various sites throughout this District. Therefore all Custodian Substitute (Caretakers) are required to have reliable transportation.

VACANCY / POSITION SPECIFICS:

• Working Location: Various throughout the District
• The District covers a large portion of San Diego County. Refer to the District Area Map at this Link and make sure to identify any and all specific area(s) you are interested in working in. The area(s) you identify in your application will be used for any future vacancies filled using the eligibility list from this recruitment.
• Salary: This position is paid on the Classified Hourly Salary Schedule. To view the Salary Schedule, click here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Any combination of training, experience, and/or education sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed below.

Knowledge and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Modern cleaning methods, materials, tools, and equipment.

Maintenance principles and sanitation methods.

ABILITY TO:

Read, write, and understand the English language.

Maintain buildings and other assigned areas in a clean, orderly, and secure condition.

Make minor repairs to buildings and equipment.

Plan, organize, and efficiently carry out details of a work schedule.

Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.

Communicate effectively with others.

Demonstrate personality and character suitable for working in schools.

NOTE: Your related education and experience must be clearly represented in the work history and education section of your application.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Application Process

To be eligible for consideration, interested candidates must submit the following items.Yourapplication will be considered incomplete if you do not include all required information, including completion of the Work Experience and Education Sectionsof the online application, required attachments, and responses to all application questions.

• Online employment application
  • A completed online employment application must be submitted/received electronically by the closing date. This application MUST include all required attachments, current and previous employment history and education to evaluate your qualifications, and all other requirements identified in the recruitment and application questions. It is important to note that a resume does not substitute for completing the Work Experience and Education sections.Your application will be considered incomplete if you do not include all relevant details and attachments.
  • Paper applications are not accepted.
• Answer all application questions
  • The application questions should be answered thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the entire application package) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process.
• Contact information for all previous places of employment where you served in a classified (non-certificated) position must be listed under the 'Employment History' section of the application (Senate Bill 848).? As of January 1, 2026, in accordance with SB 848 Education Code section 44051 applicants for?classified positions?are required by law?to provide a complete list of every school district, county office of education, charter school and/or state special school (also known as a Local Education Agency (LEA)) with which you have previously been employed, regardless of the length of service. The District may contact current and former LEAs at any time during the application screening process.
  • In accordance with? SB 848 and Education Code , all applicants for classified (non-certificated) positions must provide a complete employment history. Please adhere to the following:
  • List Every Educational Employer: You must include every school district, county office of education, charter school, other educational institutions, or state special school where you have been employed, regardless of your length of service.
  • HR Contact Information: In the Employer Email field, you must provide the email address for that employer's Human Resources or Personnel Office (i.e., not your direct supervisor).

  These email addresses are required to satisfy the employment verification and background requirements mandated by Education Code.

• Contact information for three references must be listed in the 'Reference' section of the application. References should be from a current or previous supervisor. Reference email requests may be sent at any time during the application screening process of this recruitment. These reference requests are not an indication of progression in the recruitment process or an interview opportunity.Written reference letters dated within the last year are also accepted and may be attached to your online application in the Reference Section.
• Attach required documents (PDF format recommended)
  • Attach Verification of Education. Education, training, or certifications will only be considered if acceptable documentation is attached. Accepted documents include:
    • Copy of a degree or official transcript
    • Copyof Licenses and/or Certifications
    • Note on Foreign Equivalency Certification. Individuals who have completed high school or college-level coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must provide a Foreign Equivalency Certification to satisfy the education requirement. A Foreign Equivalency Certification can be obtained for a fee from a professional organization. For more information, including acceptable providers, please see Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
  • Additional Documents (Optional)
    • Cover Letter / Letter of Intent
    • A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing the work history, education sections, or the additional application questions of the employment application. Providing incomplete responses or answering "See Resume" or "See Application" may automatically disqualify your application from further consideration.
    • Letters of Recommendation
    • Additional documents, if any, may be attached to the online employment application.

Examination Process

The examination process includes an application screening and evaluation based on the applicant’s education, work history, and responses to the application questions. Only applicants whose application packet demonstrates a combined education and experience which meets the minimum requirements for the position will be considered qualified and advance in the process. Some positions require applicants to pass additional components which may include one or more of the following: a multiple-choice, oral, written, or performance exam specific to the position. NOTE: Most exams are conducted remotely utilizing an online testing platform. For these exams, access to the internet and the use of a camera-ready desktop/laptop with a microphone is required to participate in these processes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

If you have questions about your application, please email [e-mail].

The San Diego Unified School District communicates information regarding the hiring process via email. Please be aware that the District is not responsible for messages blocked by your email service. In an effort to allow our emails through your personal spam filter, you can try to add the [e-mail] and [e-mail] to your safe senders list.

San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying by reason of the following actual or perceived characteristics: age, ancestry, color, mental or physical disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, immigration status, marital or parental status, medical condition, nationality, national origin, actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

For more information about equity in employment, contact:

Title II Coordinator & Uniform Complaint Compliance Officer Eric Rico: [phone], [e-mail] /Title IX Coordinator Anna Ward: [phone], [e-mail] /504 Coordinator Eri Nall: [phone], [e-mail]

Position Type: Substitute/Hourly

Salary: $20.02 to $20.02 Per Hour

Job Categories: Support Staff > Custodian

Contact Information

• Email: [e-mail]