Evening Custodian

Kalamazoo Public Library; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Kalamazoo Public Library is seeking a dedicated Library Assistant to perform custodial and building care duties across library facilities. Under supervision of the Custodial Manager, you will help maintain cleanliness, safety, and the grounds.

Responsibilities include cleaning, grounds maintenance, meeting room setup, responding to work orders, and overseeing hourly staff in the absence of supervisors. The role requires Michigan driver's license and ability to operate cleaning equipment.

Qualifications

• Experience in custodial/building care preferred.
• Ability to use basic computer applications such as Outlook and Teams.
• Michigan Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Cleans buildings, furnishings, and equipment to established standards.
• Maintains parking lots, sidewalks, and building entrances; handles snow and de-icer.
• Sets up meeting rooms and monitors conditions; assists meeting room users.
• Performs assigned work orders according to priority.
• Responds to typical FM needs and emergencies using established procedures.
• Oversees hourly custodians in the absence of direct supervisor.
• Performs basic plumbing, lighting, and interior finish repairs.
• Operates cleaning equipment and power tools safely.
• Opens, closes, and secures library following procedures.

Skills

Custodial experience

Job description

Position Summary

Responsible for performing a broad spectrum of facilities maintenance and custodial functions to ensure the operating excellence, cleanliness and safety of library facilities and grounds under the direct supervision of the Custodial Manager and general direction of lead custodians.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cleans buildings, furnishings, and equipment to achieve an established cleaning standard; organizes cleaning closet and supply storage areas; keeps cleaning equipment in good condition; recycles or discards trash; requests supplies and equipment repairs as needed.
• Performs routine building and grounds maintenance work: maintains parking lots, sidewalks, and building entrances; removes snow; applies de-icer; checks exterior lighting; unclogs plumbing fixtures; assembles and moves furniture, maintains equipment; performs minor carpentry and painting tasks; changes light bulbs.
• Performs meeting room set‑ups and monitors conditions; assists meeting room users as needed; secures meeting rooms after use.
• Performs assigned work order requests according to priority.
• Takes responsibility and initiative to respond to typical FM needs and emergency situations using established procedures and good judgment.
• Follows established procedures for responding to emergency alarms.
• Oversees work of hourly custodians; checks their work and ensures satisfactory work outcomes in the absence of their direct supervisor.
• Performs building maintenance functions including basic plumbing repairs, cleaning equipment maintenance, basic troubleshooting of lighting and electrical problems and interior finish repairs.
• Performs commercial floor care including hard surface stripping, waxing and buffing and specialty polishing.
• Opens, closes, and secures library following established procedures; operates security systems and lighting; checks temperatures and other building conditions before opening and after closing.
• Participates in departmental meetings, library-wide committees, and training opportunities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Specific Knowledge and Skill

• Demonstrates ability to appropriately sweep, mop, scrub and vacuum floors of buildings, using cleaning solutions, tools, and equipment.
• Demonstrates proper techniques used to disinfect sinks, toilets, windows, mirrors, walls, counters, desks, carpets, etc.
• Safely prepares, dilutes, uses, and stores cleaning products in accordance with manufacturer instructions, product labels, Safety Data Sheets, departmental procedures, required PPE.
• Demonstrates the ability to safely move, setup, arrange and/or remove furniture or other large items, either manually or using hand truck.
• Demonstrates familiarity with facility layout, power boxes and switches, plumbing cut-off valves, alarms, etc.
• Demonstrates professional knowledge of hand tools and power equipment, their proper safe use, and necessary care and maintenance.
• Demonstrates understanding of facility safety procedures and security measures.
• Demonstrates knowledge and ability to operate industry specific power equipment such as buffers, mowers, industrial wet/dry vacuums, polishers, etc.
• Demonstrates ability to neatly organize stock areas, custodial closets and cleaning carts.
• Demonstrates proper techniques used to remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways and parking areas using snowplow, snow blower, shovel and snow melting chemicals.

Physical demands and work environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is expected to travel independently within the office, patron areas of the library, and the communities served. The role requires frequent adjustment of body position (e.g., bending, kneeling, or reaching) to access various surfaces and areas. Regular lifting, carrying, or moving of items weighing up to 50 pounds is required; for heavier items, assistance, tools, or teamwork may be utilized. Duties include pushing or pulling equipment such as cleaning carts or waste bins and frequent use of hands and arms to operate cleaning tools or equipment, including mops, brooms, and vacuums. The position also involves performing tasks that require precision, such as wiping, scrubbing, or adjusting tools. Occasionally, the work may require standing on step ladders, extension ladders, or climbing vertically mounted ladders. The employee must have vision sufficient to identify areas requiring attention, read labels, and safely operate equipment. Additionally, the ability to follow directions and effectively communicate with others is essential for success in this role.
• Work environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, library spaces, and in the communities served. Some local travel outside the library is required. While performing the duties of this job outside of the library environment, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

$38,676 annually ( Entry level (or closest step to current salary for transferring employees); medical insurance; fully paid dental, vision, and long‑term disability; defined benefit retirement plan. This position is classified as a Library Assistant in the KPLSP union.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Michigan Driver’s License.
• Prior successful custodial and/or building care experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use basic computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook and Teams, and other electronic communication and file‑management tools, as needed to perform assigned duties.

Internal KPL applications are due Wedensday, Ocotber 7, 2026 at 5 pm.