Facilities Custodian — Clean, Safe, Team‑Driven

Cornell University; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking custodial staff to perform detailed, physically demanding cleaning across many campus facilities. You will work on restrooms, offices, classrooms, and lab spaces with a focus on safety and privacy for 31,000 community members.

The role requires stamina and flexibility for 1st–3rd shifts, weekends, and emergencies. Starting pay is $23.47/hour, with union protections and ongoing safety trainings.

Qualifications

• Basic proficiency in English involving reading, writing, math and verbal articulation
• Able to follow written and verbal directions involving all custodial protocol
• The desire and ability to perform detailed, varied cleaning duties, working in a dusty environment, with unpleasant odors, and with substances including bodily fluids and waste
• Able to work with a variety of industrial-rated cleaning chemicals, and be comfortable assisting with emergencies including water clean-ups
• A positive attitude and the ability to promote teamwork in a diverse working environment at all times
• Able to conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, customer service skills, and ability to work effectively within a strong team environment
• Being able to function effectively in a fast-paced service environment and adapt easily to frequent changes
• Maintaining key security, while respecting the privacy of faculty, staff and student work areas
• Must have the stamina to perform physically laborious work, lift and/or move fifty (50) pounds

Responsibilities

• Performs physically intensive and detailed custodial maintenance of Cornell's facilities in an assigned area
• Cleans and maintains restrooms, public corridors, lobbies, offices, classrooms, laboratories, lounges, kitchens, apartments, laundry rooms, and athletic locker-room facilities
• Vacuums, shampoos and extracts carpeting; scrubs, waxes, and burnishes floors; polishes furniture and woodwork; thoroughly cleans and disinfects restroom facilities
• Operates and maintains heavy‑duty power custodial equipment
• Job requires working in a dusty environment, utilizing a variety of cleaning chemicals, working around unpleasant odors, and performing emergency flood‑water clean‑ups
• Maintains key security at all times
• Performs work in close contact with the Cornell public involving 31,000 students, faculty, and staff, respecting the privacy of all customers served
• Maintains grounds in the immediate vicinity of the assigned area, by sweeping sidewalks and shoveling snow
• 39 hours per week, 1st, 2nd or 3rd shifts and days and/or weekends available.
• Subject to call‑in twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week to handle emergencies, especially snow emergencies
• Subject to shift changes and extended working hours (including nights, early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays) to meet seasonal work demand
• Subject to working in weather related extremes of heat and cold for extended periods as well as exposure to extreme dust and dirt

Skills

English proficiency

Following directions

Detail-oriented

Chemical safety

Teamwork

Professional conduct

Physical stamina

Tools

Industrial cleaning chemicals

Heavy-duty equipment

Job description

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking custodial staff to perform detailed, physically demanding cleaning across many campus facilities. You will work on restrooms, offices, classrooms, and lab spaces with a focus on safety and privacy for 31,000 community members.

The role requires stamina and flexibility for 1st–3rd shifts, weekends, and emergencies. Starting pay is $23.47/hour, with union protections and ongoing safety trainings.