Head Custodian - 1st Shift

Knapp Forest/Orchard View; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Knapp Forest & Orchard View Elementary is seeking a Head Custodian for first shift in Grand Rapids, MI. The role leads the custodial team to keep buildings safe, clean, and functional, ensuring operations do not disrupt the education program.

Requirements include a high school diploma or GED and excellent English communication. The position includes a 40-hour work week, with on-site responsibilities and duties during events and summer maintenance.

Qualifications

• Must have High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Ability to communicate clearly in English, written and spoken
• Ability to coordinate with custodial team and maintain cleanliness standards

Responsibilities

• Coordinate workload with the custodial team to maintain high cleanliness standards
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, staff, and community
• Communicate effectively in writing and speaking English
• Supervise and train new personnel as assigned
• Maintain inventory of custodial supplies and equipment

Skills

Effective communication

Team coordination

Education

High School diploma or G.E.D.

Job description

Job Details

Job ID: 5953976
Application Deadline: Oct 21, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted: Oct 07, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: To Be Determined

Job Description

Head Custodian - 1st Shift

Knapp Forest & Orchard View Elementary

Pay Grade: Grade 9, Step 1, $20.19

Reports To: Principal/Custodial Supervisor

Schedule: 5 days per week / 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week / 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Job Summary: Responsible for maintaining the assigned district’s building(s) in such a state of operating excellence that they present no problems or interruptions to the education program. The head custodian is responsible for providing the necessary leadership to keep assigned buildings and grounds clean, safe, functional and secure in accordance with prescribed codes and established district policies and standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School diploma or G.E.D. required
• Knowledge, skills and experience necessary to complete work in an efficient manner are qualities needed to be eligible for employment as Head Custodian

Essential Job Functions:

• Work closely with team to assure proper distribution of workload to maintain high standards of cleanliness. Coordinates with the building custodial team so that regular and special assignments are completed
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and community and project a positive image for Forest Hills Public Schools
• Ability to effectively communicate in both written and spoken English language
• Ability to accept and learn new processes or techniques
• Take instructions from Principal/Custodial Supervisor verbally or in writing
• Responsible for preparation and service necessary for events and activities
• Assigns and schedules regular and extra duty times for the custodians in accordance with established procedures
• Maintains inventory of custodial/maintenance supplies and equipment
• Maintains building and grounds security by opening/closing the building each school day and during special events, as directed
• Perform and/or directs such yard chores as grass cutting, tree trimming, shovel snow, and salt walks as needed, and waste removal as requested to maintain the school grounds in a safe, clean, and attractive condition
• Be on call as needed for emergency repairs, equipment monitoring, overtime, or special needs falling outside of the normal working hours
• Required to use ladders in the course of the daily duties and personal lifts for service work of equipment and fixtures
• Projects a positive image for Forest Hills Public with his/her team, whenever the public, guests, or visitors are in the building
• Responsible for the training of all new personnel in accordance with established procedures
• Responsible for the general repair and maintenance of educational equipment, heating-ventilation units, lighting, plumbing, and other school equipment.
• Responsible to maintain an established preventative maintenance program to include associated records
• Responsible to identify and schedule work to be performed during summer and other school breaks
• There is a high probability that contact with Blood-Borne material will occur with your daily duties
• All duties and procedures are to be performed within health and safety standards or per OSHA and/or MIOSHA
• Consistent and reliable attendance
• Other duties as assigned by the Custodial Supervisor and/or Director of Operations

Physical Requirements:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and talk or hear.The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit.The employee must frequently squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and reach forward.The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp tools and climbs onto ladders.The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, such as cleaning supplies, packing and unloading trucks.Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move 80 pounds, such as salt and furniture.The employees will sometimes push/pull items such as tables, bleachers, scrubbing machines, etc.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Shall be able to perform the following physical levels:

CONSTANT:

ACTIVITY PERFORMED 67-100% of TIME PER DAY

FREQUENT:

ACTIVITY PERFORMED 24-66% or 2/3 OF DAY

OCCASIONAL:

ACTIVITY PERFORMED 10-30% or 1/3 OF DAY

RARE:

ACTIVITY PERFORMED 1-10% or 1/6 OF DAY

RARE

OCAS.

FREQ.

CONST.

FLOOR TO WAIST LIFT

100 lbs.

80 lbs.

50 lbs.

WAIST TO SHOULDER LIFT

40 lbs.

25 lbs.

17 lbs.

OVERHEAD LIFT

10 lbs.

HORIZONTAL LIFT

80 lbs.

35 lbs.

17 lbs.

7 lbs.

CARRY

Front carry

30 lbs.

25 lbs.

12.5 lbs.

PUSH

Horizontal tractive force

40 lbs.

30 lbs.

25 lbs.

12.5 lbs.

PULL

Horizontal tractive force

30 lbs.

25 lbs.

12.5 lbs.

10 lbs.

POWER GRIP

Right

19 lbs.

16 lbs.

10 lbs.

5 lbs.

Left

19 lbs.

16 lbs.

10 lbs.

5 lbs.

REACH

Overhead

Right

X

Left

X

Lateral

X

SQUAT

Sustained

X

Repetitive

X

BEND

X

HEAD/NECK

Flexion

X

Rotation

X

Static flexed position

X

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate. Work will be performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities as well.

Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

Evaluation: In accordance with the Custodial and Food Service Agreement.

Terms of Employment: The employee will remain free of any alcohol or drugs throughout his/her employment with the district as outlined in Board Policy #4210. Salary per the Master Agreement between Forest Hills Board of Education and Forest Hills Custodial and Food Service Association.

The Forest Hills Public SchoolDistrictdoes not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), marital status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally prohibited basis in its employment decisions or the provision of services.

Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: $20.19 Per Hour
Job Categories:

Support Staff > Custodian

Contact Information

• Kayla Bruley
• 620 Forest Hill Ave SE
• Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]