Janitor

The Seattle Public Library; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 3,645,000 - 4,419,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

The Seattle Public Library invites applications for the Janitor position at Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle. This regular full-time role is in the custodial/janitorial unit, represented by AFSCME, offering an 80-hour biweekly schedule with noon to 8:30 pm shifts.

Salary range is $26.46 to $32.08 per hour, with benefits and a two-week pay period. As a member of a collaborative custodial team you will respond to spills, clean restrooms, sanitize spaces, assist with events, and provide

Qualifications

• At least one year of custodial/janitorial experience in a public facility.
• Effective communication and ability to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of safe use of hazardous cleaning chemicals and SDS.

Responsibilities

• Respond to spills, clogs, floods, bio-fluid clean up and graffiti removal.
• Clean high-touch areas and sanitize spaces for pathogen control.
• Maintain restrooms, offices, and public areas; dispose of trash and replenish supplies.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Safety SDS

English proficiency

Tools

Floor buffers

Pressure washers

Auto-scrubbers

Carpet extractors

Job description

Invitation to Compete #46-26: Janitor

Custodial Services, Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle

Regular, FLSA non-exempt, benefitted, full-time position (80 hours per pay period)

Salary range: $26.46 - $32.08 per hour

A pay period is two weeks in length that starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. Hours may include weekdays, weekends, and evenings. The anticipated shift for this position is 12 pm – 8:30 pm. Schedules are subject to change based on the Library’s current operational needs. This classification is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME.

This recruitment is open to the public and to The Seattle Public Library’s employees.

Candidates are asked to submit their application materials in NEOGOV by 5:00pm on October 16, 2026, to be considered.

Please note: This recruitment may be used for up to 90 days following the closing date of this posting to fill regular and temporary Janitor vacancies.

Overview

The Seattle Public Library’s mission is to bring people, information and ideas together to enrich lives and build community. We view Seattle as a city where imagination and opportunity continue to thrive. Since 1891, we have grown from a single reading room in Pioneer Square to a world‑class library system with 27 locations. The Library works every day to foster and support a healthy city and a healthy democracy. We do this work guided by the principles of intellectual freedom, literacy and the love of learning, racial equity, privacy and confidentiality, respect for the community, strong partnerships and innovation. We are an active and committed partner in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative. Library employees are highly regarded by the public for their knowledge, quality of service and caring. As a workplace, we value respectful and transparent communication, partnership and engagement. We are enriched individually and organizationally because of our diversity and growth mindset. We take time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of others.

If you share these values and meet the qualifications, the Library invites you to apply for the Janitor position.

Duties

• Respond immediately to work requests, including, but not limited to: dry or liquid spills, toilet clogs/overflows, flood clean up, bio-fluid clean up (blood, vomit, urine, feces, etc.), graffiti removal, vandalism, cleanup of drug paraphernalia (such as used needles), and other daily clean up in a public setting.
• Clean high-touch areas including ADA buttons, doors, railings, handles, switches, etc.
• Sanitize and disinfect areas for pathogen control.
• Clean restrooms, facilities, public areas and offices in assigned buildings.
• Safely dispose of trash, recycling and compost waste.
• Replenish restroom supplies.
• Wash walls and windows, dust furniture, polish metal work.
• Clean lighting fixtures, windows, windowsills, screens, tops of windows, doors frames and other areas.
• Sweep areas and remove trash outside of Library buildings.
• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies.Report safety hazards and evidence of damage and vandalism to supervisor.
• Cleaning Graffiti interior and exterior.
• Pressure washing when assigned
• Sweeping stairs once a day on your shift
• Assist with setting up rooms for events and with moving furniture or other objects on an occasional basis.
• Attend meetings and training sessions as required.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Provide customer service to library patrons and other staff.
• Support a safe work environment, the library’s mission, Community Use Agreement and Internal Organizational Values
• Assisting with event setup.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• At least one (1) year of custodial/janitorial experience in a commercial or public facility, which includes cleaning public restrooms, windows, stairs, hard floor surfaces and carpets.
• Effective communication and an ability to work efficiently and cooperatively with others in a team environment.
• Knowledge of the safe use of hazardous cleaning chemicals in a workplace and experience using Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Knowledge of bloodborne, airborne and other pathogens as they pertain to workplace safety and proper cleaning measures.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as needed.
• Basic customer service skills.
• Basic verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to follow written schedules and task assignments.
• Basic competence with Microsoft applications on desktop computers, including the ability to read and send email. Must be able to accurately complete an online timesheet using a computer.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Required to stand, walk, push, reach, pull, twist, squat and bend for extended periods of time.
• Frequently required to lift objects weighing 30 pounds or less, from ground level to overhead.
• Required to handle or work with toxic/hazardous substances.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment as directed, including masks, gloves and goggles.
• Required to work outdoors in most types of weather.
• Required to work near library patrons, including vulnerable populations.
• May be required to work overnight (a shift differential would apply).
• Going outside and sweeping and picking up trash in all weather conditions.

Desired Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of experience with hard floor care. Experience maintaining a variety of surfaces, including vinyl, various woods and concrete.
• Two (2) or more years of experience using commercial cleaning equipment, such as floor strippers, buffers, auto-scrubbers, high-speed burnishing equipment, pressure washers, steam cleaners and carpet extractors.
• Experience with setting up rooms and areas for events.
• Experience working with people who speak diverse languages and have diverse cultural identities.
• Experience pressure washing in varying weather conditions.

Benefits And Salary Information

The full salary range for this position is $26.46 - $32.08 per hour

• The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans

Information about retirement plans can be found at: https://www.seattle.gov/retirement

Additional Information

If you have questions regarding this bulletin or employment at The Seattle Public Library, please send an email to [e-mail]. The Library promotes diversity and inclusion in employment. If accommodations are needed during the selection process, please contact us. Please keep in mind that job offers are contingent on a review of criminal history as well as verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process.