Lead Custodian

Portsmouth Public Schools; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth Public Schools in Portsmouth, Virginia seeks a Lead Custodian to manage custodial operations and supervise staff to maintain a clean and safe school environment. The role entails training staff in cleaning procedures and enforcing safety regulations, with responsibilities across classrooms, offices, and common areas.

The position reports to the Coordinator of Operations, is non-exempt, and involves coordination of daily activities, oversight during the Head Custodian’s absence, and

Responsibilities

• Assist the cleaning function of all usable space in the school, to include classrooms, offices, laboratories, clinics, bathrooms, lockers and showers, dining areas, storage areas, mechanical rooms, halls and other common areas.
• Check the maintenance and proper utilization of supplies and equipment. Ability to calculate time for Payroll purposes when Head Custodian is absent.
• Inspect work daily to ensure proper procedures are followed. Sweep, mop, scrub, buff, strip and refinish hard floors. Vacuum and shampoo carpet, wash walls, clean windows and glass, trash removal, properly clean all areas of the school.
• Inspect the plant facilities to ensure heat, air conditioners, plumbing and lighting is operating properly. Identify and report existing or potential maintenance and safety problems via work orders to be repaired.
• Store school supplies and equipment, secure and maintain storage spaces in accordance with fire regulations.
• Communicate with the Head Custodian daily to receive information and instructions on activities, setups and various functions and events that the custodial is to support.
• Ability to effectively delegate work to all staff when Head Custodian is absent
• Perform other duties as required

Skills

Supervision

Staff Training

Safety Compliance

Facilities Cleaning

Job description

Lead Custodian

Portsmouth Public Schools Inst Resource Center - Portsmouth, Virginia Open in Google Maps

This job is also posted in Portsmouth Public Schools

Job Details

Job ID: 5925300

Application Deadline: Sep 30, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

Posted: Jun 18, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: LEAD CUSTODIAN REPORTS TO: COORDINATOR OF OPERATIONS OVER-TIME STATUS: NON-EXEMPT PAY GRADE: 102

JOB SUMMARY: Performs custodial duties and provides limited supervision of custodians engaged in maintaining the school plant in a clean and orderly condition so that full educational use of it may be made at all times. May train the custodial staff in cleaning procedures, the use of equipment and oversee the implementation of safety regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assist the cleaning function of all usable space in the school, to include classrooms, offices, laboratories, clinics, bathrooms, lockers and showers, dining areas, storage areas, mechanical rooms, halls and other common areas. Maintain entrances, sidewalks, playgrounds, hazards and potential hazards in parking lots and immediate perimeter around the school.
• Check the maintenance and proper utilization of supplies and equipment. Ability to calculate time for Payroll purposes when Head Custodian is absent.
• Inspect work daily to ensure proper procedures are followed. Sweep, mop, scrub, buff, strip and refinish hard floors. Vacuum and shampoo carpet, wash walls, clean windows and glass, trash removal, properly clean all areas of the school.
• Inspect the plant facilities to ensure heat, air conditioners, plumbing and lighting is operating properly. Identify and report existing or potential maintenance and safety problems via work orders to be repaired.
• Store school supplies and equipment, secure and maintain storage spaces in accordance with fire regulations.
• Communicate with the Head Custodian daily to receive information and instructions on activities, setups and various functions and events that the custodial is to support.
• Ability to effectively delegate work to all staff when Head Custodian is absent
• Perform other duties as required

JOB SPECIFICATIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

There are frequent interruptions, changing priorities, heavy duty lifting, extensive walking and occasional work in inclement weather (rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc). Work may require climbing, reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, and repetitive motions of hands, fingers, arms, and legs. Work may require climbing stairs/metal grate flooring. There is exposure to various amounts of dust and dirt, bodily waste (i.e. urine and feces), obnoxious odors, cleaning chemicals, heights (on occasion in excess of 72