Maintainer I (Facilities Services)

Inside Higher Ed; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A public research university in Massachusetts seeks a Custodian to perform general custodial duties, including cleaning and maintenance of buildings. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of cleaning methods, the ability to follow oral and written instructions in English, and the capability to handle basic cleaning equipment. The schedule is full-time, requiring 40 hours per week with specific hours from Friday to Tuesday. This position includes responsibilities for maintaining sanitary conditions and ensuring facilities are clean and attractive.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of cleaning methods used in institutions.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Capability to operate simple hand and power cleaning equipment.

Responsibilities

• Perform general custodial duties including cleaning and maintenance.
• Remove trash and recyclables from assigned areas.
• Maintain cleanliness in bathrooms and lavatories.
• Sweep, mop, strip, and wax hard floor surfaces.
• Moves furniture per room plans and assists in setup for client needs.
• Replaces light bulbs and performs basic repairs to keep equipment in good condition.

Skills

Knowledge of institutional cleaning methods

Ability to follow instructions in English

Ability to use hand and power cleaning equipment

Job description

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land‑grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450‑acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state‑of‑the‑art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Performs general custodial duties in connection with the cleaning and maintenance of a building or of an assigned area within a building in the Auxiliary Services Department. Works as a member of the team cleaning custodial program (CAPP Hillyard Rovic) which includes housekeeping, cleaning, moving furniture, and trash removal in assigned Auxiliary Services buildings.

Essential Functions

• Removes trash, recyclables, and waste from assigned areas and places receptacles at designated sites to ensure clean and sanitary conditions and the proper handling of recyclable materials.
• Washes trash, recycling and waste receptacles by scrubbing containers and rinsing with hose to provide sanitary conditions and minimize pest infestation.
• Cleans and restocks bathrooms and lavatories by cleaning and disinfecting toilets, sinks, showers, stall partitions and floor areas to ensure clean, sanitary and disinfected facilities.
• Maintains walls, ceilings, doors and horizontal surfaces by dusting and washing with detergent solutions to provide a clean and attractive facility.
• Maintains furniture by dusting, washing with detergent solution and polishing to provide a clean and attractive facility.
• Cleans glass and mirrors by washing with glass cleaning solution to provide a clean and attractive facility.
• Maintains carpeted areas by vacuuming and cleaning to prolong life of carpet and maintain a clean and attractive facility.
• Maintains hard floor surfaces by sweeping, mopping, stripping and waxing to prolong life of floor surfaces and maintain a clean and attractive facility.
• Assists in keeping exterior areas immediately adjacent to buildings clean by sweeping, removing trash, and removing snow and ice to maintain safe and attractive entrances to facilities.
• Moves and arranges furniture per specific room plans and to accommodate client needs.
• Performs simple general repairs by replacing belts, tightening screws, and cleaning the equipment to keep machinery and equipment in good working condition.
• Replaces light bulbs or fluorescent tubes to maintain a safe and well‑lit environment.
• Provides basic security functions by locking doors and windows, and reports incidents that detract from providing a clean, safe, and attractive facility.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of the methods used in institutional cleaning.
• Ability to follow oral and written instruction in English.
• Ability to use simple hand and power cleaning equipment.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, reach, twist, lift and perform repetitive movements.
• Ability to withstand the physical strain of performing manual tasks, climbing stairs, lifting, climbing ladders, and bending.
• Ability to perform manual labor for extended periods and under varying climatic conditions.

Additional Details

This position is designated as essential personnel. This includes the obligation to work overtime, to return to work between scheduled shifts when directed, and to report to work during any delays, early departures, and closures.

Work Schedule

40 hours per week; Friday‑Tuesday, 1 pm‑9 pm

Salary Information

• ASFCME Non‑Exempt Grade 09.
• Classified Step Scale

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the final stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti‑discrimination laws.

Advertised: Dec 29 2025 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: Mar 29 2026 Eastern Daylight Time