PHS Custodian

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation; Kentucky; On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

A local school district is seeking a Custodian responsible for maintaining cleanliness and operational standards in school buildings. Key duties include cleaning, sanitizing, and supplying areas, as well as assisting with event setups and ensuring a safe environment for students and staff. Applicants should possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. This position requires a high school diploma and a commitment to safety and quality service. Join our dedicated team to help create a supportive educational atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Must be able to communicate effectively with students and staff.
• Ability to read safety instructions and write routine reports.
• Must pass criminal history and child abuse clearances.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanliness of school buildings and surroundings.
• Collect and dispose of trash in assigned areas.
• Disinfect high-touch areas to maintain a sanitary environment.
• Ensure all supplies are stocked and available.
• Assist in setup and cleanup of school activities.

Skills

Excellent attendance

Time management

Attention to detail

Basic communication

Ability to work independently

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Cleaning chemicals

Job description

Position Information

Position Type: Maintenance/Custodial/Custodian

Date Posted: 1/14/2026

Location: All Schools

Position: CUSTODIAN

Work Group: Custodian

Reports to: Director of Custodial Operations, Assistant Director of Custodial Operations, Director of Facilities, Associate Director of Facilities, Supervisor(s), and Building Administrator(s).

Evaluation: After 90‑days, annually thereafter

Schedule: Monday – Friday

SUMMARY

Maintain the school buildings so that they are in a state of operational excellence, cleanliness, and safety and that there are no problems or interruptions to the educational process. Keep all assigned areas neat, clean, orderly, well stocked, and sanitary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collect/dispose of trash, and replace can liners, wipe out waste cans in classrooms, offices, and hallways daily.
• Clean/ vacuum/ mop entrances and hallways in your area.
• Clean, sanitize, and disinfect all high‑touch areas and straighten desks and chairs.
• Clean and disinfect student desks or table tops daily.
• Vacuum carpeted areas and clean spills of any kind from the carpet immediately.
• Dry/wet mop or scrub with machine non‑carpeted areas.
• Keep the doors and glass clean at all times (windows inside and outside) and mirrors.
• Keep all ledges and shelves dust‑free, remove cobwebs, dust flat surfaces, vertical and horizontal.
• Clean blackboards, whiteboards, and trays daily.
• Dust televisions, computers, and monitors weekly; more often if necessary. Keep the area around and under computers dust‑free.
• Clean all display cases on top and underneath in your area as needed.
• Keep all walls, windows, doors, cabinet fronts, and other vertical surfaces in your area clean, graffiti and dust‑free.
• Keep drinking fountains in your area clean and sanitized.
• Remove all recycled materials and put them in the recycle container outside the building.
• Periodically clean the rubber baseboard molding.
• Clean and store custodial equipment properly and report any problems with it to supervisor(s) for maintenance or repair.
• Clean and maintain custodial carts, and closet(s) neatly orderly.

Restroom Cleaning Includes

• Clean all fixtures daily with approved disinfectant cleaner.
• Sweep and mop floors daily using disinfectant cleaner.
• Wipe clean walls and partitions daily using disinfectant cleaner.
• Periodic de‑liming of fixtures with approved products.
• Survey and clean ceilings of foreign substances as required.
• Keep paper and soap supplies filled at all times.
• Keep all chrome, stainless steel fixtures, and mirrors clean and shiny.
• Remove graffiti from stall walls and report any damage immediately.

Opening Responsibilities

• Enter the security code to disarm the building.
• Punch in and out properly at the beginning and end of your shift, and anytime you leave the property during your shift.
• Turn on lights according to the energy conservation program and building needs.
• Set up and take down traffic cones & signs for student drop‑off in the morning and in the afternoon. If applicable (in some schools, the second shift custodians pick them up in the afternoon).
• Remove dirt, leaves, or snow from entrances/sidewalks and apply salt as necessary. Complete snow ice log.
• Put up the flag(s).
• Check the parking lot and ground for trash and/or inappropriate items or graffiti, and empty outside trash cans.

Activities Set‑Up, Break‑Down, and Clean‑Up

• Check the school calendar or activity sheets for setups, tear‑downs, etc.
• If needed, set up, break down, and clean up before and after activities.
• Monitor, unlock, and lock doors as necessary for events and activities.

Other Duties

• Carry radio and or pager for complete communications and respond when called.
• Check emails daily as necessary for new communications.
• Contact the Building Administrator, Director of Custodial Operations, Assistant Director of Custodial Operations, Director of Facilities, Associate Director of Facilities, or Supervisor(s), when in need of assistance.
• Police restrooms replenish supplies, toilet paper, and paper towels as needed.
• Assemble equipment and perform minor repairs/installations as needed.
• Replace ceiling tiles and light bulbs as needed.
• Check all windows, doors, and lights, arm building as necessary before leaving, if applicable.
• This position requires excellent attendance, punctual arrival, clean attire, and a friendly appearance.
• Follow up on custodial assignments to verify areas were cleaned and prepared, compliment or provide constructive criticism to correct problems. Always follow up critique of other custodians with an email to the direct supervisor.
• Re‑emphasize what chemicals to use and how to properly and safely use them. Make sure chemicals are properly labeled.
• Coordinate and organize summer cleaning in the building using a calendar to map it out and keep track of progress.
• Perform preventative maintenance as needed and communicate building needs/problems to the Building Administrator(s), Director of Custodial Operations, Assistant Director of Custodial Operations, Director of Facilities, Associate Director of Facilities, and Supervisor(s) as necessary.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and monitor the fire panel. Run fire drills and other required monthly and annual drills as directed.
• Take water samples one time per week, if applicable.
• Take water meter readings, sewage readings, and rain amount readings daily, if applicable.
• Check the fuel level generator weekly. Fill water softener salt in the tank once a week or as necessary, and close the work order into FMX when it is completed.
• Check HVAC and change filters as necessary or as directed by the Director or Assistant Director of Facilities, and close the work order in FMX when it is completed. Note in FMX if the filter should be changed more or less often.
• Complete maintenance work orders into the FMX work order system and keep track to make sure work is completed.
• Complete supply orders as needed utilizing the supply order form shared by supervisors.
• Unload or load trucks with deliveries and for returns.
• Conduct monthly playground equipment inspections on the last day of the month and complete/submit the report form online.
• Complete the monthly Safe Facilities Inspection checklist and forward it to the Assistant Director of Custodial Operations by the 15 th of everymonth.
• Check fire extinguishers monthly, initial and date tags, check security lighting and exit signs monthly. Report that all three (3) monthly checks have been completed, and that you have filed paper or electronic versions of each for inspection.
• Inspect the Roof monthly and close the work order in FMX when it is completed, and note any findings if necessary in FMX.
• Knowledge of the boiler system. Sound normally, looks, water, warning lights.
• Follow energy conservation guidelines as outlined by the Energy Education Manager for energy start‑up and shut‑down procedures.
• Snow removal to ensure the school is ready to open: remove snow and salt, main entrance, all walkthroughs, sidewalks, and playgrounds: using a tractor, snow blower, shovel, etc.
• Check during the school day and apply ice melt to sidewalks and parking lots as needed. Note on log form.
• The head custodian is the first one to be called for a fire or burglar alarm, and they need to go and check the building with the fire department or police.
• The head custodian is responsible for doing winter inspections as requested or finding a substitute to do it when they are unable to complete this duty.
• Assist staff, patrons, parents, and community members throughout the day as needed – superior customer service and public relations are expected.
• Bring in newspapers and unlock the courtyard gate, if requested.
• Deliver warehouse, UPS, US Postal Service, semi‑delivery, etc. to proper location daily, if requested.
• Obey all federal, state, and local laws and the policies, procedures, and guidelines of the Penn‑Harris‑Madison School Corporation.
• Participate in outside training opportunities when available to further improve personnel knowledge of this position.
• Follow other directives from the Building Administrator, Custodial Operations Manager, Facilities Director, Associate Facilities Director, or Facilities Supervisor(s) that fall within the duties of custodian and that serve to improve services to the students and patrons of the Penn‑Harris‑Madison School Corporation.
• Communicate and coordinate with second‑shift custodians to ensure the building is in a state of operating excellence, cleanliness, and safety so that it presents no problems or interruptions to the educational program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Language Skills – Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with custodians, teachers, staff, parents, students, and visitors.
• Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Reasoning Ability – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and community.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Good time management skills and ability to prioritize work and give exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent work habits, attendance record, and must complete and pass all criminal history and child abuse clearances.
• Shall remain free of any alcohol or non‑prescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the Corporation.

Physical Ability

• 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 frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee frequently must 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, pails, and unloading trucks. Occasionally the employee will lift and/or move up to 90 pounds such as salt and bulk furniture. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables, bleachers, and scrubbing machines. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Sensory Requirements

All tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Most tasks require oral communication ability.

Environmental Factors

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors and will occasionally work outdoors. The employee will work near or with moving equipment. The employee may work with toxic or caustic chemicals such as petroleum products, degreasers, cleaning chemicals, and sprays while performing the duties of this job. The employee must be able to meet deadlines with severe time constraints, prioritize, and deal with multiple requests or assignments simultaneously. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Mental Effort

Normal concentration/intensity, which includes prolonged mental effort with limited opportunity for breaks. Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is measurable or verifiable.

Job Description Updates

When duties and responsibilities change and developed the job description will be reviewed and subject to changes of business necessity.

The Penn‑Harris‑Madison School Corporation will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.

Postings current as of 2/21/2026 3:35:20 AM CST.

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