School Maintenance Assistant - Custodian Lead & Carpenter - St. Francis Xavier Parish - La Gran[...]

Archdiocese of Chicago; La Grange (IL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archdiocese of Chicago's St. Francis Xavier Parish & School seeks a School Maintenance Assistant to ensure safe, clean, and efficient operations across campus.

This hands-on role covers preventive maintenance, custodial tasks, routine repairs, and event support, contributing to a welcoming environment for students, staff, parishioners, and visitors. You'll work independently within the Facilities Department, performing boiler/HVAC checks, basic plumbing and electrical work, and coordinating

Qualifications

• Previous experience as Head Custodian, Lead Custodian, or Maintenance Technician.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience performing general handyman repairs, including carpentry, plumbing, painting, drywall, and basic electrical work.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools and power equipment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills, including email communication.
• Ability to perform physical work, including lifting, climbing ladders, and snow removal.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily boiler system inspections and monitor related equipment.
• Monitor HVAC, thermostats, classroom units, and temperatures.
• Maintain boiler water chemical levels and clean boiler room.
• Perform general building and preventive maintenance.
• Complete minor repairs in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, and painting.
• Repair or replace lighting, switches, and ceiling tiles.
• Open/secure campus facilities and ensure occupancy readiness.
• Coordinate emergency repairs with Facilities Director when unavailable.
• Perform routine cleaning and custodial duties across campus.
• Assist with event setup/teardown for parish and school events.
• Communicate maintenance requests and report concerns to Director of Facilities.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Communication

Physical stamina

Tools

Carpentry

Plumbing

Painting

Drywall

Electrical work

Job description

Visit Parish Website

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

St. Francis Xavier Parish & School seeks an experienced, dependable, and service-oriented School Maintenance Assistant to support the safe, efficient daily operation, maintenance, cleanliness, and appearance of the parish and school campus. This hands-on position performs preventive maintenance, custodial services, building repairs, event support, and monitoring of key building systems.

Working independently and as part of the Facilities Department, the School Maintenance Assistant responds professionally to maintenance needs and helps provide a clean, safe, welcoming, and faith-filled environment for students, staff, parishioners, families, and visitors.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Facility Maintenance & Building Systems

• Perform daily inspections of boiler systems, including boiler blowdowns, feed pumps, air compressors, circulating pumps, circulation fans, and related mechanical equipment.


• Monitor HVAC equipment, thermostats, classroom unit ventilators, blower fans, and classroom temperatures.


• Maintain proper boiler water chemical treatment levels.


• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the boiler room, mechanical spaces, and utility tunnels.


• Inspect and report concerns involving security, fire alarm, fire protection, and other life-safety systems.


• Open and secure campus facilities as assigned and ensure they are ready for occupancy.

Building Repairs & Preventive Maintenance

• Perform general building and preventive maintenance.


• Complete minor plumbing, carpentry, electrical, plaster, drywall, and painting repairs.


• Repair or replace lighting, switches, ceiling tiles, hardware, and other building components, and perform basic electrical troubleshooting.


• Operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, and maintenance equipment safely and effectively.


• Review and complete maintenance work orders in a timely manner.


• Coordinate emergency repair services for heating, cooling, plumbing, or electrical issues when the Director of Facilities is unavailable.

Custodial Services

• Perform routine cleaning throughout the school and parish campus, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and floor care.


• Empty trash and recycling containers.


• Clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms while maintaining adequate supply inventory.


• Assist with daily cafeteria and lunchroom cleaning.


• Provide custodial coverage during staff absences.


• Assist with snow removal, ice control, winter maintenance, and care of snow removal equipment.

Event Support

• Set up and tear down tables, chairs, staging, and equipment for parish, school, athletic, and community events.


• Provide support before, during, and after weekend, evening, and special events as assigned.

Communication & Teamwork

• Communicate effectively and professionally with staff, parish ministries, volunteers, vendors, contractors, and event coordinators in person and by email.


• Respond professionally to maintenance requests.


• Report maintenance concerns promptly and recommend corrective action to the Director of Facilities.


• Work cooperatively with other Facilities Department staff and maintain a positive, service-oriented attitude.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow OSHA safety standards, asbestos awareness procedures, department procedures, and parish safety policies.


• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).


• Maintain a safe work environment throughout the campus.

Qualifications

Required

• Previous experience as a Head Custodian, Lead Custodian, or Maintenance Technician.


• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.


• Experience performing general handyman repairs, including carpentry, plumbing, painting, drywall, and basic electrical work.


• Ability to safely operate hand tools and power equipment.


• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.


• Basic computer skills, including email communication.


• Ability to perform physical work, including lifting, climbing ladders, and snow removal.

Preferred

• Experience operating boiler systems and HVAC equipment.


• Previous experience in a school, parish, or institutional setting.


• Familiarity with OSHA regulations and facility safety procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.


• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb ladders, and perform repetitive physical tasks.


• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Mission

Every employee contributes to the mission of St. Francis Xavier Parish by creating a safe, welcoming, and faith-filled environment where students can learn, families can grow in faith, and parishioners feel at home.

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has an hourly range of $28.00 - $30.00. An employee’s pay within the range will be based on many factors including but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.