Substitute Custodians

Portsmouth School Department; Portsmouth (RI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Portsmouth School Department in Portsmouth, Rhode Island is seeking substitutes for custodian positions. This on-call, day-to-day role covers district-wide locations with hours and site assignments determined by district needs.

As a substitute custodian you will maintain a safe, clean, and functional learning environment, perform cleaning, setup for meetings, and support meal programs as required. Supervision is by the Facilities Director and Building Principal.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of custodial cleaning practices.
• Strong work ethic and initiative.
• Ability to meet attendance requirements.
• Ability to lift 15–25 pounds frequently; up to 60 pounds frequently; up to 100 pounds infrequently.
• Ability to follow established procedures and work under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform custodial cleaning across classrooms, dining and common areas.
• Set up, break down and store furniture for meetings and events.
• Assist with breakfast and/or lunch programs as required.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly facility in accordance with standards.

Skills

Custodial cleaning

Physical stamina

Dependability

Attendance reliability

Communication

Education

High School/Trade School diploma

Job description

Portsmouth School Department Portsmouth School Department - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

Substitute Custodians

Portsmouth School Department Portsmouth School Department - Portsmouth, Rhode Island Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5893646

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 19, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Assignment: District Wide - location and hours to be determined as district needs. This is a day-to-day, on-call position.

Position Definition: A substitute custodian is charged with maintaining and continually improving that facility as a safe, secure, clean, orderly and functional environment of learning. All duties and responsibilities shall be performed in accordance with established standards, procedures and protocols; and within timelines that will not interfere with the school’s operational schedule.

Supervision: This position is under the general supervision of the Facilities Director and Building Principal.

General Duties: shall include but not be limited to the following areas:

Custodial Cleaning:

• Cleans and maintains assigned classrooms, dining and assembly areas, hallways, stairways and storage areas, restrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and other internal athletic and recreational areas, sidewalks and exterior walkways serving the premises, offices, meeting rooms and common areas
• Uses brooms, mops, and light- and heavy-duty floor cleaning equipment to sweep, mop, strip and wax floors
• Uses any required procedures to control and minimize dust accumulation
• Uses vacuum cleaners to clean rugs, carpets, walls, ceilings and lighting fixtures, cabinets, lockers, furniture and window treatments
• Cleans and sanitizes toilet areas, washrooms, showers, locker rooms and drinking water distribution units
• Washes walls, ceilings, woodwork, interior window surfaces, window treatments, doors and sills

Facility Utilization & Support Service:

• Sets up, breaks down and appropriately stores furniture and equipment used to facilitate meetings, functions and assembly
• Relocates, retrieves and/or delivers furniture, furnishings, supplies and materials from one area to another
• Assists with breakfast and/or lunch programs as required

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the practices and techniques of custodial cleaning
• A strong work ethic and initiative for continuing improvement
• Physical ability to perform an acceptable quantity & quality of work at all times
• A work history of dependability and reliability
• A positive and cooperative attitude
• Ability to meet attendance requirements.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding in fulfillment of oral or written instructions
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees
• Ability to relate and communicate with officials, staff, students and public in a courteous manner
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing from 15 to 25 pounds very frequently; up to 60 pounds frequently; up to 100 pounds infrequently
• Ability to perform the following job characteristics; up to 1/3 of the time is spent sitting and standing; 2/3 of the time is spent walking, climbing or reaching with hands or arms and using hands.
• Ability to properly operate and use lift equipment at variable heights.
• Ability to work occasionally in poor weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, or snow

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Position Type: Part-time

Salary: $21 Per Hour

Job Categories:

Support Staff > Custodian

Support Staff > Food Service

Support Staff > Maintenance

Support Staff > Safety/Security

Support Staff > Transportation

Welcome to Portsmouth School Department

Our mission is to create a comprehensive teaching and learning environment which provides opportunities to students to become, to their fullest potential, responsible citizens, self-directed individuals, and life-long learners.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Portsmouth School Department provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Any person who believes they may need reasonable accommodations should contact the Director of Human Resources.

Information pertaining to Title IX and how to file a report, including the Title IX Coordinator contact information and the PSD Title IX Policy, can be found on our website .

About Portsmouth School Department

The Portsmouth School Department (PSD) comprises four (4) schools that serve approximately 2200 students and an administration building. Portsmouth High School is a comprehensive 9-12 high school, Portsmouth Middle School 5-8, Hathaway Elementary School K-4 and Melville Elementary School PreK-4. PSD employs approximately 340 staff members including teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, and support staff including clerks, maintenance, custodians and paraprofessionals.

About the Town of Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a scenic town in Newport County, Rhode Island and is the second-oldest municipality in Rhode Island, after Providence. Portsmouth boasts a total area of 59.3 square miles, of which 23.2 square miles is land, including 4,000 acres of farmland and 36.1 square miles is water and 56 miles of coastline. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck Island, which it shares with Middletown and Newport. In addition, Portsmouth encompasses some smaller islands, including Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island and Hog Island. With a population of 17,349 (2010 U.S. Census), the town has one of the most progressive farm preservation programs in New England. The local economy thrives on its boating industry including its five (5) marinas.Portsmouth is centrally located on the eastern seaboard between the major metropolitan areas of New York and Boston. Situated close to interstate highways, I-95, I-195, and 24, Portsmouth remains easily accessible to the rest of the northeast. Portsmouth is located 4 miles north of historic Newport, 22 miles east of Providence, 10 miles south of Fall River, 65 miles west of Cape Cod, 70 miles south of Boston, and 210 miles east of New York City.

Job Requirements

• Qualifications: Citizenship, residency or work visa required National BCI including fingerprinting showing no disqualifying information required prior to start
• High School/Trade School degree preferred.

Contact Information

• George Simmons , Director of Facilities
• 29 Middle Road
• Portsmouth, Rhode Island 02871
• Phone: [phone]
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]

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