Custodian, Entry Level Candidate Pool

Junior
CompanyHoward County Public School System
LocationGeneral
Category-
SeniorityJunior
Workplace-
Posted2026-08-23
Viaworkday

Description

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan , please visit our website and our careers page . Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely .

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION

T h is   job   c on s is t s of   ro u t i ne   w ork   to   m a i nt a in   t h e   c lea n l ine s s of   an   a ssi g ned   fa ci l i ty   and   g rounds.   A n e m plo y ee in th i s c l as s , und e r   t he   s upe r v i s i on   o f an   ad m ini s t r a t o r or   m ana g e r , rec e i v es   g ener a l   d ir e c t ion   a nd   l ead e r s h ip   fr o m   a day   or ni g ht   c us t od i al   s up er v iso r .   T h is e m plo y ee p e rf o r m s clea n ing   and   m a i nt e n a nce   f un c tio n s on   the   d ay   or e v en i ng   sh i f t.   Wo r k   is   e v a l ua t ed   t h rou g h obs e r v a t i on   w hile w o rk   is   in p r o g ress   a nd by   ins p e c t ion   o f co m pl et ed ass i g n m en t s .

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this role will also   possess   a combination of the   additional   qualifications below. If you   don’t   meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences .

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(1) year experience as a custodian in a school system or building maintenance is   desired   by not   required .

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

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Perf o r m s bu i l ding   i n spe c t i o ns   t o   ens u re b ui lding   s e cu ri ty .

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C leans   bu i l d in g s by   sweep i n g , dus t in g ,   m oppin g , scr u bbin g , se a l i n g , buf f in g ,   w a s hing   roo m s,   v acuu m in g ,   w ashing   su r f a ces,   e t c.

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Perf o r m s   g round   m a i nten a n ce by   m o w in g ,   w a t e r in g ,   sw eeping   and w e ed i ng .

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Mo v es and   s t o res   f u rn i tu r e   and eq u ip m ent .

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R e m o v es snow and   ice .

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R equ i r es   ex t en s i v e wal k in g , s t o o pin g , pus h in g , ca r r y i ng , c l i m bin g ,   bend i ng   and   l if ting .

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Must   be available for emergency calls .

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Performs g ener a l   b u i l ding   m a i nten a n c e including cleaning   roo m s,   cleaning   w indo w s, scrub bing   c l e an   f ur n it u re,   fill ing   disp e ns e rs,   m o v ing   f urn i t u re,   wash ing   ch alk boa r d s   and   c l e a n ing   t r a y s,   as sistin g   in   the   c a fe t e ri a,   r e p l a c ing   l i g ht   b u lbs and ne o n tu b es,   re m o v ing   g u m , c l ean ing   d r in k ing   foun t a i ns , c l e an ing   t r a sh c a ns,   m a k ing   m inor   r ep a ir s ,   ch e ck ing   and c l e a n ing   eq u ip m en t , o p en ing   and   sec u r ing   b u i l ding .

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Conduc t s routine f loor   m a i n ten a nc e   to inc lude   p ick ing   up t r ash   from   flo o rs,   removing   g u m ,   vacuum ing sw eep ing , dry ing   and wet   m op ping , s crubbing ,   w ax ing   and b u ff ing .

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Performs o utdoor   m a i nte n anc e   including   p ick ing   up lawn   deb r is,   shoveling   sn o w , cut ting   lawns ,   c lean ing   s i dewal k s , op e ra t ing   g ras s - cu t t ing equ i p m ent .

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O pe r a te s   c le a ning   eq u ip m en t   to include   v acuum   c l e an e r, s c rub b e r, bu f f e r,   w et   and   d ry   m ops , b r oo m s .

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Perf o rm   other   du t ies   as   as s i g ned.

Employee Safety

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Th e   employee   is responsible for   the use of safety devices and protective equipment   in order to   minimize the   frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employee   is responsible for   using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job.

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The employee is further responsible for correcting any conditions within the building or grounds that may be hazardous to employees, students, or staff assigned to the building and reporting same to the   appropriate administrator .

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities   required   for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

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Wo r k ing   k no w led g e of   c le a ning   m a t e r i a ls   and e q uip m ent .

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K no wl ed g e of   the En g l i sh   l an g ua g e   so as   t o   un d e r s ta n d ope r a t ing   in s tr u c t ions   f o r   c l e a ning   eq u ip m ent   and   m a t e r i a ls   a nd s a f e ty   and a c c i de n t   p re v en t ion .

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A bi l ity   to   c o m m unicate   e ff ec t i v e l y   in   wr i t ing   and o r a ll y .

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A bi l ity   to   o p e r a t e   c l ea n ing   and   g ras s - cu t t ing   m achines .

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A bi l ity   to   wi l l in g ly   a t t end   a nd   pa r t i c i p a t e   i n   t r a i n ing   s e ssi o ns .

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A bi l ity   to   le a rn a n d p r ac t i c e ac c ep t ab l e   c lea n ing   m e t hods .

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A bi l ity   to   wi l l in g ly   acq u ire   s k ills   in   the   op e ra t ion   o f   cl eaning   and   g r a s s - cu t t ing   m achi n es   u sed   in   the ass i g ned   fa ci l i ty   and   t o   b e a   se l f - s t a r t er .

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I nte r act   p os i ti v e l y   wi th   s t u den t s , ad m ini s t r a t o rs,   c o - w or k e r s,   p a r e n ts   and   c o m m u nit y .

ADDITIONAL   REQUIREMENTS

Physical Requirements

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A bi l ity   to   h ear   the   nor m a l ly   spo k en word   a t   25   f e et .

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A bi l ity   to   w o rk   outdo o rs   u nder   ad v e r se   we a t h er   con di tio n s .

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A bi l ity   to   c li m b la d de r s a n d s t a i r s .

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A bi l ity   to   p ick   up and   c a rry   65 poun d s .

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A bi l ity   to   s ta n d f o r   p r ol o n g ed   p e riod   of   ti m e .

The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.

Working Hours

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The duty day for a full-time position is 8 .5   hours per day   including   a   thirty-minute   unpaid duty-free   lunch.

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This position is   designated   as an “emergency employee” under the AFSCME negotiated agreement and may require a response during inclement weather and other emergencies. When work cannot be scheduled during the school year during normal hours, weekend/evening and shift work may be   required   as allowed by the AFSCME negotiated agreement.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be   submitted , and o nce your application has been   submitted , you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. I ncomplete applications will not be accepted .    Resumes will not be   accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTION   CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation.   Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience which most