Land a custodian job

Are you currently looking for a job as a custodian or janitor and wondering what exactly the role entails? Are you wondering, does it involve long working hours or night shifts? How many years of education or experience do you need?

To help you learn more about this job, we’ll show you what a common custodian job description looks like.

We’ll also take a look at a maintenance worker job description and a night custodian role to see if these related careers are the right fit for you.

What does a custodian job description look like?

A custodian or a caretaker plays an important role in maintaining the cleanliness of a property and its premises. This role is also commonly called a janitor.

There are many different types of custodians, such as a school custodian or a night custodian, which we will talk more about later.

In addition to the technical skills required to perform their duties, a custodian will need to use soft skills in their job, such as time management, organization, and communication skills.

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The essential functions of the role may vary according to the size and needs of the business the janitor works for.

Here’s a list of common custodian job duties and responsibilities:

• Maintain a good standard of tidiness, cleanliness, and maintenance of the office building or property.

• Make sure all cleaning duties are performed in a timely manner.

• Sweep, mop, scrub, and clean floors as needed.

• Polish, dust, and clean surfaces, fixtures, and furniture.

• Clean windows and mirrors with cleaning supplies.

• Steam, shampoo, and vacuum rugs and carpeted areas.

• Clean the building restrooms and sanitize toilets and washroom areas.

• Restock hand paper towels, soap, and toilet paper in the toilets and washrooms.

• Tidy up outdoor premises and carry out activities such as cleaning sidewalks, raking dry leaves, and mowing grass.

• Perform deep cleaning duties in accordance with custodial duty.

• Keep stock of cleaning supplies and maintain custodial equipment.

• Undertake cleaning of common areas as assigned and requested.

• Notify supervisors or managers if repairs or replacements are needed.

• Gather and properly dispose of trash.

• Provide assistance with training and impart guidance to additional cleaning staff.

• Carry out minor repairs or minor maintenance work, such as fixing a leaky faucet, changing electric bulbs, and moving furniture.

• Use cleaning equipment and supplies responsibly while keeping in mind workplace safety.

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Along with a list of duties and responsibilities, a custodian job description will also include a list of required qualifications and skills.

Here are common ones that you will see on a custodian job description:

• High school diploma or GED

• Previous experience working as a custodian is desirable but not always essential

• Familiarity and knowledge of cleaning methods and techniques

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Ability to climb ladders and lift heavy objects

• Ability to walk and stand for hours

• Good organizational skills

• Diligent and self-motivated

• Ability to handle basic repairs and maintenance tasks

What's included in a maintenance job description?

A job in maintenance is similar to that of a custodian. The main purpose of a maintenance job is the upkeep and repair of offices, buildings, premises, or the company facility.

As a maintenance worker, you might be expected to work both indoors and outdoors, and on-call work or night shifts may be required.

To give you a better idea of what’s involved, here’s a list of basic maintenance worker job duties:

• Perform repair and maintenance duties in office interiors, building exteriors, and local premises.

• Perform basic duties related to plumbing, carpentry, electricity, window washing, plastering, carpentry, and floor repair.

• Complete routine inspections of all equipment on the premises.

• Troubleshoot or diagnose issues and repair them when necessary.

• Install various appliances and electrical equipment as needed.

• Be on-call and respond quickly when emergencies occur.

• Follow a maintenance schedule and complete repairs on time.

• Make appointments with electricians, mechanics, or technical wizards if needed.

• Perform safety checks on equipment and premises.

• Keep stock of all repair tools, appliances, and supplies.

• Maintain a record of all repair and upkeep work done at the premises.

• Set up repair appointments with mechanics or electricians when needed.

Just like a regular custodian job, a maintenance job will also list skills and qualifications in their job description.

Here are common ones you can expect to see:

• A degree from a technical college is a bonus but not always essential

• Prior experience in maintenance work

• Physical stamina and the ability to lift heavy objects

• Knowledge of maintenance methods and procedures

• Ability to follow a maintenance schedule

• Ability to troubleshoot issues and arrive at solutions quickly

• Skilled at using a variety of tools, both manual and electric

• Ability to work diligently with minimum supervision

• Knowledge of plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems

What are night custodian job responsibilities?

Depending on your schedule and preferences, a role as a night custodian may be the right fit for you.

This job has some key differences when compared to a regular custodian’s job.

As the job title suggests, a night custodian’s duties may often involve working night shifts or beyond regular working hours.

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For instance, round-the-clock cleanliness and maintenance may be required in buildings or premises that may stay open through the night, such as college libraries and hospitals.

A night custodian will usually have to perform the same duties as a regular custodian. However, they might have additional responsibilities, such as securing and locking up the premises at the end of the day.

Ready to apply for custodian jobs?

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on custodial responsibilities as well as those in related roles in building maintenance and night custodial duty.

Being a custodian requires you to use soft skills and complete numerous tasks such as cleaning buildings and performing basic maintenance.

If a job working in janitorial or related roles sounds like a good fit for you, check out some open positions near you.

Would you consider working as a custodian?