Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Facility Custodian

🎯 Role Definition

As a Facility Custodian, you are the cornerstone of our building's presentation and operational readiness. This role is crucial for maintaining a safe, sanitary, and efficient environment. You will be responsible for a wide range of cleaning and maintenance duties across our entire facility, from daily upkeep to responding to immediate needs. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented professional who can work independently and as part of a team to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and building care. Your efforts will directly impact the health, safety, and morale of everyone who uses our space.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Janitor / Cleaner
Housekeeper
General Laborer
Maintenance Helper

Advancement To:

Lead Custodian / Custodial Team Lead
Facilities Supervisor
Building Maintenance Technician
Facilities Manager

Lateral Moves:

Groundskeeper
Maintenance Assistant
Warehouse Associate

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive cleaning and sanitation routines, including sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, and vacuuming floors in offices, hallways, and common areas.
Diligently clean, sanitize, and restock restrooms, ensuring all fixtures (toilets, sinks, mirrors) are immaculate and supplies like soap and paper products are always available.
Collect and dispose of all trash, compost, and recycling from designated collection points throughout the facility in accordance with waste management procedures.
Execute detailed floor care programs, including stripping, sealing, waxing, and buffing hard surface floors to maintain a high-gloss, professional finish.
Operate and maintain powered industrial cleaning equipment, such as floor buffers, automatic scrubbers, carpet extractors, and pressure washers.
Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including furniture, desks, windowsills, and fixtures, to ensure a dust-free environment.
Clean and polish glass surfaces, including windows, doors, and interior partitions, ensuring they are free of smudges and streaks.
Monitor building security by performing nightly checks, locking and unlocking doors at specified times, and reporting any security concerns or breaches to management.
Conduct routine inspections of the facility to identify and report any maintenance issues, safety hazards, or areas needing repair.
Respond promptly to urgent clean-up requests and emergencies, such as spills, leaks, or biohazards, following all safety protocols.
Perform minor maintenance and repair tasks, including changing light bulbs, replacing ceiling tiles, tightening loose hardware, and performing minor paint touch-ups.
Maintain the cleanliness of building exteriors, including entranceways, walkways, and parking areas, by sweeping debris and removing litter.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the setup and breakdown of furniture, partitions, and equipment for meetings, conferences, and special events.
Manage and maintain an inventory of cleaning supplies, chemicals, and equipment, notifying the supervisor when reordering is necessary.
Perform seasonal grounds maintenance, such as snow and ice removal from sidewalks and entryways, or raking leaves and clearing debris.
Adhere strictly to all health and safety regulations, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling of cleaning chemicals (SDS).
Follow a detailed work schedule and checklist to ensure all assigned tasks are completed to a high standard within the designated timeframe.
Provide excellent customer service by professionally and courteously interacting with staff and visitors.
Assist specialized maintenance staff and external contractors with projects as needed.
Maintain the cleanliness and organization of all janitorial closets and storage areas.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in the operation of commercial cleaning equipment (e.g., floor buffers, carpet shampooers, high-pressure washers).
Knowledge of standard cleaning methods, materials, and best practices for various surfaces and environments.
Understanding of chemical safety protocols, including reading Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and proper mixing and handling of cleaning solutions.
Basic maintenance and repair skills (e.g., minor plumbing, carpentry, and electrical tasks like changing a ballast or faucet).
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, and standing for extended periods.
Knowledge of waste disposal and recycling procedures and regulations.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of cleanliness.
Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
High degree of reliability, dependability, and punctuality.
Proactive problem-solving abilities to identify and address issues before they escalate.
Strong work ethic and the ability to manage a physically demanding workload.
Good communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with building occupants and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training certificate in facilities maintenance, building trades, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Facilities Management
Building Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of proven experience in a custodial, janitorial, or facilities maintenance role.

Preferred: Prior experience working in a large commercial, educational, healthcare, or industrial facility is highly advantageous.