Custodian

Custodian

SALARY RANGE: $31,665-$48,402

Ad Valorem - 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries. The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee's supplement is the employee's salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues).

Job Goal

To maintain a clean, safe and sanitary environment for students, staff and visitors by performing routine cleaning, maintenance and minor repairs in school facilities. The Custodian ensures that school buildings and grounds are well-maintained, compliant with health and safety standards and conducive to a positive learning environment.

Qualifications (minimum education, licensure, skills and/or experience)

Required

• High school diploma or GED®.
• Understanding of basic maintenance and minor repair techniques for buildings and equipment.
• Ability to properly handle and store cleaning chemicals and hazardous materials in compliance with safety regulations (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], Safety Data Sheet [SDS] guidelines).
• Familiarity with floor care techniques, including stripping, waxing, buffing and carpet cleaning.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and emergency response protocols to maintain a secure school environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to complete assigned tasks efficiently.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills to interact professionally with staff, students and administrators.

Preferred

• Previous experience in custodial work, facility maintenance or janitorial services.
• Experience working in a school, commercial or institutional setting.
• Knowledge of cleaning methods, materials and equipment used in maintaining school facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Duties and Operations

• Develops, implements and monitors initiatives to support the goals and objectives of the school, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while addressing operational needs.
• Sustains cleanliness and hygiene of school premises, including buildings, sidewalks, driveways, play areas and grounds, by performing sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, waxing, disinfecting restrooms, cleaning drinking fountains, washing windows and removing rubbish according to established schedules.
• Secures and unlocks buildings daily in alignment with the Principal's directions, ensuring the facility is accessible and safe for operations.
• Maintains the school grounds by removing rubbish to uphold a clean, safe and aesthetically pleasing environment.
• Implements a routine maintenance schedule for custodial equipment.
• Prepares buildings and equipment for weather or emergency events by performing preventative maintenance tasks, securing resources and addressing seasonal needs to ensure operational readiness.
• Manages and maintains an inventory of supplies and equipment, including restroom essentials such as toilet tissue, paper towels and soap and ensures timely reordering to prevent disruptions in operations.
• Executes a continuous program of general maintenance, upkeep and repair to maintain the functionality and safety of school facilities.

Communication and Teamwork

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships by collaborating with supervisors, co-workers, administrators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to support school and district goals, ensuring seamless service delivery.
• Collaborates with co-workers to complete tasks and assignments, promoting efficiency and effective operations.
• Reports promptly defacement or damage to school property and communicates safety hazards, injuries and repair or maintenance needs beyond personal capability to the principal to ensure timely resolution and maintain a safe, secure environment.

Compliance

• Follows school, district, state and federal regulations to ensure compliance.

Safety and Security

• Ensures the safety and security of students and staff by adhering to school policies, supervising assigned areas, reporting potential hazards and responding promptly to emergencies in accordance with established protocols.
• Maintains safe access to steps and sidewalks by promptly removing ice and snow and applying salt or sand as needed to prevent slips and falls during winter conditions.
• Safeguards compliance with safety regulations by keeping all doors leading to exits and fire escapes clear of obstructions and maintaining unlocked access to outside doors during school hours.

Professional Development

• Engages in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices, industry standards and job-related knowledge.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the department.
• Contributes to district-wide projects and collaborates with other departments on cross-functional goals.
• Maintains a valid driver's license and a clear driving record, follows all district policies and state regulations for safe vehicle operation, reports any incidents affecting their ability to drive immediately to their supervisor and ensures proper care, maintenance and responsible use of district vehicles if required to use a district vehicle for assigned duties.

Physical Demands

This role operates in an indoor, climate-controlled environment as well as outdoors, with regular exposure to moderate temperature variations. The usual methods of performing job functions require moderate to heavy lifting (fifty [50] pounds or greater), carrying, pushing and pulling with frequent engagement in activities such as standing, walking and sitting. Additional physical requirements include ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often throughout the workday; frequent movement across school grounds, such as walking up and down stairs, in classrooms and through hallways; ability to push or pull equipment, such as carts or dollies loaded with supplies; pushing or pulling of furniture or heavy objects; ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements; manual dexterity for various responsibilities; frequent bending, stooping and kneeling; ability to climb ladders and/or scaffolding; ability to climb up stairs and/or steps; ability to crawl in confined spaces; ability to operate machinery, equipment and tools; ability to work in varying conditions, such as inclement weather, wet or slippery floors, and/or exposure to cleaning chemicals; ability to handle changes in temperature and noise levels; adaptability to switch between multiple tasks and manage interruptions; and physical mobility to move swiftly between classrooms, therapy rooms and other school facilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Plaquemines Parish School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. The district is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect.