Roving Custodial Worker

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Facilities Operations Department serves CPS schools by adequately supplying custodial services district-wide and ensuring safe, warm, and dry environments for staff and students.

Job Summary:


Under Facilities' supervision, a Roving Custodial Worker performs extensive cleaning and professional custodial duties in the maintenance of the interior and exterior of Chicago Public Schools' buildings and facilities and performs related duties as required. Roving Custodial Workers provide additional support within schools and ensure daily staffing and cleaning needs are met and complete. Roving Custodial Workers supplant the private custodial worker substitute pool, are assigned based on operational needs, and may be assigned to multiple locations each week or even daily.


The Roving Custodial Worker will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Cleans, sweeps, mops, and scrubs floor inside and outside of classrooms, offices, stairways, corridors, and lobbies;
• Cleans restrooms with proper chemicals, equipment, and tools as taught in training;
• Strips, re-waxes, and buffs floors using heavy duty electric scrubbers and polishers; vacuums and shampoos all carpeted areas with vacuum equipment;
• Cleans and disinfects lavatory areas including sinks, showers, urinals, and toilets using appropriate disinfectants and chemical solutions;
• Refills toilet paper, menstrual hygiene products, hand soap, and paper towel dispensers in lavatories;
• Cleans, dusts, and polishes all types of surfaces and furniture in classrooms, offices, and all other areas of the school building;
• Damp wipes surfaces of chalkboards and whiteboards;
• Empties waste baskets, menstrual hygiene receptacles and other refuse containers to dispose of trash and ensures proper separation of trash, recycling, and compost;
• Lifts and moves furniture, office equipment, and draperies;
• Places boxes and office equipment in storage areas;
• Moves educational supplies as necessary within assigned school(s);
• Cleans the interior and street-level exterior surface of windows;
• Shovels snow and spreads salt either manually or with snow blower equipment;
• Operates power equipment or hand tools to cut and trim lawns and shrubbery; waters and fertilizes lawns; and stores hoses in proper manner;
• Cleans and stores equipment and supplies after each use;
• Unboxes, loads, and stores cleaning supplies;
• Removes litter and debris from building floors and external property grounds;
• Operates refuse compactor, raises and lowers flags at appropriate times;
• Keeps custodial equipment clean, stored appropriately, and maintains the equipment through minor routine maintenance;
• Performs inventory counts as directed;
• Removes graffiti markings from walls and other surfaces;
• Sets up tables and chairs in the auditorium, hall or other designated area;
• Occasionally trains custodial staff on machinery, equipment, and chemical usage;
• Fulfills duties assigned related to cleaning projects for schools;
• Attends mandatory training required of this position; and
• Maintains and checks emails daily with required and assigned CPS devices.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Roving Custodial Worker must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• High School Diploma, or GED equivalent

Experience Required:

• Minimum of one (1) year of custodial work or related work experience
• Experience in the use of technology to communicate issues, completion of work, and equipment/supplies inquiries

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the basic methods of building cleaning and housekeeping, and grounds and landscape maintenance
• Knowledge of the proper operation and some skill using power-driven tools/equipment and hand tools.
• Impeccable attendance and punctuality
• Proficient with teamwork and collaboration with colleagues and administration
• Exhibits passion and the ability to thrive in any school assignment amidst changes in priority
• Skilled in all aspects of cleaning, including the use of cleaning equipment and supplies
• Ability to perform duties inside and outside of CPS buildings

Other Requirements:

• Heavy work: Exerting fifty (50) to one hundred (100) pounds of force occasionally, or twenty-five (25) to fifty (50) pounds of force frequently, or ten (10) to twenty (20) pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands include the ability to stoop, bend and crouch; reach, handle and finger objects; ability to see and hear; occasional use of near visual acuity.
• Flexibility in hours and work location is a requirement
• Duration of assignment can vary from 1 day (or multiple in 1 day) to 3 months plus for coverage of Leaves of Absences.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.