School Custodian

Position Type:
Maintenance/Custodial/Custodian

Date Posted:
9/1/2026

Location:
ESCNJ Buildings and Grounds

Date Available:
Immediately

Closing Date:
10/30/2026
ESCNJ Buildings and Grounds - Maintenance Services for all ESCNJ programs and services

ESCNJ Buildings and Grounds
1660 Stelton Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854

POSITION: School Custodian
Twelve (12) Month Position


START DATE: Immediately - Pending Criminal History Clearance

QUALIFICATIONS :

1. High School diploma or equivalent
2. Boiler Operator's License (Black Seal) must be acquired not later than the second consecutively scheduled licensing test date following the commencement of employment.
3. Submit to and pass a criminal background check.
4. Submit to and pass a physical examination by physician
5. Physically able to climb steps, step ladders and scaffolding
6. Able to operate cleaning equipment such as scrubbing machines, vacuums, etc.
7. Ability to relate to staff and students
8. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.


REPORTS TO: Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds (Primary) School Principal (Secondary)

JOB GOAL: To provide students with a safe, attractive, comfortable, clean and efficient place in which to learn, play and develop.

Unlock Doors, Open School Building:
At start and completion of the day, the custodian is required to unlock and lock the doors of the school. The doors are unlocked with keys. This task takes several minutes to complete. At the start and completion of the day, the custodian is required to deactivate or activate the burglar alarm system for the building. Upon the closing of the building, the custodian must make sure all windows are closed and any entry areas to the school are secure. (Locking of outside fence gates when required). Upon opening and closing of the building, the custodian must check the heating and cooling systems to assure they are in operation.


1. Physical Requirements:

Standing: To unlock school doors.
Handling: Keys, allen wrench, locks, chains, door locks. Fingering


2. Clean and dust offices and assigned areas

The worker performs this task independently. It involves dusting and cleaning of all offices of the school and their and other assigned areas by the custodial supervisor. This task may require dusting of office desks, approximately 30 inches from ground, shelves of varying heights, various articles in the offices, etc. There may be a periodic overhead dusting of windows and window ledges that will require the worker to reach from a stool, ladder, approximately 6-8 feet. The worker will need cleaning supplies to be transported to each assigned area.

Physical Requirements:
Standing: To perform functions.
Walking: To perform functions, maneuver around area.
Climbing: On ladder, stool to reach overhead, ladder approximately 6-8 feet. Bending: To dust/clean shelves, lower areas.
Stooping/Crouching: To perform function in lower or hard to reach areas.
Balancing: On ladders, stools, approximately 6-8 feet.
Lifting: Articles that must be cleaned around, weigh less than 5 lbs.
Reaching - In all directions to clean/dust all areas.
Hands/Arms:
Handling: Supplies of varied size; articles to be moved to clean/dust, ladder

3. Clean Bathrooms:
This task is performed by one worker in each lavatory. The worker is to clean and sanitize the toilets in the stalls, clean the sinks, wash the floors and the walls and clean the windows. The worker must also bring the cleaning supplies to each bathroom to be cleaned.

• Toilet cleaned on inside and around stall
• Re-supply toilet paper and paper towel, soap Wash sinks, mirrors
• Wash bathroom floors, utilizing bucket and mop
• Wash down bathroom walls

Physical Requirements:

• Standing: To clean sinks, mirrors, walls; perform most functions.
• Walking: To maneuver around the lavatory.
• Climbing: On utility ladder, approximately 6-8 feet
• Bending: To mop/wash floors, sinks.
• Stooping/Crouching: To wash toilets.
• Balancing: On the utility ladder.
• Lifting - Whole Body: To carry a ladder to the lavatory.
• Lifting - Hands/Arms: Cleaning supplies.
• Pushing/Pulling Body: To maneuver bucket, mop to wash floor.
• Reaching Above: To clean windows, walls.
• Handling: Cleaning supplies, mop, bucket, ladder.

4. Garbage Removal and Recycling Bins:

This task is completed by one worker once per day. A large garbage barrel on wheels must be taken to each room where garbage is to be collected. Individual pails are emptied into the larger garbage barrel. One or more large garbage barrels may be used to complete this task and are simultaneously pushed or pulled down the corridor, utilizing approximately 5-10 lbs. of pull/push force. After all garbage is collected, the large barrels are pushed to the end of the building. The garbage bags must be lifted out of the barrels. The bags may be lifted and thrown in the dumpster. This requires the worker to lift the individual garbage bags approximately 31/2 - 4 feet off the ground into the dumpster The worker then retrieves the large garbage barrel to be stored appropriately

Physical Requirements:

• Walking: To collect garbage, to push/pull garbage barrels down the corridor, to bring garbage bags down stairs to the dumpster.
• Bending: To retrieve garbage from individual pails in offices and rooms, to lift garbage bags to dispose in dumpster.
• Lifting - Whole Body: To lift garbage bags of varying weight for disposal.
• Lifting - Hands/Arms: Individual small garbage pails from rooms, offices.
• Pushing/Pulling Body: Garbage barrels on wheels, requiring approximately 5-10 lbs. of push force to maneuver.
• Reaching Above: Garbage bags into the dumpster.
• Handling: Individual garbage pails, garbage bags.

Recycling Barrels:
The recyclables are collected in the recycling barrel which is on large wheels. It is taken to each room/office for collection, and is either pushed or pulled along the corridor requiring approximately 5 lbs. of pulf/push force. This is often done simultaneously with garbage collection. After the recyclables are collected it is brought outside to the garbage, parked and an empty recycling barrel is brought back into the school and stored. This task is performed once daily.

Physical Requirements:

• Walking: See garbage collection.
• Bending: To retrieve recyclables.
• Pushing/Pulling Body: See garbage collection.
• Handling: Recycling materials, cans, bottles, etc.

5. Floor Maintenance:
This task is performed by each custodial worker. It involves the sweeping and mopping or vacuuming of offices, classrooms, and stairwells as needed. Classrooms, offices and stairwells are cleaned daily. The worker must retrieve the broom for sweeping the assigned area and utility bucket and mop for washing floors. A walk-behind or riding automatic traction driven floor scrubber will be used in the maintenance of the floor areas daily and when needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing: To perform function.
• Walking: To position ladder under bulb, bring supplies.
• Climbing: Steps on ladder.
• Balancing: On ladder.
• Lifting Hands/Arms: To lift fluorescent bulb to position.
• Reaching Above: To reach light to disconnect and reconnect new bulbs into place.
• Handling: Requires dexterity of hands to twist the bulb to disconnect and reconnect the new bulb into place. Bulb approximately 4 feet long, ladder.

6. Changing Light Bulbs
The worker may occasionally be required to change the overhead fluorescent bulbs in offices. This task is necessary a small percentage of time. This involves moving furniture out of the way to be able to reach the light. The worker can get to the light by climbing a utility ladder. It is necessary to twist the large bulb to open and to close the bulb into place. Bulbs approximately 4 feet long.

Physical Requirements :

• Standing: To perform function.
• Walking: To position ladder under bulb, bring supplies.
• Climbing: Steps on ladder.
• Balancing: On ladder.
• Lifting Hands/Arms: To lift fluorescent bulb to position.
• Reaching Above: To reach light to disconnect and reconnect new bulbs into place.
• Handling: Requires dexterity of hands to twist the bulb to disconnect and reconnect the new bulb into place. Bulb approximately 4 feet long, ladder.

7. Summer and Holiday thorough Cleaning:
During holidays and summer months, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and refurbish the school. There are several tasks to be done that are not possible while school is in session, along with the overall cleaning as previously outlined. This includes stripping and refinishing floors and painting. All workers are assigned these tasks. Painting is done with rollers with 5 gallon paint drums weighing approximately 40-50 lbs., which have to be lifted to pour the paint into pans. The floor stripper requires a twisting movement to operate and weighs approximately 50 lbs. It is necessary to move furniture to refinish floors. Overhead cleaning of windows is typically done at this time which the worker gets to on a utility ladder, approximately 6-8 feet. Major cleaning, painting and refinishing floors are incorporated into the full 8 hour day.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing: To clean, wash, paint, refinish floors, and perform all functions.
• Walking: To retrieve and return supplies, to paint, to strip and refinish floors, perform cleaning functions.
• Climbing: Utility ladders, stairs.
• Bending: To clean low areas, paint low areas, position equipment, retrieve and place supplies.
• Balancing: On stairs, ladders.
• Lifting Whole Body: 5-gallon drums of finish and paint, weighing approximately 40-50 lbs., utility ladders approximately 6-8 feet.
• Lifting Hands/Arms: Various supplies, garbage bags.
• Pushing Whole Body: Stripping machine weighing approximately 40-50 lbs., buffing machine, garbage barrels, 5-10 lbs. of push force moving furniture.
• Pushing Hands/Arms: Paint rollers, mops, brooms, to perform functions.
• Reaching Above: To clean windows, paint walls, clean higher areas.
• Reaching Forward: Dusting, cleaning in offices, rooms as previously outlined.
• Reaching Down: To retrieve and return varying small supplies.
• Handling: All cleaning equipment, to perform functions.
• Seeing: Location of supplies, to maneuver equipment, to paint surfaces; to perform all functions

BENEFITS: Full-time staff are eligible for Medical, Prescription, and Dental Benefits. Pension system enrollment varies by position and certification. Vacation, Sick, Personal and Bereavement Days are included.


SALARY: $45,000

To apply for this position with the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey please visit the Human Resources Tab at and click the employment opportunities link.

ESCNJ is an EOE/AA Employer