Floating Custodian

Job Description

Primary purpose :

• Responsible for washing, wiping, dusting, sweeping, waxing, polishing, vacuuming, and other duties. Maintains assigned areas of interiors or exteriors, office spaces, common areas, and grounds in a clean, orderly and habitable condition. Must assist with keeping walkways free of ice and snow in the winter months. The work locations will vary around the city. Over time will be required on a mandatory and as needed basis. This position is for the period Monday through Friday, 6:00am - 2:00pm.

Supervision:

• Supervision Scope: Majority of the time this position is unsupervised.
• Supervision Received: Custodian Supervisor.
• Supervision Given: None.

Essential Functions : (The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Ensures walls, halls, rooms, common and other areas are washed, swept, scrubbed and mopped; floors and rugs are vacuumed; furniture, fixtures are dusted and cleaned; bowls, basins and other conveniences, windows, walls, mats, drinking fountains and other areas are cleaned and sanitized; rugs are shampooed. Oversees and assists with the collection, removal, sorting and disposition of waste paper, litter, some work materials and other refuse; the replenishment and maintenance and adequate levels of paper and other towels, soap, toilet paper, hand cleaners and other supplies.
• Maintains buildings and grounds, fix broken items, furniture and equipment. Secures building for winter; install or remove window coverings, storm or screen windows and doors.
• Makes required mechanical, electrical, system repairs and maintenance to equipment and facilities. Implement improvements. Replaces heating/ventilation filters and perform normal system maintenance. Move, set up and tear down furniture, appliances, equipment, polish furniture and metal work. Ensures equipment lubrications are made;filters are cleaned and changed.
• Inspects and periodically tests building and mechanical equipment systems for proper operation.
• Ensures ordinary troubles, minor repairs and adjustments are corrected at the work site with a minimum of delay or interference to work or library operations.
• Maintains adequate levels of cleaning and maintenance supplies.
• Responds to concerns regarding building cleanliness, environment or conditions.
• Follows and adheres to department, City and other government rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications :
(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.)


QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High School diploma or GED. Valid Massachusetts driver's license required. Previous experience preferred.


LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedures manual. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to present information effectively, to citizens, visitors or employees of the City.


MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.


REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations within the limits of recognized standard methods or procedures. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.


Physical requirements/work environment:
(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Performance Standard:
Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City's values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

Please note that the posted salary range is not necessarily the hiring range. The starting salary typically falls within the first few steps of the posted salary range. The starting salary is influenced by relevant qualifications, and where applicable, by the collective bargaining agreement.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst - Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a "strong Mayor" form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody's Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing View email address on click.appcast.io.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton's diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees