Custodian, Entry Level Candidate Pool

ABOUT US The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan , please visit our website and our careers page . Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students! ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely . Job Posting End Date: Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site. DESCRIPTION T h is job c on s is t s of ro u t i ne w ork to m a i nt a in t h e c lea n l ine s s of an a ssi g ned fa ci l i ty and g rounds. A n e m plo y ee in th i s c l as s , und e r t he s upe r v i s i on o f an ad m ini s t r a t o r or m ana g e r , rec e i v es g ener a l d ir e c t ion a nd l ead e r s h ip fr o m a day or ni g ht c us t od i al s up er v iso r . T h is e m plo y ee p e rf o r m s clea n ing and m a i nt e n a nce f un c tio n s on the d ay or e v en i ng sh i f t. Wo r k is e v a l ua t ed t h rou g h obs e r v a t i on w hile w o rk is in p r o g ress a nd by ins p e c t ion o f co m pl et ed ass i g n m en t s . PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences . (1) year experience as a custodian in a school system or building maintenance is desired by not required . ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Perf o r m s bu i l ding i n spe c t i o ns t o ens u re b ui lding s e cu ri ty . C leans bu i l d in g s by sweep i n g , dus t in g , m oppin g , scr u bbin g , se a l i n g , buf f in g , w a s hing roo m s, v acuu m in g , w ashing su r f a ces, e t c. Perf o r m s g round m a i nten a n ce by m o w in g , w a t e r in g , sw eeping and w e ed i ng . Mo v es and s t o res f u rn i tu r e and eq u ip m ent . R e m o v es snow and ice . R equ i r es ex t en s i v e wal k in g , s t o o pin g , pus h in g , ca r r y i ng , c l i m bin g , bend i ng and l if ting . Must be available for emergency calls . Performs g ener a l b u i l ding m a i nten a n c e including cleaning roo m s, cleaning w indo w s, scrub bing c l e an f ur n it u re, fill ing disp e ns e rs, m o v ing f urn i t u re, wash ing ch alk boa r d s and c l e a n ing t r a y s, as sistin g in the c a fe t e ri a, r e p l a c ing l i g ht b u lbs and ne o n tu b es, re m o v ing g u m , c l ean ing d r in k ing foun t a i ns , c l e an ing t r a sh c a ns, m a k ing m inor r ep a ir s , ch e ck ing and c l e a n ing eq u ip m en t , o p en ing and sec u r ing b u i l ding . Conduc t s routine f loor m a i n ten a nc e to inc lude p ick ing up t r ash from flo o rs, removing g u m , vacuum ing sw eep ing , dry ing and wet m op ping , s crubbing , w ax ing and b u ff ing . Performs o utdoor m a i nte n anc e including p ick ing up lawn deb r is, shoveling sn o w , cut ting lawns , c lean ing s i dewal k s , op e ra t ing g ras s - cu t t ing equ i p m ent . O pe r a te s c le a ning eq u ip m en t to include v acuum c l e an e r, s c rub b e r, bu f f e r, w et and d ry m ops , b r oo m s . Perf o rm other du t ies as as s i g ned. Employee Safety Th e employee is responsible for the use of safety devices and protective equipment in order to minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employee is responsible for using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job. The employee is further responsible for correcting any conditions within the building or grounds that may be hazardous to employees, students, or staff assigned to the building and reporting same to the appropriate administrator . ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list. Wo r k ing k no w led g e of c le a ning m a t e r i a ls and e q uip m ent . K no wl ed g e of the En g l i sh l an g ua g e so as t o un d e r s ta n d ope r a t ing in s tr u c t ions f o r c l e a ning eq u ip m ent and m a t e r i a ls a nd s a f e ty and a c c i de n t p re v en t ion . A bi l ity to c o m m unicate e ff ec t i v e l y in wr i t ing and o r a ll y . A bi l ity to o p e r a t e c l ea n ing and g ras s - cu t t ing m achines . A bi l ity to wi l l in g ly a t t end a nd pa r t i c i p a t e i n t r a i n ing s e ssi o ns . A bi l ity to le a rn a n d p r ac t i c e ac c ep t ab l e c lea n ing m e t hods . A bi l ity to wi l l in g ly acq u ire s k ills in the op e ra t ion o f cl eaning and g r a s s - cu t t ing m achi n es u sed in the ass i g ned fa ci l i ty and t o b e a se l f - s t a r t er . I nte r act p os i ti v e l y wi th s t u den t s , ad m ini s t r a t o rs, c o - w or k e r s, p a r e n ts and c o m m u nit y . ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Physical Requirements A bi l ity to h ear the nor m a l ly spo k en word a t 25 f e et . A bi l ity to w o rk outdo o rs u nder ad v e r se we a t h er con di tio n s . A bi l ity to c li m b la d de r s a n d s t a i r s . A bi l ity to p ick up and c a rry 65 poun d s . A bi l ity to s ta n d f o r p r ol o n g ed p e riod of ti m e . The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education. Working Hours The duty day for a full-time position is 8 .5 hours per day including a thirty-minute unpaid duty-free lunch. This position is designated as an “emergency employee” under the AFSCME negotiated agreement and may require a response during inclement weather and other emergencies. When work cannot be scheduled during the school year during normal hours, weekend/evening and shift work may be required as allowed by the AFSCME negotiated agreement. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Complete applications must be submitted , and o nce your application has been submitted , you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. I ncomplete applications will not be accepted . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process. EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION Compensation This is a 12 -month per year position in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) employee unit. The position is salary Grade II on the Custodial Salary Scale . Step placement will be i n accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the AFSCME Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime. Retirement Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary . Benefits HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. Pre-Employment Requirements Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. A ll employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, s ome positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing . Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. For questions regarding this posting, please contact EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email . HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.