Custodian job description template

1. Position Summary

The Custodian delivers comprehensive cleaning, sanitisation, basic facility maintenance, and security support across all assigned buildings and grounds of [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. This role exists to ensure a clean, sanitary, safe, and welcoming physical environment for employees, clients, contractors, and visitors in alignment with National Occupational Classification operational benchmarks. Working under the direct supervision of [REPORTS_TO_TITLE], the Custodian acts as the primary frontline steward of building hygiene and interior asset preservation. The primary operational outcomes of this role are the elimination of sanitation and slip-and-fall hazards, prompt restocking of operational supplies, continuous compliance with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) requirements, and immediate escalation of physical plant defects.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Daily Facility Cleaning and Sanitisation (30% of Time)

• Disinfect high-touch surfaces, door handles, light switches, handrails, and shared workstations daily using designated chemical solutions to minimise cross-contamination.
• Empty, clean, and reline interior waste receptacles and recycling bins across all office areas, meeting rooms, and common spaces.
• Dust furniture, fixtures, window sills, ventilation grilles, and baseboards on a scheduled rotation to maintain indoor air quality and facility appearance.
• Clean interior partition glass, entry door windows, and mirrors using approved non-streaking cleaning agents.

2.2 Floor Care and Surface Maintenance (20% of Time)

• Sweep, dust-mop, damp-mop, and auto-scrub hard-surface flooring throughout hallways, production zones, entryways, and common areas daily.
• Vacuum carpeted areas, runners, and walk-off mats daily, spot-cleaning stains immediately using appropriate extraction methods.
• Apply floor finish, strip, wax, and buff hard floor surfaces on a scheduled quarterly or semi-annual maintenance cycle according to manufacturer specifications.
• Deploy safety signage and barricades during wet cleaning operations to eliminate slip-and-fall risks for building occupants.

2.3 Restroom and Common Area Sanitation (15% of Time)

• Clean and disinfect all restroom fixtures, including toilets, urinals, sinks, counters, and partition walls, using approved germicidal cleaners.
• Restock soap dispensers, paper towel units, toilet tissue holders, and hand sanitiser stations across all washrooms and kitchenettes before supplies deplete.
• Clean, degrease, and sanitise staff breakrooms, cafeteria counters, kitchen sinks, microwave interiors, and exterior appliance surfaces daily.
• Monitor restroom plumbing for leaks, running fixtures, or blockages, clearing minor blockages immediately or escalating severe issues to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

2.4 Waste Management, Recycling, and Environmental Compliance (15% of Time)

• Consolidate facility waste, recyclables, compostable materials, and cardboard packaging, transporting all loads safely to external collection bins and compactors.
• Break down corrugated cardboard and operate the waste compactor or baler in strict compliance with manufacturer safety standards.
• Maintain cleanliness and odour control in exterior waste holding areas, washing out bins and sweeping surrounding pads weekly.
• Segregate hazardous materials, electronic waste, and biohazard waste in designated containment areas according to municipal guidelines and safety protocols.

2.5 Minor Facility Upkeep and Safety Inspections (10% of Time)

• Conduct daily visual walkthroughs of the facility to identify safety hazards, burnt-out lighting, damaged fixtures, or structural deficiencies.
• Replace standard interior light bulbs, fluorescent tubes using appropriate ladders and safety equipment.
• Perform minor non-structural repairs, such as tightening loose hardware, hanging small fixtures, patching drywall blemishes, or lubricating squeaking doors.
• Report significant plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), or structural issues directly to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] within [N_BUSINESS_DAYS] of observation.

2.6 Chemical Safety, Equipment Maintenance, and Supply Management (5% of Time)

• Maintain an orderly, locked custodial storage room, ensuring all chemicals are stored, labelled, and diluted in accordance with current WHMIS standards.
• Inspect, clean, and perform routine operator maintenance on custodial equipment (vacuums, auto-scrubbers, floor buffers) after each operational shift.
• Monitor cleaning chemical and consumable supply inventories, submitting replenishment requisitions to [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] before stock drops below minimum thresholds.
• Maintain accessible and up-to-date Safety Data Sheet (SDS) binders within the custodial storage room at all times.

2.7 Seasonal Grounds Maintenance and Facility Security (5% of Time)

• Clear snow, slush, and ice from primary pedestrian building entrances, emergency exit routes, and walkways, applying ice melt or sand to ensure safe passage.
• Sweep external entrance pads, remove litter from property perimeters, and empty exterior waste receptacles on a daily basis.
• Verify that exterior doors, windows, and ground-level gates are locked and secure at the conclusion of the operational shift.
• Arm the facility security alarm system and report any security breaches or unauthorized property access to [OWNER_OR_MANAGER] immediately.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Table 1: Qualification Requirements Matrix

4. Competencies

Table 2: Core Competencies and Behavioural Indicators

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions

This position involves substantial physical exertion in an operational environment. The table below outlines the bona fide occupational demands to support job matching, safe work procedures, and accommodation assessments under applicable human rights legislation.

Table 3: Working Conditions and Physical Demands Profile

5.2 Performance Measures

Table 4: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

5.3 Career Pathways

• Typical Prior Experience: Commercial Cleaner, Housekeeping Attendant, General Labourer, Groundskeeping Associate, Dishwasher/Kitchen Steward.
• Typical Lateral Moves: Facility Maintenance Helper, Warehouse Associate, Shipping/Receiving Clerk.
• Typical Advancement Pathways: Lead Custodian, Custodial Supervisor, Building Maintenance Technician, Facility Operations Coordinator.

5.4 Position Acknowledgement

I have received, reviewed, and understood the responsibilities, qualifications, and physical demands outlined in this Job Description. I understand that this document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Operational duties and responsibilities may be adjusted or amended by [ORGANIZATION_NAME] with reasonable notice based on operational requirements.

Employee Acknowledgement:

Employee Name (Printed)

Employee Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

Manager Acknowledgement:

Manager / Supervisor Name (Printed)

Manager / Supervisor Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

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