About This Role:

The Lead Custodian role is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming school environment. This role includes routine custodial duties and light maintenance tasks to support daily school operations. The ideal candidate is dependable, detail-oriented, and takes pride in helping create a safe and orderly learning environment for students and staff. 

Key Responsibilities:

Cleaning & Sanitation

• Perform routine cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, and disinfecting surfaces in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, offices, and other areas of the school, including lawns, sidewalks, and parking lots.

• Clean and sanitize restrooms (toilets, sinks, mirrors, floors) to maintain a hygienic environment for students, staff, and visitors.

• Respond promptly to emergency cleanup requests, student accidents, and incidents involving bodily fluids or biohazards in accordance with OSHA and universal precautions.

• Participate in deep-cleaning projects during school breaks, including floor waxing, carpet shampooing, high-dusting, and classroom resets.

• Strip, wax, and polish floors as needed; operate floor-scrubbing and carpet-cleaning equipment as required.

• Perform weekly or as-needed pressure washing of high-use exterior areas, sidewalks, walkways, and lunch areas.

• Conduct light groundskeeping (leaf blowing, spot weeding, debris removal) to maintain campus appearance.
  

Waste Management & Sustainability

• Collect, separate, and dispose of trash, recycling, and compost in alignment with school and city waste-management guidelines.

• Ensure all waste stations (trash, recycling, compost) are properly labeled, well-maintained, and emptied regularly.

• Support school sustainability efforts by ensuring proper sorting and preventing contamination of recycling and compost streams.

• Keep interior and exterior waste areas clean, orderly, and free of overflow.

Facilities Maintenance & Repairs

• Perform routine maintenance tasks such as changing light bulbs, replacing filters, unclogging drains, repairing fixtures, and conducting basic plumbing, electrical, and HVAC troubleshooting to ensure proper functioning of school facilities.

• Complete moderate repairs (e.g., patching walls) and assemble or install furniture and equipment as needed.

• Conduct regular inspections of facilities, equipment, and grounds to identify issues, address safety hazards, and implement timely solutions.

• Respond promptly and professionally to urgent maintenance needs.

• Identify, report, and support response to pest issues following approved pest management procedures.

• Maintain tools, equipment, and supplies to ensure availability and safe operating condition; transport items as needed for maintenance tasks.

• Operate, adjust, and shut down building systems—including HVAC, security systems (alarms, cameras, access controls), sound/PA systems, landscaping and irrigation equipment, and other site systems—ensuring proper settings during daily operations, events, and holiday periods.

Safety & Security

• Use cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and custodial equipment safely and correctly, following manufacturer instructions, school protocols, and required safety training (including PPE and SDS/label requirements).

• Monitor the premises for safety hazards (e.g., spills, debris, obstructed walkways) and address them promptly to prevent accidents or injuries.

• Report any maintenance issues, safety concerns, or security incidents to the appropriate personnel

• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, health guidelines, and school safety procedures.

• Perform daily opening and closing routines, including unlocking/locking gates, arming/disarming alarms, adjusting lighting, and preparing spaces for the school day.

• Secure buildings, entrances, and exits at the start and end of shifts.

• Assist with emergency response tasks, such as shutting off utilities, clearing walkways after weather events, and supporting evacuation or shelter-in-place procedures.

• Participate in emergency drills (earthquake, fire, lockdown) to ensure facility readiness and adherence to safety protocols.

• Follow all school policies and procedures related to cleaning, safety, and security.

Inventory, Supplies & Equipment Management

• Accurately track cleaning supplies and equipment inventory and notify the Operations Manager when supplies need to be replenished or equipment requires maintenance or replacement.

• Deliver, stock, and organize supplies and materials in appropriate areas of the building.

• Request equipment and supplies to maintain inventory and ensure availability of required items.

• Assist the School Operations Manager in coordinating access for vendors or contractors and ensuring work areas are prepared and restored after service visits.

Event & School Support

• Support with additional cleaning and setup assistance during special events, meetings, or activities held at the school, as directed by administrators or event organizers.

• Move and arrange furniture and equipment when preparing multipurpose rooms or classrooms for events or meetings.

• Move, load, and unload heavy furniture, equipment, and supply deliveries using proper lifting techniques and equipment 

• Collaborate with school staff and vendors as needed.

Communication, Reporting & Professional Development

• Provide reports to management as required.

• Train and support custodial staff or substitutes as assigned.

• Participate in professional development and regularly scheduled meetings with the school team or cross-site team of custodians as requested.
• Use work order or ticketing systems to log maintenance issues, track progress, and document completed tasks.

• Other duties as assigned to support safe, effective school operations.

Core Competencies:

Technical & Safety Skills

• Proficiency with custodial, maintenance, and repair tools and equipment.

• Working knowledge of basic mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals and follow safety protocols, including OSHA standards, SDS requirements, and proper PPE usage.

• Strong attention to detail when performing inspections, documenting work, and identifying safety hazards.

Problem-Solving & Judgment

• Ability to diagnose maintenance issues, evaluate solutions, and prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact.

• Creativity and resourcefulness in resolving unexpected issues or emergencies.

• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and reliability.

Communication & Collaboration

• Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, students, vendors, and supervisors.

• Effectively provide explanations of technical issues in understandable terms.

• Strong active listening skills and professional demeanor when responding to requests.

Customer Service & Adaptability

• Responsiveness to maintenance and custodial needs from staff and school leadership.

• Ability to adapt to changing schedules, priorities, and environments (indoor/outdoor).

• Resilience in handling physically demanding tasks, urgent issues, or unexpected challenges.

Work Habits & Professionalism

• Consistent attention to detail and follow-through.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

• Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming school environment.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Proven experience in facility maintenance, preferably in an educational setting.

• Working knowledge of building systems including plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

• Proficiency in using maintenance tools and equipment.

• Availability for flexible hours, including evenings and weekends for emergencies or special projects.

• Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation for travel between school sites in Los Angeles.

• Demonstrated cultural competency and understanding of urban school environments.

• Communicate verbally and in writing effectively.

• Comfortable working in various weather conditions.

• Lift and carry heavy objects, equipment, or materials up to 75 pounds, including moving furniture, equipment, or supplies.

• Stand and walk for extended periods.

• Bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch to access equipment or fixtures.

• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate tools and machinery safely.

• Climb ladders, stairs, scaffolding, or other structures safely.

• Physical stamina to perform repetitive or strenuous maintenance tasks.

• Balance and coordination to work safely at heights or while operating equipment.

• Adequate vision and hearing to identify hazards and communicate effectively.

• Overall physical fitness to meet the demands of the job.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Citizens of the World Charter Schools (CWC) prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, parental, pregnancy, family or marital status, military status, immigration status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. CWC requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying. Questions or complaints of alleged discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying, equity or Title IX equity and compliance concerns should be directed to: CWC People and Human Resources Department at talent-hr@cwclosangeles.org