Substitute Custodian

2025-26 - Substitute Custodian North Thurston Public Schools

Employment begins:  school year.

The school custodian plays an essential role in maintaining the building and physical plant and supports a learning environment that promotes health, attitude and pride of students. In addition to regular building maintenance functions the school custodian provides direct support to classroom teachers in set up and maintenance of furniture and equipment. The school custodian also serves as a role model for students by displaying a professional, courteous, and helpful nature.

Assists in campus security as necessary. The district represents a diverse community. More than 50% of our students arrive with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District’s diverse populations.

The school custodian receives day-to-day direction from the school administrator(s) and receives specific performance requirements from the supervisor for maintenance/custodial. The school custodian operates within district and school policies and procedures, and by applying acceptable custodial standards, Labor and Industry standards, and OSHA standards.

• Cleaning Functions:
  • Sweep, mop, vacuum, scrub, and refinish floors; clean, dust and polish furniture; wash windows and walls; clean restrooms; dispose of rubbish, change lights, etc.; make certain all areas of the building are kept in a clean, sanitary and orderly condition according to industry and/or district standards.
  • Pick up litter within the schools and on school grounds.
  • Assure safety during inclement weather including shoveling, salting, providing slip protection on wet floors, securing against wind damage, snow removal from roofs, removing debris from downspouts when clogged, etc.
  • Apply cleaning chemicals according to established safety procedures.
  • Adhere to safety measures for cleaning, lifting, moving, and operating equipment.
  • Perform minor repair and maintenance as authorized by district maintenance staff.
  • Remove extraneous dirt/markings from interior and exterior vertical/horizontal surfaces (walls, doors, etc.).
  • Advise building principal/Maintenance Department on matters relating to mechanical equipment and/or building maintenance.
  • Perform minor painting to walls, rails, playgrounds and other areas of the school.
  • Keep all equipment in a good state of repair and cleanliness.
• Administrative Functions:
  • Initiate maintenance service requests according to district procedures. Follow-through to assure that maintenance is performed in a timely manner.
  • Maintain inventory and request cleaning supplies and materials needed to accomplish assigned tasks.
  • Maintain awareness of energy conservation and make suggestions of methods and procedures to consider energy.
  • Secure equipment and supplies and protect against pilferage, loss, theft, or abuse.
  • Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Safety and Security:
  • Periodically inspect, or otherwise maintain awareness of, facility and equipment to detect and prevent injuries or damage.
  • Secure school building to ensure proper building security at all times. Lock, secure and code out building at end of shift.
  • Verify that emergency equipment is maintained and repaired as needed.
  • Assist in implementing emergency planning and response.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Experience working with culturally diverse families and communities, or a demonstrated commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• Completed an apprenticeship or the equivalent within the specific trade/craft area.
• Training in First Aid. CPR and defibrillator training may be required.
• Ability to communicate and maintain good working relations with all District employees, vendors, contractors, and public entities.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with frequent interruptions requiring the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work while responding to interruptions and changing priorities.
• Initiative and ability to work with minimal direction; sound judgment and decision making capabilities are essential.
• Knowledge of state and local codes related to assigned trade/craft.
• Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license and a safe driving record and be able and willing to operate district owned vehicles.

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Experience with and knowledge of intrusion alarms, automatic fire alarm/sprinkler systems, HVAC systems and controls (computer controlled type experience preferred).

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an…