About this role
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:
09-29-2026
Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.
This is a working supervisory custodial position . An employee in this class, with technical supervision from the building supervisor, custodial manager or assistant manager and administrative supervision from a building supervisor, is responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of the assigned facility and grounds . The incumbent provides supervision of assigned custodians . Work is evaluated through observation while work is in progress and by inspection of completed assignments .
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.
Education:
- High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here .
Experience:
- Two years of experience as a custodian.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years of experience as a custodian in a school system or building maintenance .
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.
- Coordinates and directs all aspects of routine building and ground maintenance including general cleaning, snow removal and lawn mowing .
- Performs inspections to ensure building security and cleanliness of the building .
- Ensures custodial staff is trained to secure building and equipment .
- Cleans buildings by sweeping, dusting, mopping, scrubbing, sealing, washing surfaces, vacuuming, buffing surfaces, etc.
- Performs ground maintenance by mowing, watering, sweeping, and weeding .
- Moves and stores furniture and equipment .
- Removes snow and ice .
- Must be available for emergency calls .
- The above list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.
- Makes custodian job assignments and ensures the completion of work .
- Performs general building maintenance to include cleaning bathrooms, dusting, washing windows, scrubbing walls, cleaning furniture, filling dispensers, moving furniture, washing chalkboards, assisting in the cafeteria, cleaning trays, replacing light bulbs and neon tubes, removing gum, picking up trash from floors, cleaning drinking fountains, and cleaning trash cans .
- Make minor repairs .
- Check and clean equipment .
- Open and secure building .
- Floor maintenance includes vacuuming, sweeping, dry and wet mop, scrub, wax, and buff .
- Outdoor maintenance: pick-up lawn debris, shovel snow, cut grass, clean sidewalks .
- Operate cleaning equipment: vacuum cleaner, scrubber, buffer .
- Use buckets, wet and dry mops, and brooms .
- Operate grass-cutting equipment .
Employee Safety
- The 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.
- Working knowledge of housecleaning methods, practices and materials used in clean maintenance operations .
- Working knowledge of equipment, supplies and practices in housekeeping management .
- Procedures and methods used to requisition supplies and maintain supply records and reports .
- Working knowledge of building maintenance to include boilers and building mechanical systems .
- Ability to make minor repairs and assemble furniture and equipment used at an assigned facility .
- Knowledge of current negotiated agreement, Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) booklet and Energy Management Program (EMP0, Automated Service Request Information Systems General (ASRIS) .
- General knowledge of supervision and leadership principles .
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally .
- Ability to plan and organize work, delegate work to others, be a self- starter and motivate others .
- Provide leadership to the custodial staff .
- Strong human relations skills with students, administrators, co-workers, parents, and the community .
- Ability to operate cleaning and grass cutting machines .
- Willingness to attend and participate in training sessions .
- Ability to learn and practice acceptable cleaning methods .
- Willingness to acquire skills in the operation of cleaning and grass-cutting machines used in the assigned facility.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical Requirements
- Requires extensive walking, stooping, pushing, carrying, climbing, bending, and lifting .
- Ability to pick up and carry 65 pounds .
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time .
- Ability to climb ladders and stairs.
- Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feet.
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 30-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 matches the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.
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 current salary range for this position is Grade 6 on the Custodial S alary S cale. Step placement will be in 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 [email protected] .
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [email protected] .
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.