Custodian job description.
A Custodian maintains the cleanliness, safety, and upkeep of buildings and grounds. They perform routine cleaning tasks, minor repairs, and inventory management to keep facilities in good condition for occupants and visitors.
The Custodian job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Custodian Reports to: Facilities Manager or Building Supervisor
A Custodian maintains the cleanliness, safety, and upkeep of buildings and grounds. They perform routine cleaning tasks, minor repairs, and inventory management to keep facilities in good condition for occupants and visitors.
- Clean and sanitize floors, restrooms, and common areas
- Empty trash and recycling receptacles on a regular schedule
- Perform minor maintenance and report larger repair needs
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
2 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Facilities Manager or Building Supervisor
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Clean and sanitize floors, restrooms, and common areas
- Empty trash and recycling receptacles on a regular schedule
- Perform minor maintenance and report larger repair needs
- Restock cleaning and restroom supplies as needed
- Set up and break down rooms for events or meetings
- Follow safety protocols when handling cleaning chemicals
- Maintain outdoor areas such as walkways and entrances
- Respond promptly to spills or urgent cleaning requests
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lb / 23 kg
- Physical stamina to stand, bend, and walk for extended periods
- Basic knowledge of cleaning equipment and chemical safety
- Prior custodial or janitorial experience
- Familiarity with floor care and buffing equipment
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Custodian job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Custodian job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Facilities Manager or Building Supervisor) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What shifts do custodians typically work?
- Custodial roles often include evening, overnight, or early-morning shifts to clean facilities outside peak occupancy hours.
- Is training provided for handling cleaning chemicals?
- Most employers provide safety training on proper chemical handling and equipment use during onboarding.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Janitor
A Janitor maintains cleanliness and order in commercial, institutional, or residential facilities.
Facilities Manager
A Facilities Manager oversees the maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of a building or property portfolio.
Porter
A Porter handles cleaning, light maintenance, and material-moving tasks that keep a hotel, building, or facility running smoothly.
This Custodian job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.