Custodian - Oakwood University

About this role

Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL is seeking a dedicated and reliable Custodian to join its facilities team. The primary focus of this position is maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming work and educational environment by cleaning assigned buildings or areas across campus. This is a hands-on, active role that plays a vital part in the day-to-day experience of students, faculty, and staff. As a Custodian, you will be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of entrances, hallways, restrooms, classrooms, and offices within your assigned areas. You will work as part of a broader facilities and physical plant team, contributing to the overall safety and functionality of the campus environment. Attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to professionalism are essential to success in this role. Candidates must be able to meet physical demands including lifting up to 50 pounds, climbing ladders and stairs, and working in varying weather conditions including wet, cold, and hot environments. All employees are expected to maintain a professional image and adhere to the dress code standards set by the location, including wearing khaki or blue bottoms and a provided shirt, with no jewelry permitted beyond a wedding band.

A Day in the Life

A typical day as a Custodian at Oakwood University begins with reviewing your assigned buildings and areas and prioritizing tasks based on scheduled maintenance needs and any overnight or early-morning activity. You will clean and maintain entrances, hallways, restrooms, classrooms, and offices according to established schedules, ensuring every space is safe, sanitary, and presentable for students and staff. Throughout your shift, you will operate and maintain assigned cleaning equipment, and perform specialized floor care tasks such as buffing, bonneting, stripping, and waxing as needed. If you notice any facility issues or needed repairs, you will document and report them to the Physical Plant team. You may be asked to assist in a neighboring building when coverage is needed, so flexibility and adaptability are key. Your day wraps up with a final check of your assigned areas, ensuring everything meets the university's cleanliness standards before the next wave of campus activity begins.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a professional image and attitude at all times while representing Oakwood University's facilities team, adhering to dress code standards set by the location, including wearing khaki or blue bottoms and a provided shirt, with no jewelry permitted beyond a wedding band.
• Clean all entrances, hallways, and restrooms within assigned areas on a consistent and timely basis.
• Maintain regular cleaning and maintenance schedules for classrooms and offices.
• Operate, clean, and maintain assigned custodial equipment to ensure proper functionality and longevity.
• Report all identified maintenance needs and facility repairs to the Physical Plant department promptly, including documenting issues.
• Perform specialized floor care duties including buffing, bonneting, stripping, and waxing as scheduled or directed.
• Occasionally clean and maintain more than one building as needed based on staffing and campus demands, assisting in neighboring buildings when coverage is needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisors to support the overall cleanliness and safety of campus facilities.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming work and educational environment by cleaning assigned buildings or areas across campus.
• Contribute to the overall safety and functionality of the campus environment.
• Review assigned buildings and areas and prioritize tasks based on scheduled maintenance needs and any overnight or early-morning activity.
• Ensure every space is safe, sanitary, and presentable for students and staff.
• Perform a final check of assigned areas, ensuring everything meets the university's cleanliness standards before the next wave of campus activity begins.

Requirements

Required

• ! High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• ! Ability to lift at least 50 pounds safely and consistently
• ! Ability to comfortably climb a ladder and/or stairs as part of regular duties
• ! Ability to work in a conscientious manner to ensure safe work practices at all times
• ! Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment
• ! Ability to work in varying environmental conditions including wet, cold, and hot weather
• ! Attention to detail
• ! Strong work ethic
• ! Commitment to professionalism
• ! Flexibility and adaptability (e.g., assisting in neighboring buildings when coverage is needed)

Preferred

• Two or more years of experience in custodial, janitorial, or facilities maintenance work
• Familiarity with commercial cleaning products, equipment, and safety data sheets (SDS)
• Prior experience performing floor care techniques such as buffing, stripping, or waxing in an institutional or commercial setting
• Experience working in an educational, university, or large institutional environment

Benefits of joining Spur