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 prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.
Job Posting End Date:
09-29-2026Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.
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Under the supervision of an Assistant Manager in Custodial Services, the Custodial Specialist LeadmanĀ is responsible forĀ the day-to-day direction and coordination of all activities for the custodial Specialist and custodial personnel assigned to them. This work involves specialized cleaning, maintenance, and repair work to schools and other building facilities. An employee in this class works independently performing skilled cleaning of gymnasium hardwoodĀ floors;Ā syntheticĀ floors;Ā and resilient floors of all types, includingĀ various typesĀ ofĀ tile; and the cleaning and repair of carpet, as assigned. Work is evaluated through inspection upon completion of assignments. Additionally, this role will conduct and oversee the function of high dusting. This position isĀ designatedĀ as an "emergency employee" under the AFSCME negotiated agreement and may require a response during inclement weather and other emergencies.Ā
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSĀ
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Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.Ā
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Education:Ā
High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application).Ā Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please clickĀ here.Ā
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Experience:Ā
Three years of experience as a custodian and two years of experience as a lead custodian.Ā
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Required Licenses and Certificates:Ā Ā
Valid driver's license and two or lessĀ pointsĀ on your driving record.Ā
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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSĀ
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Five years of experience as a custodian and three years of experience as a lead custodianĀ Ā
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ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIESĀ
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The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of allĀ possible jobĀ responsibilities, tasks, and duties.Ā
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Conducting and overseeing work in the following areas: specialized cleaning, maintenance, and repair work to schools and other building facilities, cleaning of gymnasium hardwood floors; synthetic floors; and resilient floors of all types, including various types of tile; and the cleaning and repair of carpet as well as high dusting.Ā
Ordering materials and suppliesĀ
Planning out the week for addressing work orders and strategically deploying staffĀ
Training, administrative duties (closing out work orders, meetings with team/supervisor)Ā
Operates heavy equipment and machineryĀ
Requires extensive crawling, stooping, pushing, climbing,Ā bendingĀ and liftingĀ
Must be available for emergency callsĀ
Ability to communicate effective in writing and orallyĀ
Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feetĀ
Ability to work outdoors under adverse weather conditionsĀ
Ability to climb ladders and stairsĀ
Ability to pick up and carry 65 poundsĀ
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of timeĀ
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Employee SafetyĀ
The employeeĀ is responsible forĀ the use of safety devices and protective equipmentĀ in order toĀ minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employeeĀ is responsible forĀ using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job.Ā
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 theĀ appropriate administrator.Ā
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ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESĀ
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The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilitiesĀ requiredĀ for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.Ā Ā Ā
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WorkingĀ knowledge of cleaning materials and equipmentĀ
Working knowledge of methods and procedures for rug cleaning, gymnasium floor maintenance, floorĀ strippingĀ and waxingĀ
Working knowledge of specialized treatment and maintenance of gymnasium floor and resilient floorsĀ
ProficiencyĀ in rug cleaning, floor stripping, gymnasium floor maintenance and waxing and buffing floorsĀ
Skilled in the operation of all cleaning equipment, including high-speed machines and power sprayersĀ
Ability toĀ operateĀ high-pressure graffiti washerĀ
Working knowledge of spotting and cleaning small areas of carpetĀ
Ability to tape and repaint lines on gymnasium floorsĀ
Working knowledge to mix chemicalsĀ
Ability to communicate effective in writing and orallyĀ
Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feetĀ
Ability to work outdoors under adverse weather conditionsĀ
Ability to climb ladders and stairs and stand for prolonged periods of timeĀ
Ability to pick up and carry 65 poundsĀ
Ability toĀ operateĀ cleaning and grass-cutting machinesĀ
Willingness to attend andĀ participateĀ in training sessionsĀ
Ability to learn and practice acceptable cleaning methodsĀ
Knowledge of computers to include Word, ASRIS, and Staff HubĀ
Demonstrated customer-service orientationĀ
Willingness toĀ acquireĀ skills in the operation of cleaning and grass-cutting machines used in the assigned facilityĀ
Strong human relations skills with students, administrators, co-workers,Ā parentsĀ and the communityĀ
Ability to read maps toĀ locateĀ schools and facilities belonging to the Department of Education.Ā
Ability to drive an HCPSS vehicle with trailer attachedĀ
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ADDITIONALĀ REQUIREMENTSāÆĀ
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Physical RequirementsĀ
Requires extensive walking, stooping, pushing, carrying, climbing,Ā bendingĀ and lifting.Ā
Ability to pick up and carry 65 pounds.Ā
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time.Ā
Ability to climb ladders and stairs.Ā
Ability to hear the normally spoken word at 25 feet.Ā
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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.Ā
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Working HoursĀ
The duty day for a full-time position is 8.5Ā hours per dayĀ including an unpaidĀ duty-freeĀ thirty-minuteĀ lunch.Ā
This position isĀ designatedĀ as an āemergency employeeā 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 beĀ requiredĀ as allowed by the AFSCME negotiated agreement.Ā Ā
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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTSĀ
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Complete applications must beĀ submitted, and once your application has beenĀ submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.Ā Ā Resumes will not beĀ accepted in lieu of a completed application.Ā Ā
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SELECTIONĀ CRITERIAĀ
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Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation.Ā Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience which most closelyĀ matchesĀ theĀ positionĀ qualifications and the needs of the school system.Ā Ā
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EMPLOYMENT INFORMATIONĀ
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CompensationĀ
This is aĀ 12-month per year position in theĀ American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)Ā employee unit. TheĀ current salary rangeĀ for this position isĀ GradeĀ 7Ā Ā onĀ theĀ CustodialĀ SalaryĀ Scale.Ā Plus 12%Ā supplemental senior pay.Ā Step placement will beĀ in accordance withĀ the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and theĀ AFSCMEĀ Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position isĀ not exemptĀ from overtime.āÆāÆĀ
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RetirementĀ
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 employeeĀ electĀ membership.Ā The annualĀ contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employeeās annual salary.Ā Ā
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BenefitsĀ
HCPSS offers aĀ comprehensive benefits packageĀ for eligible employees.Ā Information aboutĀ additionalĀ benefits such as paid time off can be found in theĀ negotiated agreementĀ for employees in this bargaining unit.Ā
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Pre-EmploymentĀ RequirementsĀ
Professional references will be contacted prior to any offerĀ ofĀ employment. Recommended candidates willĀ be requiredĀ toĀ provide references from current and recent supervisors.Ā
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All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review,Ā pursuant toĀ Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.Ā In addition, some positions will requireĀ completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.Ā
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Anyone offered employment isĀ requiredĀ to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSSĀ participates in E-Verify andĀ does not offer employee sponsorship.Ā
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For questionsĀ regardingĀ thisĀ posting, please contactĀ humanresources@hcpss.org.Ā
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.
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,Ā 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.
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