33138BR
Job Title:
INTERNAL ONLY Lead Custodian (10:30pm - 7am)
Department:
Custodial Services
Primary Campus:
University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
Job Description:
70% - Custodial Duties:
Bath Facilities: Office, Classroom and Facilities Maintenance: Vacuums, bonnets and extracts carpeted areas using appropriate equipment and chemicals. Dust mops clean tile floors, wet mops stains and spots on tiled floors using paid method and semi-automatic scrubbers. Empties trash, using special care in research and lab areas, cleans containers and replaces liners. Dusts furniture, blinds and other surfaces. Cleans glass, ledges, chalk and dry marker boards. Some work locations require attention to bio-hazards.
Hallways, Stairways, Elevators, Entrances and Exteriors: On resilient surfaces, dust mops, scrubs and burnishes with a variety of specialized equipment. Wet mops spots and stains on tiled areas and floor mats. Spot cleans walls, doors, carpets, jams, and kickplates. Washes windows and rails. Dusts and polishes surfaces. Cleans fire extinguishers cases and reports damaged and/or missing equipment to the supervisor. Cleans display cases, drinking fountains, furniture, etc. Cleans exterior entrances daily, removing snow and ice when necessary. Checks and maintains exterior areas, handicap access ramps and equipment, elevator cabs and doors, etc.
Floor Maintenance: Strips floors, chemical detergent scrubs in non-carpeted areas. Burnishes tile floors, bonnets and deep extracts carpeted areas, cleans and maintains specialty floors such as wood, cork, quarry tile, etc. using a variety of automatic equipment. Follows associated safety procedures in order to avoid injury to self, others, and equipment damage.
15% - Lead Custodian: The Lead Custodian will provide direction to other employees while performing the same general @type and kind of duties. Responsibilities for this position include training and supporting group/team members and helping to ensure that all established quality standards are met. The Lead Custodian will reinforce workflow for the staff and actively participate in the completion of scheduled tasks. All tasks will be completed in a timely, efficient, and safe manner. Lead and work directly with custodial staff assigned to clean & sanitize facilities in an assigned area. Lead custodial project and floor care teams. Instruct and/or train workers as necessary in the use of materials, equipment, methods, procedures, and safety regulations. Assist supervisors conduct yearly targeted training workshops. Assist employees with computer tasks. Participates in training sessions and in- service classes or workshops. Serve as part of the emergency phone rotation, responding to urgent calls outside of normal business hours according to established schedules and protocols.
10% - Supplies, chemicals, and equipment maintenance: Help assure availability of necessary tools, materials and equipment and provide for proper storage. Maintain equipment inventory. Follows safety policies regarding use of supplies, tools, and equipment. Maintain records of equipment. Ensure supply rooms are kept neat and tidy. Take supply inventory. Equipment used ranges from hand tools to more advanced high-speed and semi-automatic cleaning equipment. Performs daily required maintenance on a variety of tools and equipment. Maintains clean, organized, and stocked supply carts/closets, etc. Reports equipment repair and maintenance needs/concerns to supervisor. Mixes caustic and/or toxic chemicals to MSDS specifications to avoid improper use or exposure to self or others. Includes cleaning storage and operation areas.
5% - Other assigned tasks: Performs other duties related to cleaning or maintenance as assigned including working at similar tasks in another facility to cover for absent staff or extra staffing needs. Moves equipment and supplies in and out of campus buildings as directed to clean. Assists with snow removal and surface treatment. May write work orders, estimates of time and materials needed. Inform supervisor regarding work progress and operational problems. Notify supervisor of employee performance and conduct.
Req ID (Ex: 10567BR) :
33138BR
Disclaimer:
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.
Work Schedule:
10:30pm-7am, Su-Th
FLSA Status:
Nonexempt
Contact Information to Applicants:
Sean Hunt
seanhunt@ku.edu
785-423-0563
Required Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Three (3) years custodial work that involves hands on cleaning.
One (1) year of custodial work that involves floor care, to include scrubbing, stripping, and waxing hard surface floors. Also, to include experience in carpet cleaning involving the use of carpet shampooing/extracting equipment.
Valid driver's license at time of hire and maintained throughout employment.
Employee Class:
B-University Support Staff
Advertised Salary Range:
Starting at $19.23 + $0.60 shift differential
FTE:
1.0
Preferred Qualifications:
Custodial experience in large residential or commercial buildings as evidenced by application materials.
Advanced training in custodial and high-volume cleaning operations as evidenced by application materials.
Experience interacting with customers and/or the public as evidenced by application materials.
Leadership experience and/or training as evidenced by application materials.
Position Overview:
This is an internal search available ONLY to current KU employees
The Lead Custodian position is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation across bath facilities, common areas, entrances, and, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. In addition to performing custodial duties, the Lead Custodian provides direction and training to custodial staff, reinforcing workflow and quality standards. They lead project and floor care teams, assist with training, and support staff with computer-based tasks. The position also includes managing supplies and equipment, maintaining inventory, and ensuring proper storage and maintenance.
Custodial Services within KU Operations plays a vital role in ensuring facilities are clean, safe, and healthy environments in which to live, learn, and work. KU Operations supports KU's mission of learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor by providing the visible and behind-the-scenes services that make possible the university's academic and research missions.
KU offers great benefits to employees with up to 176 hours of paid vacation er year, 96 hours of sick leave earned per year, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical & dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options, and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities.
Tuition assistance offers up to 12 credit hours per year for employees and Employee Dependent Tuition Assistance Scholarship (EDTAS) award opportunities! Details available at: https://humanresources.ku.edu/tuition-assistance
KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard, and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.
Reg/Temp:
Regular
Shift Differential:
60 cents
Application Review Begins:
10-Jul-2026
Anticipated Start Date:
24-Aug-2026
Additional Candidate Instruction:
A complete application will include your current contact information including email and phone number and your previous work experience including dates of employment. Applicants must provide cover letter, resume, and list of three references with contact information in their application materials.
Application review begins Friday, July 10th. For consideration, please apply no later than Thursday, July 9th.
Union:
055
Job Family:
Facilit Plan Design&Operat-KUL
Work Location Assignment:
On-Site
Position Requirements:
Ability to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds frequently and the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds occasionally with or without accommodation.
Ability to bend, stoop and/or kneel frequently.
Physical strength sufficient to stand the strain of working long hours at custodial tasks.
Willingness and ability to work overtime as needed.
Willingness and ability to work under a variety of extreme temperature and weather.
