School custodians provide educational support by keeping school buildings clean and in good working condition. They work behind the scenes to ensure that the facility is safe, sanitary, comfortable, and conducive to teaching and learning.

Responsibilities typically include cleaning duties such as mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming carpets, dusting furniture, emptying trashcans, replenishing bathroom supplies, and exterminating insects and rodents. In addition, some custodians make minor repairs, paint, work on carpentry projects, mow lawns, remove snow, and maintain heating and air-conditioning equipment.

Custodians who supervise others must coordinate work assignments, inspect work to see that it has been done properly, inventory supplies, screen and hire job applicants, train new employees, and prepare reports for school administrators.

Employment for custodians is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014. Job openings should be plentiful due to the need to replace those who leave this large occupation each year. Contributing factors include the limited education and training requirements, low pay, and abundance of part-time and temporary jobs.

School custodians must be dependable, hard workers who enjoy good health, follow directions well, and get along with people of all ages. They must be organized, able to work independently, and capable of working in unpleasant conditions. Character is important for custodians who have full access to the private offices of principals and superintendents.

Custodians must have physical stamina and strength to bend and stoop, climb ladders, make repetitive arm-hand movements, set up equipment, move objects, wash walls and windows, and operate power-driven machinery. A physical assessment is required by some institutions.

Custodians must also know how to properly handle machinery, equipment, and cleaning agents to avoid harming floors, fixtures, and themselves.

Custodial positions have no educational requirements, but beginners should be able to read, perform simple arithmetic, and follow instructions. A high school diploma improves the chances for advancement in schools where there is more than one maintenance worker.

Most custodians learn their skills on the job under the direction of an experienced worker. Those who work alone may be required to have previous maintenance experience.

School custodians usually work inside heated, well-lighted buildings, but must sometimes work outdoors. Working with machines can be noisy, and some tasks can be dirty and unpleasant. Custodians spend most of their time on their feet and must take precautions to minimize cuts, bruises, burns from machines and chemicals, and back injuries and sprains from lifting heavy furniture and equipment.