WHAT DOES A LEAD CUSTODIAN DO?

Published: Jan 16, 2026 - The Lead Custodian performs routine custodial duties such as dusting, mopping, vacuuming, restroom cleaning, restocking supplies, and ensuring equipment is used and maintained correctly. This role involves reporting maintenance needs, unlocking and securing areas, supporting seasonal or project-based cleaning tasks, and assisting with minor maintenance and snow removal. The custodian also promotes workplace safety, exercises initiative in completing assignments, and works flexible hours to support university operations.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Lead Custodian

1. Lead Custodian Accountabilities

  • Floor Care: Dust, sweep, and/or wax all hard floor surfaces.
  • Floor Care: Scrub, strip, and wax all hard floor surfaces.
  • Floor Maintenance: Spray buff and/or burnish all hard floor surfaces.
  • Carpet Cleaning: Vacuum and spot clean all carpets and upholstery.
  • Carpet Care: Shampoo carpets and upholstery.
  • Surface Cleaning: Wash walls, inside windows, window sills, baseboards, and glass doors.
  • Restroom Sanitation: Clean and sanitize restrooms, including fixtures, hardware, tile surfaces, mirrors, partitions, and floors.
  • Supply Management: Responsible for replacing restroom supplies.
  • Basic Maintenance: Accountable for unclogging toilets.

2. Lead Custodian Roles and Details

  • Issue Reporting: Report all plumbing problems to the Assistant Supervisor immediately.
  • Graffiti Removal: Remove graffiti from walls and other surfaces.
  • Work Order Processing: Issue a work order and advise the Assistant Supervisor if the issue cannot be resolved.
  • Office Cleaning: Dust office furniture, chairs, filing cabinets, and other furnishings in offices or elsewhere in the building on a daily basis.
  • Board Cleaning: Clean chalkboards, green boards, whiteboards, chalk trays, and erasers daily.
  • Waste Management: Collect trash and debris, including the removal of infectious waste containers, and dispose of all trash and infectious waste in designated areas.
  • Ashtray Maintenance: Responsible for emptying ashtrays daily.
  • Schedule Compliance: Follow the daily custodial schedule for the assigned station.

3. Lead Custodian Duties and Roles

  • Work Orders: Perform work orders.
  • Equipment Care: Maintain proper care and use of equipment and materials in the assigned station, including custodial rooms.
  • Maintenance Reporting: Notify the Supervisor or Assistant Supervisors of maintenance issues so a work order can be generated.
  • Staff Training: Assist Supervisors in the training of staff in cleaning methods and/or procedures.
  • Station Coverage: Relieve, assist, or temporarily substitute on other stations as assigned by the Facilities Operations Manager or Assistant Supervisors of Custodians.
  • Supply Distribution: Assist in the distribution of supplies to custodial staff.
  • Safety Compliance: Follow established safety policies and procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment necessary to perform all duties safely.
  • Work Order Creation: Generate work orders for items in need of repair.

4. Lead Custodian Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • Custodial Administration: Administer schedules and procedures for the regular, ongoing custodial care of the school facility.
  • Team Leadership: Serve as a working leader.
  • Custodial Operations: Perform custodial duties on a regular basis.
  • Coverage Management: Responsible for cleaning assigned areas on an established schedule in someone else's absence.
  • Hiring Support: Interview and recommend custodial applicants for hiring.
  • Task Assignment: Assign duties and areas of responsibility to custodians.
  • Schedule Adjustment: Adjust work schedules or areas of assignment as needed.
  • Payroll Processing: Receive and review timesheets, approve their accuracy, and submit them for payroll.
  • Performance Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate custodial staff performance (the building administrator and custodial supervisor serve as reviewers for the process).
  • Service Response: Respond to special service requests and/or complaints to building administrators or the custodial supervisor.

5. Lead Custodian Roles and Responsibilities

  • Best Practices: Provide an example of correct work practices to other custodians.
  • Staff Instruction: Work with the custodial supervisor and lead custodian to instruct custodians in proper work methods, practices, and procedures.
  • New Hire Training: Responsible for training new custodians.
  • Equipment Training: Train custodial staff in the use of new equipment, supplies, and methods.
  • Security Checks: Conduct building security checks.
  • Building Inspections: Conduct building inspections with the custodial supervisor once a month.
  • Project Planning: Work with the custodial supervisor in establishing project work, summer cleaning programs, and schedules.
  • Inventory Management: Keep an inventory of supplies and equipment on hand, and requisition needed replacements far enough in advance to avoid hindering custodial duties.
  • General Maintenance: Conduct an ongoing program of general maintenance and upkeep.
  • Maintenance Reporting: Report building maintenance and/or repair problems to the building administrator and maintenance department.

6. Lead Custodian Details

  • Custodial Services: Perform general, routine custodial duties, including dusting, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, and restocking paper and soap supplies.
  • Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance on custodial equipment and supplies.
  • Waste Disposal: Empty waste receptacles and transport them to designated containers for proper disposal.
  • Access Control: Unlock doors, ensuring doors are locked after cleaning areas.
  • Issue Reporting: Report needs and concerns to the appropriate staff.
  • Equipment Care: Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies.
  • Safety Improvement: Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
  • Facility Cleaning: Perform cleaning functions specific to assigned facilities and/or based on seasonal or project requirements.
  • Snow Removal: Assist with or perform snow removal activities and minor maintenance, such as replacing light bulbs, adjusting furniture, or similar tasks.
  • Work Initiative: Exercise initiative in completing work assignments.
  • Schedule Flexibility: Work flexible hours, including overtime, to meet the needs of university operations.