Custodian

The Custodian position performs basic cleaning, disinfecting, and upkeep of City-owned buildings and facilities. Work is performed with general direction and reports to the Custodial Supervisor. The anticipated work schedule for this position will be (subject to change due to operational needs):

• Mon – Fri; 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM

The hiring amount for this position is between $16.70 - $20.52 an hour ($34,736.00 - $42,681.60 Annually).  Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.

As of March 28, 2024, this position is part of the Labor and Trades bargaining unit, as defined by the City’s Collective Bargaining Ordinance (Ordinance No. 22-128). In accordance with the Labor and Trades Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) effective July 1, 2025, future wage adjustments are subject to terms and conditions of the CBA between the City and the exclusive bargaining representative.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Performs routine general cleaning duties include sweeping, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, spot cleaning carpets, cleaning restrooms, cleaning glass and mirrors, cleaning walls, vents and baseboards and disinfecting areas.
• Checks supply levels and restocks supplies including soap, towels, trash bags etc.
• Empties and/or bags trash from cans and receptacles and disposes of trash in an appropriate manner.
• Removal and disposal of recycling paper.
• Performs minor maintenance tasks such as replacing light bulbs, toilet and sink clogs, ensuring easy access to public areas, etc.
• Ensures the security of building by locking/unlocking doors. Reports any concerns to the proper individuals.
• Ensures workplace safety and environment practices including reporting needs and concerns to appropriate staff including submitting or recommending work orders.
• Responds to the needs of staff, visitors, and customers by assisting in and cleaning up spills, restroom problems, accidents, and potential safety hazards.
• Follows safety instructions and attends appropriate safety training, including appropriate spill clean-up methods, procedures, and using proper materials.
• Provides customer service including answering general questions, providing directions and information to vendors and facility users.
• Ensures proper care in the use and upkeep of custodial equipment assigned. Reports needs to proper supervisor.
• Provides seasonal deep cleaning including floor and carpet cleaning, window washing, and others as needed.
• May maintain building perimeter by sweeping walkways, picking up litter and debris and/or basic snow removal as needed.
• Maintains a clean and safe work area.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Subject to being called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.  Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.

Other Duties:

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Completion of seventh grade AND six (6) months of experience in cleaning and sanitation of buildings or commercial facilities.

• Two (2) years of experience in cleaning and sanitation of buildings or commercial facilities.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Job Knowledge

• Basic: familiarity with the work to know common principles and terminology of cleaning procedures, techniques, and proper use of supplies and to understand and solve simple problems.
• Working knowledge in the handling of specialized cleaning chemicals.
• Working knowledge of the potential risks of exposure to fluids, chemicals, and working knowledge (and use of) personal protective equipment.

Reading

• Basic: understands the meaning of commonly used multi-syllable words and simple paragraphs.  Comprehends simple written instructions, procedures, labels, signs, and notices.

Writing

• Basic: writes work orders, reports regarding custodial maintenance, simple letters, paragraphs and sentences containing subject, verb, and object, and/or series of numbers, names, and addresses.

Math

• Basic: Performs the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division to measure cleaning liquids, count supplies etc

Communication Skills

• Routine: regular and routine interaction involving providing or exchanging basic information with employees, supervisors, and the public. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions or established standard operating procedures and/or policies.  There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance is reviewed frequently.

Technical Skills

• Basic: uses standard technical skills appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. May need entry level skill in Word, Excel and/or departmental software. Basic skill in adhering to checklists and following detailed instructions for task completion. 

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities.

Other Characteristics

• Takes responsibility for finding answers to questions and responding appropriately.
• Performs multiple tasks simultaneously.
• May perform work with interruptions and requests for service.
• May require a non-traditional work schedule, which may include nights, weekends and/or holidays.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Work requires move about various offices/facilities, climbing (ascending/descending steps and or ladders), lifting, balancing, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, pushing/pulling, twisting, and grasping.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information involving position duties.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
• General cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaning equipment, etc.

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed indoors which may involve exposure to chemicals/hazardous waste, blood-borne pathogens, and inadequate lighting.
• The work is subject to both inside and outside environmental and atmospheric conditions, may be exposed to extreme temperatures and uneven terrain.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The position works:
  • Near moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.
  • In and around dust, odors, fumes and/or airborne particles.
  • In and around toxic chemicals.
  • In and around confined spaces.

Salary : $34,736 - $42,682