What are the responsibilities and job description for the Heavy Housekeeping/Custodian position at Principia The?
Title: Custodian/Heavy Housekeeper
Department/Location: Facilities, St. Louis, MO
Position Type: Full-time, 12-month, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. shift
Summary
The Heavy Housekeeper advances Principia by maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming campus facilities that support student learning, residential life, and administrative operations. This role is primarily responsible for the cleaning, care, and appearance of assigned buildings, including classrooms, dormitories, gymnasiums, offices, restrooms, common areas, and other campus facilities. In addition, the Heavy Housekeeper supports departmental priorities through deep cleaning projects, event setups, work order completion, transportation of materials, and coverage of custodial operations as needed. Success in this role requires reliability, attention to detail, customer service, teamwork, and a commitment to safety.
Who We Are
At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.
At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning.
Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.
Primary Responsibilities
- Cleans and maintains campus facilities, including school buildings, dorm, gymnasiums, offices, classrooms, restrooms, common areas, and other assigned areas based on operational priorities
- Performs daily custodial duties, including trash removal, recycling collection, cleaning, sanitizing, dusting, sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming
- Cleans and maintains floors through dust mopping, wet mopping, spray buffing, stripping, and recoating
- Vacuums and extracts carpeted surfaces and upholstered furnishings
- Cleans windows, fixtures, furnishings, and other assigned building features
- Maintains assigned facilities in a clean, safe, attractive, and orderly condition
- Performs deep-cleaning projects and rotational cleaning assignments throughout campus
- Responds to priority custodial work orders and special cleaning requests
- Provides custodial coverage for team members during absences, special projects, and periods of increased operational need
- Sets up and arranges tables, chairs, and equipment according to event job tickets
- Assists with transporting, moving, and setting up furniture, equipment, supplies, and other materials throughout campus
- Completes assigned work orders and event setups accurately and on schedule
- Reviews and follows event diagrams, setup instructions, and departmental work requests
- Operates custodial and floor care equipment safely and effectively
- Maintains assigned custodial equipment, vehicles, supplies, and storage areas in a clean, organized, safe, and operational condition
- Performs routine cleaning, inspection, and organization of departmental vehicles used for transporting waste, furniture, equipment, and custodial supplies
- Follows established safety procedures when using cleaning chemicals, equipment, ladders, and vehicles
- Reports safety hazards, maintenance concerns, damaged equipment, and incidents promptly
- Provides courteous and professional service to students, employees, guests, and community members
- Provides coverage and assistance from team members as needed
- Supports campus events through facility preparation, setup, teardown, transportation of materials, cleaning services, and schedule adjustments as necessary to meet event requirements
- Performs other duties as assigned
Core Competencies
Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:
Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development.- Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
- Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
- Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
- Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
- Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
- Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
- Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.
Minimum Qualifications
- Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
- High school diploma or GED required
- One or more years of custodial, housekeeping, facilities, or related experience in a school, college, healthcare, hospitality, or institutional environment preferred
- Ability to understand and follow basic oral and written instructions in English related to job duties, safety procedures, work orders, and emergency situations
- Working knowledge of custodial methods, materials, cleaning products, and equipment
- Ability to safely operate custodial equipment and tools
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
- Demonstrated reliability and ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Special Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds safely
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs, and work on ladders for extended periods
- Ability to wear required safety footwear and personal protective equipment
- Ability to read and understand safety labels, work instructions, and emergency procedures
- Ability to work the assigned shift and occasional overtime as needed
- Availability to respond to on-call and emergency situations when scheduled
- Ability to safely operate Principia vehicles
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.
Compensation and Benefits
We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:
- Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).
- Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles.
- Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.
Equal Opportunity
Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.
In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.
Salary : $19 - $23