What are the responsibilities and job description for the Custodian position at United Planning Organization?
The United Planning Organization (UPO) is the designated Community Action Agency for Washington, District of Columbia, and has served the residents of the District since 1962. Our Vision for the future is “UPO’s Washington: A city of thriving communities and self-sufficient residents”; our Mission is “Uniting People with Opportunities.”
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply for this position or any other position currently advertised on our website. Please visit us at www.upo.org to view all of our vacancies and to learn more about our company and services.
POSITION: Custodian
DIVISION/OFFICE: Office of Facilities Management
BULLETIN No: 02012026
HOURLY RANGE: $18.00-$19.00 per hour
OPENING DATE: January 20th, 2026
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled
FIRST SOURCE: N/A
MAJOR DUTIES:
Responsible for cleaning and maintenance of assigned areas in UPO leased and/or owned facilities. Perform custodian and maintenance duties and tasks, including floor care (buffing and waxing); dusting; sweeping; cleaning; restocking of essential necessities in rest or break rooms or other facility areas; painting; snow removal; cutting grass; and other minor repairs or tasks related to maintenance of facility.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Must be capable of maintaining consistent and dependable attendance, and completion of assigned duties in a timely manner. Inspect assigned premises daily using judgement to determine nature of assigned maintenance tasks to perform, including trash removal in interior or exterior area of assigned facility. Clean and sanitize rest, break or other rooms using established practices and procedures. Clean, dust, and wipe furniture; sweep, mop, or vacuum floors; empty/clean wastebaskets and trash containers. Replace light bulbs; refill rest and break rooms and other area dispensers as required. Assist with the setting up of facilities for meetings, classrooms, conferences, events, etc. Must know how to use and maintain assigned power equipment and hand tools, these include floor buffers; auto scrubbers; extractors; high pressure washers; high speed buffers and vacuums; brooms; mops; and other required materials for the cleaning and general maintenance of floors, walls, carpets, furniture, etc. Must have capability to paint and operate lawn equipment. Maintain assigned facility grounds, walk-ways, and hallways free of clutter and trash. Check for unlocked doors and windows, report any unauthorized occupants, turn off lights in unused rooms. Read and follow product use instructions regarding the safe use of chemicals and other facility maintenance products. Respond to work orders assigned. Must have a valid driving license (and insurability) to operate facility vehicles to and from assigned locations. Must be computer literate in order to respond to assigned work orders; and other UPO communicative programming such as emails, intranet, Teams, and/or ADP.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Maintain cleanliness of facility on a daily basis to include detailed cleaning of rest and break rooms, common areas and offices.
- Maintain appropriate safety protocols including use of chemicals and other facility maintenance products, and safety signage.
- Operate appropriate cleaning equipment, including floor buffer to wax and buff floors.
- Daily collect, sort, and dispose of trash and recyclables properly.
- Maintain consistent attendance and flexibility and adaptability to work schedules.
- Utilize ability to work within a team framework.
Utilize flexible and appropriate customer service skills with UPO staff and customers
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have a high school diploma or GED and six months of custodian or other related experience. Must have a valid driver’s license (and condition to be insured) to operate UPO facility maintenance vehicles and have reliable transportation to/from assigned work location(s). Available to work standard hours from 11:45 am to 8:00 pm. Must have flexibility to adjust standard hours from time to time. Have availability for some evening hours (beyond standard hours) and/or weekend work. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Outlook) and to use (or learn to use) UPO intranet programming and electronic time-keeping program (ADP). Must have interpersonal skills, and attention to details. Must be able to work sensitively and effectively with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Two years of custodian experience. Computer literate. Comfortable and experienced in performing a significant number of various building maintenance tasks. Working knowledge of standard building systems and protocol. Comfortable with working and communicating with individuals of diverse educational, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
In the event that an offer is extended, the selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal background check and/or FBI fingerprinting, as well as pre-employment drug screening, as applicable for the position.
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full Time / Regular (37.5 Hour Workweek)
ESSENTIAL POSITION: YES o NO
Competitive Benefits:
- Health/Kaiser, 70/30 split
- Dental/MetLife, all employees paid
- Vision/VSP, all employees paid
- 401k, Safe Harbor Match-5.5% given as a benefit, will match 1% of staff contribution
- Sick Leave 4.5 Hours Every Pay Period
- Vacation Leave 4.5 Hours Every Pay Period
- 2 Personal Days
- Paid Holidays
This position IS in the collective bargaining unit of the CWA Union.
UNION STATUS: Union
This is a Safety Sensitive position subject to random drug and alcohol testing
To be considered for this position:
Submit your cover letter and resume to the Career Center Online.
UPO is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary : $18 - $19