Custodian

Hourly Compensation: $17.00/hour - $18.88/hour

Position Summary

The Part-Time Custodian is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy physical environment that supports children's learning and well-being. Reporting to the Program Director, with support from Children's Aid's Central Facilities, this role helps ensure the Early Childhood program meets or exceeds Head Start Program Performance Standards, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Article 47 regulations, and other applicable health, safety, and regulatory requirements while maintaining accurate facility records and supporting overall site operations.

Children's Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children's Aid annually serves children and their families at over forty sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children's Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children's health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth, and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth, and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Facilities Operations & General Maintenance

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values while adhering to Children's Aid policies and procedures.
• Support the overall operation of the Early Childhood program by maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for children, families, staff, and visitors.
• Clean classrooms, offices, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, common areas, and other assigned spaces.
• Assemble furniture and equipment as needed.
• Perform general facility repairs within the scope of the position and communicate maintenance needs requiring additional support.
• Complete floor maintenance, including stripping, waxing, and refinishing floors as needed.
• Perform paint touch-ups and full painting projects, as appropriate for the assigned site.
• Conduct routine facility inspections and promptly report maintenance, safety, or operational concerns.
• Communicate supply, equipment, and repair needs in a timely manner to support uninterrupted program operations.

Daily Cleaning

• Sweep and mop hard floors using disinfectants approved for childcare settings.
• Vacuum carpets and rugs to remove dust, dirt, and debris.
• Empty, clean, and sanitize trash receptacles and replace liners.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces including doorknobs, light switches, glass doors, tables, and other shared surfaces.
• Clean and sanitize restroom facilities, including toilets, sinks, faucets, and changing tables.
• Replenish soap dispensers, paper towels, hand sanitizer stations, and other custodial supplies.
• Respond promptly to spills and sanitation concerns throughout the day.
• Inspect entrances and outdoor play areas for cleanliness and safety hazards and remove litter or debris as needed.

Weekly Cleaning

• Dust and wipe windowsills, baseboards, shelving, cabinets, and other surfaces.
• Deep clean and sanitize classroom rugs and carpets.
• Clean and disinfect additional high-touch surfaces in offices, hallways, and common areas.

Monthly & Quarterly Cleaning

• Clean and sanitize HVAC vents and filters to support indoor air quality.
• Inspect and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Clean and disinfect storage rooms, closets, cubbies, and similar spaces.
• Inspect, clean, and sanitize playground equipment, including swings, slides, and climbing structures.
• Conduct comprehensive facility inspections to identify maintenance or repair needs.

Seasonal Cleaning

• Clean and sanitize outdoor play equipment, picnic tables, and benches before each season.
• Wash windows and glass doors.
• Inspect and clean gutters and drainage systems to help prevent water accumulation.
• Prepare facilities for seasonal transitions by organizing or rotating seasonal materials and supplies.
• Remove snow from sidewalks adjacent to the property as needed.

Emergency Response

• Respond promptly to spills, accidents, and other situations requiring immediate cleaning to support a safe environment.
• Follow established procedures for cleaning bodily fluids and hazardous materials using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and approved cleaning products.
• Communicate safety concerns, hazards, or incidents promptly to program leadership.

Health, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, DOHMH Article 47 regulations, Children's Aid policies, and other applicable health and safety requirements.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment by properly storing cleaning chemicals and equipment, securing hazardous materials from children, and clearly identifying wet floors and other hazards.
• Maintain and monitor compliance items including emergency lighting, exit signs, fire extinguishers, fire alarm systems, Ansul systems, and other life safety equipment.
• Participate as a member of the site's Emergency Response Team.
• Maintain required safety checklists, inspection logs, inventory records, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS).
• Monitor custodial supply inventory and replenish materials as needed.
• Review Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection findings and support corrective actions to maintain compliance.

Data Management & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate documentation related to facility inspections, cleaning schedules, inventory, and maintenance requests.
• Track cleaning routines, supply usage, and maintenance activities to support operational efficiency.
• Generate reports and documentation as required to support compliance, facility operations, and continuous improvement efforts.

Professional Development

• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, workshops, In-Service Days, and All-Staff conferences.
• Maintain required certifications and documentation of professional development activities.
• Support program-wide planning, goal setting, self-assessment, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.

Community Engagement & Program Support

• Support Early Childhood recruitment efforts by participating in community outreach activities, including tabling events, school-based recruitment activities, and program enrollment events, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Director and/or Children's Aid.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) required.
• Must meet all applicable Federal Head Start and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Article 47 requirements.
• Valid FDNY S95 (Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems) Certificate required.
• Valid FDNY F07 (Fire Drill Conductor) Certificate required.
  
  
  
  • New hires must obtain both certifications within three (3) months of hire.
  
  
  
  
• Ability to perform routine custodial duties, operate cleaning equipment safely, and complete minor facility maintenance tasks.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, complete required inspection logs, communicate maintenance concerns effectively, and support regulatory compliance.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and maintain a professional, dependable, and resourceful approach in a fast-paced early childhood environment.
• Experience working in an early childhood or educational setting preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.

Team Player - Works well as a member of a group

Work-Life Balance - Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work

High School (required)

1 - 2 years: Ability to work with commercial-grade cleaning products. Ability to use cleaning equipment, shampooers, buffing machine, snowblowers, leaf blowers, wet-vac. (required)
1 - 2 years: Experience working in an Early Childhood setting (preferred)

S95 SFAS (required)
F07 CFFDC (required)

Skills