Lead Custodian

Position Title: Lead Custodian
Location: CICS Irving Park, 3820 N. Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Reports To: Campus Director of Operations | Principal
Type: Regular Full Time
Salary: Starting at 50,000, commensurate with experience
Start Date: February 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem‑solvers, and collaborative leaders.

The Lead Custodian is responsible for properly maintaining the grounds and facilities of the school site in a safe and efficient manner. By providing proper maintenance to ensure the exterior and interior environment is safe, secure, and aesthetically attractive. The Lead Custodian also performs cleaning duties to provide students, employees and the community with a safe, attractive, comfortable, clean, and efficient place in which to learn, play and develop.

• Meet with Campus Operations regarding any larger facility project needs or concerns
• Manage ticket system for building/operation requests
• Manage supply organization and procurement
• Act as liaison between vendor, campus and network staff
• Organize and coordinator working crews if applicable
• Apply established safety standards
• Assign tasks/work assignments to custodian and maintenance staff

• Keep building and premises clean, safe and neat at all times
• Clean, dust mop, scrub and wax resilient floors with use of appropriate equipment as needed to protect floor finish
• Dry mop floors in rooms and hallways
• Clean cafeteria floors of any spills and/or debris, and properly disposes of refuse
• Routinely break-down cafeteria tables/benches for cleaning in between table/bench tops, sides, legs and underside of each
• Clean and vacuum carpeted surfaces
• Spot clean and scrub walls
• Empty wastebaskets and properly disposes of refuse
• Clean, scrub and disinfect bath and shower room areas, including walls, sinks, bowls and glass mirrors. Stock toilet paper and towel dispensers
• Change light bulbs
• Clean whiteboards, blackboards, and erasers
• Clean and disinfect water fountains
• Clean and disinfect chairs and desktops in classrooms and office
• Move furniture, equipment, boxes and other items within buildings as required for various activities and as directed by supervisor
• Maintain properly organized and stocked storage closets
• Inform supervisors when supplies are needed
• Inform supervisors of damage to facilities and/or equipment
• Salt entryways, stairs and sidewalks as needed
• Maintain tools and cleaning equipment

High School Diploma

• Must possess physical ability to perform all required work
• Maintain a professional relationship with supervisors, staff, parents, students and the public
• Work independently and in teams to complete job duties and assignments in a timely manner with limited supervision
• Technology demands:
• Ability to learn digital tools for managing maintenance requests (i.e. use of a ticket system)

Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 30% walking, and 70% standing.

• 25+ Paid holidays & 15 days PTO annually
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

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