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Position Title:Custodian I - Department of Residence

Job Group:Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:• Ability to read, write, and follow instructions.

Preferred Qualifications:Prior custodial, janitorial, or commercial cleaning experience

Experience operating commercial cleaning equipment

Job Description:

Are you ready to embark on a custodial role that’s steady, meaningful, and rooted in community?

Iowa State University is seeking a dependable and motivated applicants to join the Department of Residence as a Custodian I. You’ll have the opportunity to become a valued member of our campus community; supporting the spaces where students live, study, and connect.

As one of the largest non-academic departments on campus, the Department of Residence employs more than 400 staff members who work together to create a supportive learning and social environment for students. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of maintaining campus buildings and common areas, helping ensure spaces are clean, welcoming, and ready for daily use. Each day brings a mix of routine and variety, offering hands-on work that makes a visible difference.

If you’re looking for reliable work, strong benefits, and a team-oriented environment, we encourage you to apply.

What You’ll Do

+ Perform general cleaning throughout residence hall buildings, including common areas, restrooms, offices, and other assigned spaces

+ Maintain floors using a variety of methods such as vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, stripping, and waxing

+ Clean and disinfect bathrooms, fixtures, furniture, and high-touch surfaces

+ Restock supplies such as soap, paper towels, and toilet paper in assigned areas

+ Collect and remove trash and recycling throughout the building

+ Move furniture and equipment as needed to support cleaning and daily operations

+ Assist with basic upkeep such as changing light bulbs and reporting maintenance concerns

+ Support conferences and events by handling linens, room setup, and cleanup as needed

+ Perform limited exterior duties such as clearing entrances, sidewalks, and nearby areas

What You’ll Get

+ Insurance benefits beginning on your first day, with timely enrollment.

+ Retirement benefits with strong university contributions.

+ Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

+ Tuition reimbursement available after one year of employment.

+ A collaborative, service-oriented workplace dedicated to supporting students.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

+ Performs cleaning in all areas of a building.

+ Performs cleaning of all floor areas such as vacuuming, shampooing, sweeping, mopping, stripping, scrubbing, waxing, and buffing.

+ Cleans and polishes all bathroom fixtures.

+ Cleans and washes all glass surfaces, ceilings and walls.

+ The use of a ladder up to 12 feet in height may be required.

+ Replaces light bulbs and cleans light fixtures, using a ladder as required.

+ Makes beds and handles both clean and soiled linens for occasional conferences.

+ Refills holder of disposable items, such as soap, bathroom tissue, paper towels, etc.

+ Cleans and disinfects beds, bedside tables, overbed tables, etc., and other equipment and areas.

+ Reports breakage and needed repairs.

+ Moves furniture, supplies and miscellaneous equipment; removes rugs periodically for cleaning; delivers supplies to various areas.

+ Collects trash from receptacles throughout the building and empties it into various areas.

+ Performs duties in the immediate exterior of building such as sweeping sidewalks, snow and ice removal at entrances, cleaning debris from grounds and window wells, and occasional cleaning exterior windows.

+ Picks up and returns equipment for repair by maintenance.

+ Delivers housekeeping supplies to designated areas.

+ Operates high pressure, water-cleaning apparatus to clean and disinfect rug runners, and showers.

+ Occasionally maintains inventory of linen and record of lined laundering and maintains inventory of custodial supplies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

+ Knowledge of standard cleaning techniques and characteristics of surfaces to be cleaned, and equipment and supplies required.

+ Ability to move furniture and objects in preparation for cleaning; to load and unload trash receptacles; to operate safely and properly care for power machinery; to use arm muscles in hand cleaning, mopping, and scrubbing for protracted periods of time; to work on ladders.

+ Knowledge of proper bending and lifting techniques and ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.

+ Ability to work in a variety of environments including crowded public areas and high and low temperature areas.

+ Knowledge of the safe use if chemical cleaning agents and possible hazards relating to environmental sanitation.

+ Ability to communicate effectively with others.

+ Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

•Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:0003a

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application.

Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:

+ Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

+ Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans

+ Life insurance and long-term disability

+ Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Various voluntary benefits and discounts

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: January 7, 2026

Posting Close Date:February 8, 2026

Job Requisition Number:R18428

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.