Riis Settlement is hiring: Lead Custodian in New York

Job Location: 1025 41ST AVE - LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 11101

Job Shift: Day

Description

Job Title: Lead Custodian

Department: Facilities

The Lead Custodian is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment throughout the community center. This includes daily custodial tasks, basic facility upkeep, event setup and breakdown, and support for weekend facility rentals. The Lead Custodian operates and maintains cleaning equipment, assists with minor maintenance, and ensures spaces are ready for staff and visitors. This position reports directly to the Facilities Manager.

Schedule: Monday-Friday from 7:30 am-3:30 pm

Responsibilities

As a key member of our facilities team, the Lead Custodian helps ensure our community center is clean, safe, and welcoming for all staff, visitors, and program participants. Responsibilities include:

• Perform daily custodial duties, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and sanitizing floors, restrooms, break rooms, and shared spaces.
• Clean and restock bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas to maintain hygiene standards.
• Empty trash and recycling bins, replace liners, and clean receptacles as needed.
• Set up and break down rooms for meetings, events, classes, and community programs.
• Provide custodial support at other agency sites as needed for emergencies or special facility-related needs, in coordination with the Facilities Manager.
• Operate and maintain custodial equipment such as floor buffers, scrubbers, vacuums, and power washers.
• Deep clean and maintain floors, windows, blinds, furniture, and other surfaces as scheduled.
• Support basic building maintenance, including snow and debris removal from walkways, minor groundskeeping, and coordination with service vendors (e.g., pest control, HVAC, sanitation).
• Open the building each day, ensuring the facility is ready for use and all necessary systems are operational.
• Understand basic systems such as fire alarms, gym A/C, and electric panel locations; report any concerns promptly.
• Respond to facility emergencies and maintenance requests as needed.
• Attend required safety trainings and team meetings; complete ongoing development in custodial procedures, First Aid/CPR, and facility safety.
• Support weekend facility rentals and special events as scheduled.
• Perform other custodial or maintenance duties as assigned to support the smooth operation of the center.

Qualifications

• Proficient in custodial practices, including proper use of cleaning equipment, materials, and safety procedures.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards across all facility areas.
• Basic knowledge of building systems (e.g., fire alarms, HVAC, electrical panels) and light maintenance.
• Effective time management and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Physically able to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for long periods, and perform routine manual labor.
• Reliable and flexible, with availability to support early openings, evening/weekend facility rentals, and emergency situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requires routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying items weighing less than fifty pounds. Moving items over fifty pounds utilizes a team lift.

• Generous Paid Time Off package of 13 holidays, 12 sick days, 10 days of vacation, and 6 personal days.
• Retirement plan with a 50% employer match up to 6% of total salary.
• Student Loan Assistance and Education Assistance
• Health, Dental, Vision, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• EAP Services

Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

Attach Resume (.pdf)

Are you 18 years of age or older? Yes No

Are you authorized to work in the United States? Yes No

If extended a job offer, are you willing to submit to a detailed background check? Yes No

The mission of Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement is to build and strengthen underserved communities in western Queens and to act as a catalyst for change.

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