Custodian B, HKS

Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) offers building & landscape maintenance and custodial services to Harvard faculty and departments on a fee-for-service basis. All services are provided in strict accordance with customer-determined standards. As such, FMO operates as an in-house alternative to contractor services and therefore must manage itself under the same principles that guide any successful maintenance service business.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

As described in the customer service level agreement, responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Performs routine and specialized cleaning of academic and non-academic spaces, including but not limited to offices, dormitories, laboratories, libraries, athletic facilities, classroom and assembly spaces, restrooms, common areas, and entryways, as assigned. Maintains all assigned areas in a clean, orderly, and sanitary manner.

• Sanitizes bathroom surfaces, fixtures, and food handling/preparation areas.

• Restocks the restroom and kitchen area consumable supplies daily.

• Broom sweeps, dry/damp/wet mops hard surface floors and stairs as assigned.

• Dusts and/or washes furniture, walls, and horizontal surfaces.

• Vacuums carpeted floor surfaces using light and/or heavy-duty vacuums.

• Empties and cleans trash and recycling receptacles and moves trash and recyclables to designated pick-up points.

• Strips, waxes, and burnishes floors using power floor machines.

• Operates heavy-duty wet pick-up machines to remove liquids from floor surfaces.

• Washes interior windows and first-floor exterior windows.

• May be assigned to perform residential housekeeping during Reunion/Commencement events.

• Performs related duties as required.

• May be required to move furniture or other heavy objects for extended periods.

• Performs snow removal assignments, including shoveling, sweeping, and applying ice melt or sand.

• May be required to operate equipment, including heavy floor machines.

• May be required to use ladders regularly.

• May be required to work occasional overtime in support of business needs.

• Required to wear a clean, neat uniform and always maintain a professional image.

• Must always display and wear an ID badge.

• Wear safety equipment and clothing when appropriate and/or required.

Working Conditions:

• Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel (required to provide on-site support during emergency situations as determined by management).

Physical Requirements:

*  For employees hired after January 2026,

• must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lb. routinely, on a daily basis. May be required to lift and carry five-gallon pails of cleaning liquids at various times (weighing up to 50 lbs.) 

 **  For employees hired before January 2026

• The ability to lift requirement described above is 40 lbs. 

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks as listed in the Duties and Responsibilities.

• Such tasks require repetitive stooping, bending, reaching, and carrying, especially to vacuum, sweep, and mop stairwells, perform high and low dusting or cleaning, etc.

• Must be able to tolerate dust and other airborne particles as well as approved cleaning chemicals.

• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lb. routinely, on a daily basis.

• May be required to lift and carry five-gallon pails of cleaning liquids at various times (weighing up to 50 lbs.)