How she shines: Maria's leadership style centers on hands-on support, clear instruction, and accountability. She leads by example—pitching in to buff floors or empty heavy trash bins during staff shortages, showing they will not ask the team to do what they won't do themselves. She is also an exemplary mentor and teacher. She patiently trains new hires on proper chemical safety or floor machine operation rather than criticizing errors.
Years in the industry: 17 years
Job responsibilities: As Custodial Director, Maria does the following:
1. Schedules, coordinates, inspects, and participates in the day-to-day supervision, workflow, operations, and activities of assigned custodial staff; oversees and directs work of assigned staff to perform general cleaning and care of school sites and other assigned facilities; maintains buildings, office space, and adjacent grounds areas in a clean, orderly, and secure condition; ensures compliance with applicable health and safety standards.
2. Supervises and participates in routine cleaning, sweeping, pickups, and routine maintenance at assigned sites and locations; performs special custodial projects, as assigned.
3. Ensures security of facilities during assigned hours; performs routine security checks to ensure gates, doors, and windows are locked and secure; monitors facilities for vandalism, safety, and fire hazards; reports to appropriate personnel; escorts students and staff, when needed; raises and lowers flags; receives and responds to emergency calls after hours as assigned.
4. Operates and maintains a variety of custodial equipment, including but not limited to: floor stripper, buffer, vacuum cleaner, and small power and hand tools; performs minor and routine equipment maintenance, such as belt and bag replacement on vacuum cleaners, as needed.
5. Utilizes a computer to review work order requests, updates requests' status; operates a two-way radio as assigned, related to the duties and responsibilities assigned.
6. Supervises the moving and arranging of furniture and equipment; sets up facilities for special events and meetings, as needed.
7. Trains, supervises, and evaluates assigned staff; completes and provides performance evaluations to assigned staff; partners with management and Human Resources (HR) related to performance issues and concerns; reviews and refers to the employee collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to ensure compliance to related contract articles; recommends performance improvement plans, performance documentation, reassignment, and disciplinary action up to and including termination.
8. Communicates with District and college administration, management, staff, and external organizations, and/or agencies to exchange information and coordinate custodial services and activities; reviews and resolves issues and conflicts.
9. Oversees, schedules, and participates in thorough cleaning and restoration of school, plant, or other assigned facilities; assists the custodial carpet crew lead with scheduling cleaning services for assigned sites.
10. Receives, coordinates, and/or responds to emergency calls after hours as assigned; works closely with assigned custodial staff in the response to emergency calls, when needed.
11. Extracts data and information to prepare, generate, update, and maintain a variety of reports, records, and files related to assigned staff and activities.
12. Utilizes a computer, assigned software programs and applications, computer hardware, and peripheral equipment to perform essential responsibilities related to the area of assignment;
13. Attends and participates in a variety of District, college, and/or department meetings, committees, trainings, workshops, and/or special events, as requested.
14. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.
Career path: Maria began her career here at the college 18 years ago as a custodian and worked her way up to supervisor.
Best advice received: Lead by example. Be proactive with safety and communicate clearly.
Fun fact: Maria loves to garden.