Casual Custodian

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) is the largest Centre for Education in Atlantic Canada with over 10,000 full-time, part-time and casual employees. Serving more than 60,000 students in 136 schools, our geographic region spans a 350 km radius.

The Halifax Regional Centre of Education is accepting applications for the casual custodian list.

The Custodian contributes to the effective operation of the Operations Services Department within the Halifax Regional Centre for Education and implements the principles of good energy management stewardship. The custodian maintains a clean, sanitary and attractive appearance of school buildings and facilities. This is accomplished by performing cleaning and maintenance duties in a professional, efficient, proactive and safe manner within the policies and procedures of the Department and the Centre.

The Custodian position falls under the NSUPE collective agreement. The collective agreement can be accessed by clicking .

New applicants must follow the steps below to be considered for casual custodial work:

• Apply online to this casual custodian job posting. You will be required to create an online resume.
• The number of available hours and working locations varies greatly from week to week. It is important to note that casual custodian assignments are most frequently used to provide day to day replacement service to schools throughout the district.
• Most assignments are for some or all of the 4:00 pm to Midnight evening shifts and frequently last at that location for only short periods of time, 1 to 3 days. Reliable transportation is required in order to respond to daily/weekly calls.
• Applicants are asked to clearly indicate the geographical areas of the HRCE in which they are able to work.
• A Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Search (issued within the last 6 months) are mandatory upon hire.
• The Hourly Rate for this position is $22.65.

Competencies Required:

• The ability to work and communicate effectively within a team environment;
• The ability to support and communicate effectively within the site, Operations Services Department, other Departments of the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, and third parties including students, school staff, parents and outside entities;
• Organization and writing skills of the nature required to effectively communicate with the Centre and external service providers;
• The understanding of (and ability to carry out) approved policies and procedures developed by the Operations Department and the Centre;
• The desire and ability to engage in continuing education and skills upgrading;
• To understand and promote confidentiality as the norm;
• The ability to apply knowledge, experience and commitment in the areas of race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights;
• The ability to perform minor maintenance tasks;
• The knowledge of and ability to perform practices and procedures required to maintain a building.
• The ability to react effectively to emergencies or other changes in work environment that require immediate re-prioritizing of tasks.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety procedures which include fire and safety plans, and Department of Labour procedures.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma, General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent training and experience;
• Physical and mental ability to perform a full range of cleaning and janitorial duties;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with students, staff, and visitors;
• Capable of working as member of a team or individually with minimal supervision as needed;
• Able to work all shifts;
• Previous janitorial experience an asset.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform a broad range of cleaning and minor maintenance services for the Operations Services Department;
• Cleans, dusts, vacuums, and washes ceilings, floors, walls, furniture, bathrooms, rooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, corridors, windows, doors, stairways, gym seats, and any other associated equipment and fixtures;
• Sweeps, mops, vacuums, strips, all floor surfaces;
• Collects mixed waste, recyclables, and organics as well as other separated wastes from classroom, offices, washrooms, dietary areas, playground, meeting rooms, windows, doors, stairwells, school ground litter etc. and transports to proper exterior container location;
• Replenishes disposable supplies such as toilet tissue, soap, paper towels, waste bags, etc.;
• Uses equipment and supplies properly in accordance with all safety regulations and procedures. Cleans, maintains, and stores equipment after use;
• Reports problems to supervisor and principal if required. Reports to immediate supervisor when available for other duties during shift;
• Assists in or assumes work duties and tasks that may normally be designated to other staff members or shifts such as moving furniture, replacing lights, security monitoring, painting touch up, graffiti removal, ceiling tile replacement, light bulbs/shades replacement, etc. when required;
• Maintains current knowledge of all school, department and HRCE policies and procedures including occupational health, safety, personnel, attendance, work routines WHMIS, collective agreement, fire and disaster plans;
• Ensure proper alarm procedures are followed when entering or leaving facility;
• Perform snow and ice control duties as appropriate; Performs risk assessment of all projects and maintains risk management protocols at all times;
• Protects the confidentiality of student and Centre information;
• Performs any other operational duties as required.

Work Environment (Equipment, Demands, and Hazards):

• Use tools required in performance of duties such as mops, brooms, plungers, burnishers, carts, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.;
• Work with varying cleaning liquids, powders, sprays, soaps, gloves, etc.;
• Potential to be exposed to chemicals, unclean substances and soiled conditions;
• Job requires predominately walking and standing. Normal work time spent indoors with occasional outdoor periods.
• A neat and tidy personal appearance must be maintained, HRCE identification must be worn and visible at all times during work shift;
• Occasional periods of high levels of physical exertion are needed. This includes heavy lifting (50+ lb.), walking, bending, pushing large loads, carrying, stooping, reaching, standing on ladders, shovelling, etc.;
• May work in small spaces and in areas with mechanical equipment such as boilers and ventilation units;
• Require use of personal protective equipment appropriate for specific tasks.
• As per the collective agreement, work evenings, days and weekends as required. Subject to call- backs and overtime.

Nova Scotia’s Regional Centres for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) are committed to an inclusive education system that supports the well-being and achievement of every student and is high-quality, culturally and linguistically responsive.

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) is actively working to hire individuals from under-represented groups, particularly people of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian and African ancestry and Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ancestry, to work toward equitable representation within all employee groups. Equitable hiring strengthens the knowledge and expertise in our schools, and supports our public education system in establishing schools as safe, caring, and accessible learning spaces that support all students. This will provide opportunities for students to see themselves reflected throughout their schools, learning resources, and within their learning experiences.

HRCE has a Recruitment, Selection and Hiring of Staff Policy and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly people of African Nova Scotian, African Canadian and African ancestry and Mi’kmaw/Indigenous ancestry, in compliance with the applicable collective agreements or terms and conditions of employment. Applicants are encouraged to complete the Diversity Management Questions in the online resume.

Thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants invited to participate in the hiring process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their request for accommodation when invited to the assessment process.

Employment with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education is contingent upon providing a satisfactory Criminal Records Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Search.