Custodian (Open and Promotional)

Full Job Description

The County of San Mateo is seeking applicants for the position of Custodian. Custodians are responsible for housekeeping duties including cleaning, maintaining, and securing areas in and around County buildings and healthcare facilities. There is currently one regular vacancy at San Mateo Medical Center.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on work experience performing the job duties listed below in a government, hospital, correctional, or similar facility. Experience in stripping and waxing floors is highly preferred.

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies throughout various County of San Mateo departments.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POSITION
Custodians/Housekeepers are required to work various shifts (days, evenings, holidays, weekends) at various locations throughout the San Mateo County (County Facilities/ Buildings, San Mateo Medical Center, Maple Street Correctional Center, Hall of Justice, Maguire Correctional Facility, Youth Services Center, etc.).

Candidates selected for Custodian positions with the Department of Public Works will be required to complete an extensive security clearance package and undergo a thorough background check conducted by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office prior to hiring. The selected candidates must be cleared to work in and around locked facilities that house incarcerated persons.

Requirements

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sweeping, scrubbing, stripping, waxing, buffing, polishing, and vacuuming floors.
• Sweeping, shampooing, and vacuuming carpeted areas.
• Dusting and polishing furniture, woodwork, screens, fixtures, and equipment.
• Picking up papers and other refuse on grounds.
• Sweeping walkways, entrances, and stairwells.
• Washing, scrubbing, and disinfecting restrooms.
• Washing walls.
• Cleaning partition glass and drinking fountains.
• Cleaning and polishing metalwork.
• Emptying and cleaning waste containers.
• Lifting and moving equipment, supplies, or waste materials.
• Replenishing supplies in restrooms and other locations.
• Maintaining custodial equipment and supplies.
• Reporting safety, sanitary, and fire hazards.
• Moving furniture, supplies, and equipment.
• Assisting in moving or rearranging chairs, tables, desks, furniture, and other equipment.
• Checking building security by setting alarms, closing windows, locking doors, and turning out lights.
• Making minor repairs or adjustments in equipment.
• Raising and lowering flags.
• Assisting with miscellaneous minor repair work.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Two years of experience performing custodial/janitorial duties.

Licensure/Certification:
Some positions may require possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.

Knowledge of:

• Proper use of cleaning materials, chemicals, and disinfectants.
• Modern tools, equipment, and techniques used in cleaning large multi-purpose facilities.
• Proper methods for clean-up and disposal of hazardous waste.

Skill/Ability to:

• Follow oral and written instructions and relay information accurately.
• Read and understand labels and work orders, complete forms.
• Operate a variety of mechanized cleaning equipment including buffers, auto-scrubbers, and extractors.
• Lift and carry tools, equipment, or materials and supplies; bend, stoop and reach overhead; stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Make minor repairs and do minor maintenance work.
• Maintain safe working practices.
• Work courteously and effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Adjust to an immediate change in priorities.

Additional Information

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: Pass/Fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: Monday, February 2, 2026, by 11:59PM PST
Application Screening: Week of February 2, 2026
Civil Service Panel Interviews: February 17, 18 and/or 19, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.


Analyst: Debbie Kong (11152026) (Custodian - T075)