Part Time Custodian/Sexton

Posted May 9, 2025

Washington National Cathedral seeks a reliable and detail-oriented Part-Time Custodian to support the Cathedral’s Sextons team in maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming environments across the Cathedral and associated buildings. This position is responsible for daily custodial tasks, event setup and teardown, and serves as a backup to the Cathedral Launderer. Working under direct supervision, the Custodian ensures that all assigned areas are clean, orderly, and properly maintained to support the Cathedral’s worship, events, and operations.

The role includes seasonal flexibility, with weekly hours ranging from 10 to 40 depending on Cathedral programming and operational needs. This position requires a commitment to excellence, teamwork, and a strong work ethic in service of the Cathedral’s mission and public presence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Cleaning:
Maintain specified areas and/or furnishings through routine cleaning and maintenance.

  • Clean assigned areas by washing, dusting, and/or polishing, windows, tiles, fixtures, equipment, floors, and furnishings.
  • Change light bulbs.
  • Vacuum, shampoo carpets, dust and mop floors, strip and wax floors.
  • Sanitize and disinfect bathroom areas; restock paper and soap supplies.
  • Empty trash receptacles and bag trash for proper disposal.
  • Ensure proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies
  • Promote continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
  • Inspect physical condition of assigned area; submit requests to supervisor regarding repairs and replacements.
  • Request cleaning materials and supplies; stock, load and transport cleaning cart with required materials and supplies.
  • Operate equipment in a safe manner. Report any malfunction or damage to equipment to the supervisor.
  • Assist with removal of ice and snow from entrances, steps, and sidewalks.
  • Act as backup for the care and cleaning of the following items including:
    • Eucharistic linens, such as napkins, corporals, purificators
    • Clergy vestments, such as cassocks, albs, surplices, gowns
    • Choir vestments, such as cassocks, surplices, cuffs, collars
    • Dining linens, such as tablecloths, skirts, napkins
    • Mending rips and tears, replacing missing buttons
  • Clean and maintain laundry areas including music and choir offices, laundry facilities, laundry office and restroom: dust, sweep, vacuum, remove trash; clean toilets, sinks, mirrors, walls, and partitions.

Event Set Up:
Assist in the set-up preparation for seminars, lectures, conferences, worship, musical programs and other events.

  • Assist with the placement and removal of chairs, tables, lecterns, altars, and other furnishings for events as directed.
  • Assist with set up and take down of tents, booths, and equipment as directed for events.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • High School diploma or equivalency preferred.
  • 2+ years custodial/housekeeping experience.
Qualities
  • Arrive to work on time. Keep absences within department guidelines and schedule time off in advance.
  • Pursue training and development activities and strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.
  • Follow policies and procedures and complete tasks correctly and on time.
  • Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness, display commitment to excellence, look for ways to improve and promote quality and apply feedback to improve performance.
  • Work efficiently while achieving established goals.
  • Observe safety and security procedures, use equipment and materials properly and report potentially unsafe conditions.
  • Competent in required job skills and knowledge, including safety procedures, exhibit ability to learn and apply new skills, require minimal supervision and display understanding of how a job relates to others.
  • Exhibit good listening and comprehension skills. Keep others adequately informed.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and supervisor(s), exhibit tact and consideration, display positive outlook and pleasant manner, offer assistance and support to co-workers, work cooperatively in group situations, and work actively to resolve conflict.
  • Take responsibility for one’s own actions, follow instructions, commit to doing the best job possible and respond to requests for service and assistance (from supervisors and co-workers).
  • Take initiative, volunteer readily, seek increased responsibilities and ask for help when needed.
  • Dress appropriately for position and keep self well-groomed.
Abilities
  • Ability to work as part of a team by balancing team and individual responsibilities, exhibiting objectivity and openness to others’ views, giving and welcoming feedback, contributing to building a positive team spirit, and putting the success of the team above one’s own interests.
  • Ability to work well within a diverse & multicultural workforce.
Knowledge and Skills
  • Understand and follow safety procedures.
  • Understand and follow directions.
  • Lift and manipulate heavy objects.
  • Operate vacuums, buffers, and other related equipment.
  • Understand written and verbal communications.
  • Use hand and power tools applicable to trade.
  • Work as part of a team within a customer service-driven department.
Working Conditions
  • Physical work is the primary responsibility of the job.
  • The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, and stooping in the performance of daily activities.
  • The position requires a flexible schedule, routinely working outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends and occasional holidays. This is an essential personnel position which will require flexibility as events, weather, and emergency conditions dictate.
  • This position requires periodical overtime, averaging 1-2 times per month. The scheduling is done far in advance and with adherence to availability. Shift swapping, changing schedules, and flexible scheduling is a priority of the supervisory team.
  • Ability to lift up to sixty pounds; walking and standing for extended periods. The need to lift, drag, push and pull files, reports and other materials weighing up to 25 pounds is also required.
  • Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements such as temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors and/or noise.
  • Work involves exposure to chemicals, hazards and/or physical risks that require following safety precautions.
  • The position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard.
  • The position requires near and far vision for reading and preparing written reports and other required documents.
  • Acute hearing is required when providing phone assistance.

Washington National Cathedral is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create a more diverse and inclusive atmosphere for all. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.

Washington National Cathedral seeks individuals who are committed to our mission. We appreciate interest from those who will contribute to an atmosphere in which diversity is valued and supported.

Hourly rate starts at $22 per hour.

Apply Now

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].