Custodian

Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources. 

 
Job candidates should be aware that scammers may pose as employers and create fake job postings in order to extract personal information from individuals for financial gain.  Housing Works will never ask job candidates for personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account details, over the phone.  If you suspect that a job posting may be fake or wish to confirm that a job posting from Housing Works is genuine, please contact us at recruitment@housingworks.org 

Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org 

 
Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services. 

 
Benefits: 
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books. 

 
Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

 
This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU 

Compensation: $17/hr
 

Overview: 

Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crisis of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts. The custodian is responsible to maintain the facilities cleanliness, to ensure the facility is clean, safe & hazard free. The external and internal appearance of a building reflects on the occupants. It is important for a custodian, to be careful and thorough in working, cleaning and tidying the premises, as well as preventing vandalism.

Responsibilities: 

• Adhere to the scheduled custodial and preventive maintenance plan to ensure that all common, kitchen and office areas, as well as residential spaces are maintained in a clean, sanitary and orderly manner.
• Ensure restrooms are sanitary and attractive throughout the day and have adequate supplies as needed.
• All trash bins, shredders and recycling bins are emptied throughout the day and containers are sanitized weekly.
• Rugs and floors properly cleaned daily and monthly buffing & polishing and carpet cleaning is scheduled.
• Dust and vacuum all offices and common spaces; as well as general maintenance needed; light bulbs, moving & arranging of office furniture and polishing of applicable metal work as needed.
• Ensure all debris, water, snow and garbage from hallways, sidewalks and entrances & exits are cleared for staff & client safety and compliance with facility leases.
• Assume responsibility for care and maintenance of tools, equipment and cleaning supplies.
• Serves as the major liaison with the site supervisors and Facility Manager to ensure communication of housekeeping needs are being met.
• Advise the Facility Manager about personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility and equipment need to meet or exceed operational plans.
• Help coordinate activities with all other departments, and vendors to obtain optimum production and utilization of all resources.
• Help monitor facility security and safety by performing tasks as locking doors, checking electrical appliances to ensure safety hazards are not created.
• Shovel snow swept and maintain the grounds of the facility.
• Assist in apartment turnover process, of cleaning out and preparing apartments for new residents.
• Deep cleaning of all common areas such as but not limited to the cafeteria and/or kitchen areas, and conference rooms.
• Assist with the repair work within the facility, under the direction of the Facility Manager.

People & Teamwork:

• Builds relationships with other Housing Works Departments and demonstrates excellent teamwork and growing this within the department and organization.
• Listens to questions and concerns, evaluating issues and possible solutions, fixing the problem as appropriate, working with others to address systemic problems and ensuring that staff members receive the necessary training and tools needed.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism, integrity and communication with other staff.
• Provides excellent internal and external customer service; recognizes the needs of team members and is direct, specific and non-punishing in communication and behaviors.

Advocacy:

• Participate in advocacy and direct action to end the twin crisis of homelessness and HIV/AIDS.

• High School Diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience with and proven commitment to working with low-income and marginalized communities, as well as individuals with multiple chronic medical and/or behavioral health conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and exercise good judgment, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal day-to-day supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional computer software skills, including MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and working familiarity with Salesforce or similar.
• Ability to travel to appointments, meetings, conferences, etc. for job-related business.
• Physical demands and work environment characteristics described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. This job description in no way states or implies that the essential duties described are the only responsibilities. The employee is required to follow any other instruction and to perform any other work duties at the request of the supervisor or other management personnel.