Jobs › Universities of Wisconsin

Custodian Lead (Continuous Recruitment)

Universities of Wisconsin · Oshkosh, WI

Posted Feb 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Universities of Wisconsin

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you led a team or showed others how to do a task.

What they are checking: Whether they have real leadership experience, since this role guides other custodians.

Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle conflict calmly, which helps build the respectful team culture the posting describes.

Why do you want to move into a lead role?

What they are checking: Whether they want more responsibility for good reasons and understand what it involves.

What would you do

A custodian on your team keeps skipping steps in their cleaning routine. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they address problems directly and fairly while keeping team respect.

This role is a campus security authority. What does that mean to you, and what would you do if someone reported a crime to you?

What they are checking: Whether they understand their duty to report, which the posting says comes with this role.

You get feedback from your supervisor that a building isn't meeting standards. What do you do next?

What they are checking: Whether they can take feedback and turn it into an action plan for the team.

How do you balance doing your own cleaning work with checking on the team?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage time between hands-on work and leadership.

About the work

How do you check that cleaning work meets quality standards?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear way to inspect work and give useful feedback.

What safety rules do you make sure your team follows?

What they are checking: Whether they know chemical, equipment and lifting safety well enough to enforce it.

How would you help a new custodian learn the job quickly?

What they are checking: Whether they can train people with patience and clear steps.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Universities of Wisconsin from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Universities of Wisconsin.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Custodian Lead (Continuous Recruitment) Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Custodian Lead Job Duties: Cleans institutional facilities, removes waste and recycling, and monitors building security to ensure cleanliness, orderliness, and safety in assigned areas. Leads the custodial work of others and responds to custodial emergencies. UWO is now offering sign-on bonuses for new Custodial and Grounds employees! Recruitment Bonus of $1,000 ($500 for part-time) will be awarded after successful completion of 180-day Probation Period (6 month)! Retention Bonus of $1,000 ($500 for part-time) will be awarded after successful completion of 1-year Employment Anniversary! Key Job Responsibilities: • Maintains organization of supply areas and equipment, documents inventory, and requests additional supplies as needed • Documents and reports repairs, violations, and pest control needs • Maintains clean and clear walkways to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice • Utilizes basic equipment and supplies to clean assigned facility areas and remove waste and recyclables • Schedules, monitors, and communicates with staff and assists with basic training • Monitors and secures facility interior and exterior entrances and reports issues to appropriate entities • Responds to facility emergency and hazardous situations, and escalates incidents according to established policies and procedures Department: Custodial Compensation: $16.50/hr Required Qualifications: • Strong attention to detail • Ability to assess workload, troubleshoot problems, and prioritize tasks • Strong customer service skills • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions • Effective interpersonal and oral communication skills • Ability to perform physical labor throughout work hours, including heavy lifting up to 50 lbs., bending, stooping, twisting and other motions with or without accommodation • Ability to work both independently and as a member of a custodial team • Ability to understand and utilize safety regulations to perform work in a safe manner at all times, utilizing safety and personal protective equipment • Ability to read/understand chemical labels/signs and/or pictures • Must pass a pre-work screen to ensure the ability to perform essential physical functions of the position with or without accommodations • Some assignments require the ability to obtain a WI Driver’s License and authorization to drive a University vehicle upon hire • Employees are expected to be flexible in the performance of their job functions and to communicate respectfully with students, co-workers, supervisors and other University staff, may be asked to work hours in excess of the normal shift and after-hours call-ins, including occasional weekend and holiday hours • Ability to get a State of Wisconsin Driver’s License Preferred Qualifications: • Prior custodial experience • Manage performance and productivity • Coach, train, and develop • Delegate and manage workflow • Resolve conflict and support team • Communicate and align with Management Education: • High school diploma or equivalent How to Apply: Applicants must submit the following documents using the online application: • Resume *Please use your application materials to speak to each of the qualifications for this position as listed above. Be sure to describe your relevant experience and areas of expertise, using specific examples from your work and education history. Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. All final candidates will be asked to provide names, email contact information, and/or phone numbers for three (3) references, with at least one being from a manager or supervisor, during the interview process. Note: Once you have attached your materials and submitted your application, you will not be able to go into the system and change them. Contact Information: For questions regarding your application and additional options to apply, contact Human Resources at recruitment@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1166. Work Authorization Unless otherwise indicated in the job posting, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. UW Oshkosh is not an e-verify employer; therefore, STEM extensions are not options for work authorization. Legal Notices: Reasonable Accommodations UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact hroffice@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/ , or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy. UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Legal Notices: Reasonable Accommodations UWO provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact hroffice@uwosh.edu or 920-424-1166. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWO is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. UWO will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWO Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see https://uwosh.edu/police/ , or call UWO Police Department, at (920) 424-1212 for a paper copy. UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Apply at Universities of Wisconsin

More custodian lead roles