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Custodian

Universities of Wisconsin · River Falls, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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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

What cleaning work have you done before, and what types of buildings were they?

What they are checking: Whether they have relevant experience or a real willingness to learn the work.

This is a temporary pool for openings at the Manitowoc and Sheboygan campuses. What schedule and how long can you work?

What they are checking: Whether their availability matches the temporary nature and timing of the role.

How do you handle doing the same tasks every day while keeping your quality high?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay careful and steady in repetitive work.

What would you do

You finish your assigned area early. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they take initiative and stay productive without being told.

You notice a broken window or a leak while cleaning. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report building problems quickly instead of ignoring them.

A professor asks you to clean their office a certain way that's different from your routine. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can be helpful and polite while checking with their manager on changes.

About the work

Walk me through how you would clean a restroom from start to finish.

What they are checking: Whether they work in a logical order and pay attention to germs and sanitation.

What floor care have you done, like buffing, shampooing or stripping and refinishing?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the floor care the posting lists as a key part of the job.

How do you stay safe when using cleaning chemicals?

What they are checking: Whether they know to read labels, never mix chemicals and wear the right protective gear.

How do you handle lifting and moving heavy items safely?

What they are checking: Whether they protect themselves from injury in a physical job.

Practice this interview out loud.

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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 Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Custodian Job Duties: Position Summary: Cleans residence hall facilities, removes waste and recycling, and monitors building security and safety by performing such tasks as locking doors after operating hours. Ensure cleanliness, orderliness, and safety in assigned areas. The mission of the Department of Residence Life is to create residential communities where students live civilly, learn effectively and discover success. Job Responsibilities • Utilizes basic equipment and supplies to clean assigned facility areas and remove waste and recyclables • Maintain sanitary conditions in all assigned restrooms, hallways and lounge areas • Maintain lobby and entryways daily • Clean during semester and summer breaks • Monitors and secures facility interior and exterior entrances and reports issues to appropriate entities • 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 • Completes minor maintenance requests as needed • Supports general maintenance and repair of facilities Key Job Responsibilities: • Documents and reports repairs, violations, and pest control needs • Maintains organization of supply areas and equipment, documents inventory, and requests additional supplies as needed • Monitors and secures facility interior and exterior entrances and reports issues to appropriate entities • Utilizes basic equipment and supplies to clean assigned facility areas and remove waste and recyclables • Maintains clean and clear walkways to ensure they are free of debris, litter, snow, and ice Department: Residence Life Facilities Required Qualifications: • Demonstrated experience with effective communication skills with supervisors, co-workers, and students • Ability to perform basic computer tasks including submit time through online system, submitting work orders online, and checking email • Experience organizing work tasks in a logical and effective manner • Recognize safety concerns and adhere to safety procedures • Recognize and communicate building problems and concerns • Ability to use or learn to use various custodial equipment • Demonstrated ability to use or learn to use cleaning and miscellaneous chemicals • Ability to read and follow instructions • Proven experience working independently or as part of a group • Perform manual labor including lifting 50 pounds or more • Ability to pass essential job function screening • Must be able to respond to issues in the residence halls that require an employee to be called after regular working hours How to Apply: Applicants are required to apply online at Career Opportunities . UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide: • Resume Inquiries should be addressed to: Melissa Davis Search Chair melissa.davis@uwrf.edu Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before September 29, 2026 . The selected candidate must be able to pass a post-offer employment test A six -month probationary period is required. Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 7.20%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/quickguideus.pdf Confidentiality of Applicant Materials The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). Title IX Notice As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at  titleix@uwrf.edu ; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see students.uwrf.edu/titleix . Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you, your most recent employer, and all previous Universities of Wisconsin institutions and State of Wisconsin agency employers from the past seven (7) years to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment per Universities of Wisconsin Administrative Policy 1275. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at  www.uwrf.edu/police/annual-security-and-fire-safety-report  or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy. Reasonable Accommodations UW-River Falls provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. 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 an accommodation in applying because of a disability, contact hr@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3518. Academic Freedom & Freedom of Expression The University is committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression, and provides all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to explore ideas and to speak, write, listen, challenge and learn, pursuant to Regent Policy Document 4-21 Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression . 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.

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