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Custodian

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Stoughton, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 21, 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

Tell me about your cleaning experience. What kinds of buildings have you cleaned?

What they are checking: Whether they have the basic skills to clean offices, labs and shops.

How do you make sure you finish all your areas during a shift?

What they are checking: Whether they have a routine that keeps their work complete and steady.

Tell me about a time you noticed something wrong in a building and reported it.

What they are checking: Whether they pay attention and speak up about safety or maintenance problems.

Why do you want to work at the Physical Sciences Laboratory in Stoughton?

What they are checking: Whether they are interested in a steady, reliable role at this location.

What would you do

How would you clean around research equipment that you are not allowed to touch?

What they are checking: Whether they follow rules near sensitive research spaces and ask when unsure.

You find a spill in a lab and you do not know what it is. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and report instead of cleaning an unknown substance.

A researcher asks you to skip cleaning their area today. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they respect requests while letting their supervisor know.

About the work

What safety steps do you follow when using cleaning chemicals?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to use chemicals safely and read labels or safety sheets.

How do you take care of floor machines and other custodial equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they keep equipment working and report problems.

How do you handle recycling and waste so it ends up in the right place?

What they are checking: Whether they follow sorting rules carefully.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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. Job Category: University Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Custodian Job Summary: The Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) is a research and development organization within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. PSL develops unique instrumentation solutions used in scientific research programs all over the world. Our expertise spans the entire engineering process from initial conceptual design, through engineering development, fabrication, testing, and on-site installation. We have experience with projects at every scale and level of complexity. The Custodian position at UW–Madison’s Physical Sciences Laboratory is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and professional environment for employees, researchers, and visitors. Key duties include cleaning offices, laboratories, shop spaces, restrooms, hallways, and common areas; removing waste and recycling; restocking supplies; and properly using and maintaining custodial equipment. The position requires attention to detail, reliability, and adherence to established safety procedures, particularly when working near research spaces and specialized equipment. The custodian contributes to PSL’s mission by helping ensure the facility remains orderly, sanitary, and ready to support important scientific and engineering work. Key Job Responsibilities: • 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 • 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 Department: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research/Physical Sciences Laboratory Compensation: $17.51/hr minimum. Salary commensurate with experience. Required Qualifications: (1) Ability to stand for long periods of time. (2) Ability to lift 50lbs. Preferred Qualifications: (1) Experience performing custodial duties in a research/laboratory setting. (2) Experience safely operating floor scrubbers, lawn mowers, snowblowers, and other custodial and grounds-maintenance equipment. Education: H.S. Diploma Preferred Minimum How to Apply: To be considered, applications must be submitted online at https://jobs.wisc.edu. Please click on the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. You will be required to upload a resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please address your experience with the knowledge and skills of the position. Contact Information: Elizabeth Danielak edanielak@psl.wisc.edu Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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