Jobs › Argonne National Laboratory

Janitor (TERM)

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $20.93–$22.13 an hour · Full time

Posted May 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

Apply at Argonne National Laboratory

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 noticed a safety problem at work, like a spill or a broken light. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they report hazards and follow safe work practices without being told.

Tell me about a past job where you showed you were dependable. What would your old supervisor say about your attendance?

What they are checking: The posting asks for a good demonstrated work record, so they want proof of reliability.

What do you do if you finish your assigned areas early?

What they are checking: Initiative and work ethic when no one is checking.

What would you do

You come to a lab room with a sign or a container you don't recognize. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop and ask instead of touching unknown materials, which matters at a research lab.

It snows overnight and the building steps and sidewalks need clearing before people arrive. How do you plan your morning?

What they are checking: Whether they can reorder their work around urgent safety tasks and still finish their regular route.

Your foreman gives you an extra task, like moving furniture for a meeting, while you're halfway through your route. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Flexibility with other duties as assigned while still keeping track of unfinished work.

About the work

Walk me through how you strip, seal and wax a hallway floor.

What they are checking: Whether they really know the floor care steps listed in the posting and the order they go in.

What industrial cleaning machines have you used, like scrubbers, buffers or pick up machines? How do you clean and care for them after a shift?

What they are checking: Hands-on equipment experience and whether they take care of shared machines.

How do you clean and sanitize a washroom so it's actually safe, not just looking clean?

What they are checking: Understanding of proper sanitizing, contact time and restocking, not just surface wiping.

How do you work safely on a ladder when changing a light bulb or cleaning a high fixture?

What they are checking: Basic ladder safety, since falls are one of the real risks of this job.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Argonne National Laboratory 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 Argonne National Laboratory.

Under the supervision of the Custodial Foreman, sweeps, dustmops, mops, scrubs, strips, seals, waxes and buffs floors. Picks up and disposes of waste paper and trash and removes trash. Spot-washes walls and washes and sanitizes washroom facilities and refills washroom dispensers. Washes and cleans windows, sills, glass partitions, mirrors, lighting fixtures, ashtrays and push-plates, bottoms of doors and stairways. May operate and clean industrial types of mechanical equipment such as scrubbing machines, buffers, polishers and pick up machines. Cleans and washes the canteen and lunchrooms and their furniture. Moves and replaces original furniture and other objects as required for the cleaning of all rooms. Changes light bulbs and works from ladders as necessary to clean. Sweeps and shovels dirt and snow from building steps, platforms and sidewalks. Performs miscellaneous related duties as assigned. This job description documents the general nature of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of job incumbent. Consequently, job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Position Requirements • A good demonstrated work record. • Complies with all Laboratory and Division ESH policies, work rules, and safe work practices. • One year of custodial experience preferred. • The negotiated pay rate with the union for this position is $20.93/hr. • Schedule is Monday-Friday 7:00-3:30pm. • Proficiency in English language to communicate operational information with co-workers and customers and to safely perform work. • Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork. This appointment has a maximum of 150 days but has the possibility to become permanent Job Family Union Job Profile Janitor Worker Type Short-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $20.93-$22.13. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Apply at Argonne National Laboratory

More janitor roles