Lead Custodian

Description

St. Philip the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Our mission is simple and serious: to evangelize and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

A parish campus is never just a set of buildings. It is the place where the mission happens. The person who keeps it clean and ready is not “behind the scenes” — they help preach the first homily every visitor hears.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

The Lead Custodian is the heart of a clean, welcoming, event-ready campus. You set and hold the standard for how our spaces look and feel, lead the steward team day to day, and make sure every Mass, ministry, and gathering opens in a space worthy of it. You care for three principal buildings — a 600-seat church, a parish center, and a ministry center — along with a large patio, a prayer garden, and an extensive parking lot. Our campus is where many people first encounter the Church; you make sure that first impression is one of care and beauty.

WHAT YOU’ll DO

Daily Cleaning & Campus Readiness

Clean and maintain campus spaces to a high standard — restrooms, floors, offices, classrooms, meeting rooms, and the church.
Prepare spaces for daily Mass, weekend liturgies, ministries, and events, and reset them afterward.
Keep supplies stocked and moved where needed (mailroom, copier room, hospitality).
Leading the Steward Team

Coordinate the daily cleaning schedule and lead the other steward(s), setting standards and checking quality.
Train stewards on cleaning protocols, safety, and the parish’s standard of excellence.
Serve as the on-the-ground point person for campus cleanliness and event readiness.
Event Setup & Coordination

Set up and break down tables, chairs, and staging for Masses, ministries, and parish events.
Coordinate with staff, ministry leaders, and the Facilities Manager so every event is ready on time.
For Christmas, Easter, and other liturgical seasons, coordinate the steward team to set up and take down the worship environment — placing seasonal decorations and keeping the sacred space pristine through these high-attendance seasons — under the direction of the pastor, liturgy coordinator, and art & environment ministry.
Reporting to the Facilities Manager

Report to the Facilities Manager, taking direction on priorities, cleanliness standards, and schedules.
Report repairs, hazards, and maintenance needs to the Facilities Manager promptly.
Coordinate on campus readiness, deep-cleaning and floor-care schedules, and event logistics.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

You open the campus, check the overnight state of the buildings, and set the team’s priorities for the day. You clean and ready the church for daily Mass, assign restrooms and classrooms across the ministry center, and set up the hall for tonight’s ministry gathering. When you spot a leaking faucet, you log it for the Facilities Manager rather than letting it wait. Before you leave, you confirm tomorrow’s event spaces are prepped and the team knows the plan — and the campus is visibly ready because you made it so.

WORKING AT A PARISH

This is not a ministerial position, and candidates of all faiths are welcome to apply. All parish employees are expected to support and uphold the mission, values, and moral teachings of the Catholic Church in the conduct of their work, and to treat every member of our community — staff, parishioners, and guests — with respect and charity.

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must complete and maintain all Archdiocese of Los Angeles Safe Environment requirements, including a background check, Live Scan fingerprinting, and VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children” training.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The pay range for this position is $20.00–$24.00 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications, reflecting the added responsibility of leading the steward team. This is a 30-hour, non-exempt (overtime-eligible) position. Because it is scheduled at 30 hours per week, it may qualify for health coverage; benefit eligibility follows Archdiocese of Los Angeles policy.

The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. A number of factors are considered when making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, and parish needs.

St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on any basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Benefits:
Employee assistance program
Paid jury duty
Paid time off
Paid training

Ability to Commute:
Pasadena, CA 91106 (Required)
Work Location: In person

Requirements

2+ years of custodial or cleaning experience, with a high personal standard of cleanliness.
Experience leading or coordinating others, or clear readiness to step into a lead role.
Reliability, attention to detail, and genuine pride in the work.
Physical ability for active cleaning and event setup (see Physical Requirements).
Ability to clear and maintain Archdiocesan Safe Environment requirements (background check, fingerprinting, VIRTUS training).
Preferred

Experience in a church, school, or event-driven facility.
Familiarity with cleaning equipment, products, and safe handling.
Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Physical Requirements

This is a physically active role. You should be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, move tables and chairs, stand and walk for extended periods, kneel, bend, reach overhead, and safely use cleaning equipment and products. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law.

Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.