Permanent Caretaker

Role Overview

This is a permanent caretaker position at Pope Francis School in Caledonia, Ontario. The role is a 1.0 FTE assignment with 40 hours per week across 12 months of the year. The scheduled afternoon shift runs from 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm. The start date has not yet been finalized.

About the Employer

Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board serves more than 13,000 students across Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties, the City of Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The Board has about 2,100 full- and part-time staff supporting belonging, teaching and learning, and wellness. It operates 29 elementary schools, 3 secondary schools, a multisite alternative education school, and 3 administrative offices. The organization is part of the Dioceses of Hamilton, London, and St. Catharines and serves communities within about one hour of Toronto, London, and Kitchener-Waterloo.

The Board states that it is a Catholic community working with families and partner agencies to create strong learning environments where all learners can reach their potential and feel safe and included.

What You Will Do

• Keep the school or assigned area clean, healthy, and safe.
• Look after the school grounds, including grass cutting and snow clearing.
• Support the Principal during site emergencies such as heating, repair, electrical, and water issues.
• Watch for and report any unsafe or concerning conditions on or near school property.
• Help outside groups using school facilities by opening and locking doors and escalating any issues such as damage, smoking, or fire-code concerns.
• Carry out minor maintenance and repair work on buildings, equipment, and machinery, including plumbing, electrical touch-ups, furniture repair, painting touch-ups, and boarding broken windows.
• Service equipment, systems, and machinery by changing filters, tightening or replacing fan belts, and greasing shafts or bearings.
• Run the school heating system, including start-up, shut-down, filter changes, greasing parts, and monitoring performance; this may include weekend and holiday attendance to check operation.
• Operate the school security system by checking doors and windows, switching lights on and off, and activating the system at the end of the shift.
• Attend after-hours events such as fire or security-related call-ins when requested.
• Track cleaning and maintenance inventory, prepare supply requisitions, and receive and store materials.
• Keep accurate records, including Ministry reports, online work requests, occurrence reports, fire logs, security reports, weekly fire alarm checks, and water flushing plus salting/sanding records.
• Follow WHMIS requirements and ensure chemicals are handled, labeled, and stored correctly using the Material Safety Data Sheet and related computer tools.
• Use safe work practices, including proper protective equipment and required procedures.
• Assist with fire drills, safety audits, and workplace inspections.
• Take on other duties assigned by the Supervisor of Maintenance, the Principal, or a designate.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least one year of training and experience in commercial or institutional cleaning, or an equivalent combination that builds knowledge of cleaning procedures and techniques.
• Ontario Secondary School Diploma, preferably with technical subjects.
• Ability to read and write, including preparing supply requisitions and incident reports, understanding WHMIS and MSDS documentation, and handling basic arithmetic such as proportions.
• Practical knowledge of basic electricity, plumbing, heating systems, yard care, fire extinguishers, alarms, security systems, and programmable timers.
• Understanding of safety rules and procedures, including WHMIS, personal protective equipment, lifting methods, material handling, and work from ladders or scaffolding.
• Experience operating tools and machinery safely, including power and hand tools, floor machines, and lawn-care equipment, as well as working from ladders, scaffolding, scissor-lifts, and man-lifts.
• Comfort using computers for data entry and basic software, internet, and email.
• Strong interpersonal ability to work effectively with supervisors, maintenance staff, teachers, students, and contractors.
• Ability to work independently with little direction and also function well in a team setting.
• Physical capability, subject to accommodation requirements, to perform tasks such as climbing ladders and scaffolding and moving moderate to heavy loads, including janitorial equipment, furniture, supplies, water pails, and garbage bags.

Application Requirements

• A cover letter is required.
• A resume is required.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to people already in the Casual Custodian pool when filling permanent caretaker and cleaner openings.

The Board notes its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and says it welcomes candidates from groups that may face systemic barriers. It also states that accommodations will be considered in line with the Human Rights Code. Candidates who need disability-related accommodation during the application or interview process are asked to request support in advance so the Human Resource Services team can handle the information confidentially.

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

The notice also includes the names Carol Luciani, Chair of the Board, and Michael McDonald, Director of Education & Secretary, along with the Board’s contact details and motto.

Employer Contact and Address

Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, 322 Fairview Drive, P.O. Box 217, Brantford, ON N3T 5M8. Phone: 519-756-6369. Email: info@bhncdsb.ca.