Overview
A high-performing custodial leader or supervisor makes a significant difference in their organization. These leaders are responsible for ensuring the first impression of their building is positive and welcoming, coordinating with building administration to ensure their needs are attended to, and are most often the first line of defense to respond to facility emergencies. Finding a candidate with these skills when a job is posted often presents challenges, as these skills require not only experience but problem-solving, planning, and leadership skills that are often not a function of typical custodial training programs.
In order to develop these skills so that well-qualified candidates are available when openings occur and to offer current employees an opportunity to learn these schools to grow into those positions, Wylie Independent School District created a Custodial Leadership Training Program. An application process was created and the program intent was communicated at multiple meetings and throughout the organization. Tony Jacinto, assistant director of operations, created a schedule of monthly meetings to cover various topics pertinent to custodial department leadership.
These meetings were scheduled when events were typically minimal in the facilities and ensured that building needs were handled by substitute or other supervisory staff so that the custodians who applied for and were admitted into the program could focus on these topics during their meetings without interruption or concern for their buildings care. Topics ranged from equipment use and care to cultural appreciation, non-verbal communication, safety, and training and development of others. Too often, these skills are not learned until they are on the job and are often trained in somewhat of an accidental fashion.
Being intentional about preparing our staff for any challenges they may face as leaders, gives them an opportunity to gain confidence, ask questions in a safe environment, and feel more adequately prepared to apply for a leadership position. Candidates who were selected for the program also took an exam at the end of the program to ensure mastery of the content and were awarded a certificate upon successful completion. They were also awarded to a lunch outing and special recognition by district administration. These custodial staff members who stepped up to learn more about becoming a leader report being more prepared to handle their current and future challenges and are more engaged in their work and future prospective opportunities. These are the type of candidates more organizations needs to take on critical leadership positions.
In-House Participants
Jennifer DuPlessis, Executive Director of Operations; Tony Jacinto, Assistant Director of Operations; Sabrina Sullivan, Administrative Assistant
Additional Information:
Custodial Leadership Training Program
