Top School Custodian Interview Questions and Answers

School custodians do far more than keep buildings clean. They help protect student and staff health, reduce safety risks, and keep daily operations running smoothly. For HR teams hiring in 2025, the best outcomes come from structured, job-relevant custodian interview questions that evaluate safety habits, reliability, communication, and facility know-how.

This guide provides ready-to-use school custodian interview questions, including elementary school custodian interview questions, plus a set of school custodian interview questions and answers you can use to standardize interviews and compare candidates fairly.

Understanding today’s school custodian role (and what to screen for)

A strong school custodian typically demonstrates competency in five areas:

Safety and compliance: Uses proper PPE, follows chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheets, and applies safe storage/handling practices (Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], n.d.).
Hygiene and infection-prevention basics: Cleans and disinfects appropriately, understands high-touch surfaces, and follows school-friendly cleaning practices (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.).
Operational reliability: Shows up consistently, follows schedules, and closes the loop on requests.
Customer service in a school setting: Communicates professionally with staff and works calmly around students.
Preventive facility care: Spots issues early (leaks, trip hazards, broken fixtures) and escalates through the right channels.

Use the interview to confirm the candidate can work independently, follow procedures, and respond appropriately when plans change - because they will.

How to structure interviews for custodian roles in schools

To make your process consistent (and easier to score), use three question types:

Behavioral questions (past actions predict future performance)
Situational questions (how they would respond in a school-specific scenario)
Technical/safety questions (chemicals, equipment, procedures)

This approach helps your interview questions for custodian job candidates stay job-related and comparable across interviews.

General custodian interview questions (core skills and reliability)

Use these custodian interview questions in any building role. They focus on dependability, task management, and professionalism.

Walk me through your start-of-shift routine. How do you set priorities?
Tell me about a time you had multiple urgent requests at once. What did you do first, and why?
Which cleaning tasks do you consider “must-do daily” in a school environment?
What does “attention to detail” look like in custodial work? Give an example.
Describe a time you received feedback or a complaint. How did you respond?
How do you handle working independently without direct supervision?
What would your previous supervisor say is your biggest strength on the job?

School custodian interview questions (school-specific scenarios)

These school custodian interview questions test judgment in an active learning environment.

How do you clean around students and staff without disrupting instruction or creating safety risks?
A teacher reports a strong chemical smell after cleaning. What steps do you take immediately?
How do you document completed work and report facility issues (e.g., leaks, broken locks, recurring plumbing problems)?
How do you handle restricted areas, keys, and security procedures?
If you notice a potential safety hazard (trip hazard, blocked exit, wet floor), what is your process - from immediate action to follow-up?
How do you approach high-touch surfaces during cold/flu season or other periods of increased illness?

Elementary school custodian interview questions (child-safety and communication)

Elementary settings require extra care, calm communication, and strong hazard awareness. These elementary school custodian interview questions help you assess that fit.

How do you keep cleaning chemicals and tools secured when young children are present?
You’re cleaning a hallway and a student becomes curious and approaches your cart. What do you do?
How do you handle bodily-fluid cleanup while maintaining privacy, safety, and proper sanitation?
What steps do you take to prevent slip-and-fall incidents during rainy or snowy days?
How do you communicate with teachers or office staff when a classroom needs immediate attention?

School custodian interview questions and answers

Use the following school custodian interview questions and answers as a benchmark. Sample answers should sound practical, safety-minded, and consistent with working in schools.

Question	What a strong answer includes	Sample answer
What safety steps do you take when using chemical cleaners?	Mentions label/SDS, dilution, PPE, ventilation, storage, never mixing chemicals	“I follow the label and the Safety Data Sheet, use proper dilution, and wear PPE as required. I make sure the area is ventilated and store chemicals securely. I also avoid mixing products and report any spills or exposure immediately.”
How do you prioritize cleaning during high-traffic times (arrival, lunch, dismissal)?	Focuses on restrooms, entrances, spills, visibility, quick resets, safety first	“I prioritize safety and high-use areas first - entrances, restrooms, and cafeterias. If there’s a spill or trip hazard, that becomes immediate. Then I cycle through quick touch-ups so the building stays safe and presentable.”
Describe how you would respond to broken glass in a hallway with students nearby.	Secures the area, keeps students away, uses proper tools/PPE, disposes safely, documents	“I’d block off the area right away and keep students away. Then I’d use the correct tools - broom and dustpan, gloves, and a sharps container if required - so no one gets cut. After cleanup, I’d inspect for fragments, dispose safely, and notify the appropriate staff.”
How do you handle a request that conflicts with your scheduled tasks?	Clarifying questions, triage, communication, documenting, adjusting schedule	“I confirm the urgency and safety impact. If it affects safety or instruction, I address it first. If not, I communicate when I can complete it and make sure it’s documented so nothing gets missed.”
How do you ensure restrooms stay sanitary throughout the day?	Routine checks, spot-cleaning, supplies, odors, high-touch surfaces, documentation	“I do scheduled checks, restock supplies, and spot-clean as needed. I focus on high-touch points like handles and dispensers, address odors quickly, and note recurring issues like leaks so they can be repaired.”
What does professionalism look like for a custodian in a school?	Respectful communication, discretion, calm demeanor, boundaries, reliability	“Professionalism means being respectful and discreet, especially around students. I keep my language and behavior appropriate, respond calmly, follow procedures, and communicate clearly with staff about needs and timelines.”

Safety and compliance topics to cover in every custodian interview

To reduce risk and improve consistency, include at least a few direct safety questions in your interview questions for custodian job candidates:

How do you find and use a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)? (OSHA, n.d.)
What PPE do you use for restroom cleaning or chemical handling, and why?
What steps do you take if you suspect chemical exposure or a reaction (skin, eyes, breathing)?
What is your process for labeling, storing, and securing chemicals and equipment? (OSHA, n.d.)
How do you decide whether to clean vs. disinfect a surface in a school setting? (CDC, n.d.)

If a candidate struggles here, you may be looking at a training-heavy hire - or a safety risk.

Trends shaping school custodian hiring

HR teams are increasingly screening for these capabilities:

Stronger infection-prevention habits: Candidates should understand routine cleaning, targeted disinfection, and high-touch attention - especially during illness spikes (CDC, n.d.).
Higher expectations for chemical safety: Schools benefit from custodians who consistently follow hazard communication practices, including SDS use and proper labeling/storage (OSHA, n.d.).
More documentation and coordination: Many schools rely on digital work orders, inventory tracking, and clearer handoffs between daytime and evening coverage. Even basic comfort with checklists, simple apps, or ticket-style requests is a plus.

Conclusion: Use better school custodian interview questions to hire with confidence

The best school custodian interview questions go beyond “Can you clean?” and uncover how candidates think about safety, prioritization, communication, and working around students. By combining general custodian interview questions with school-specific scenarios and elementary school custodian interview questions, you’ll build a consistent process that identifies dependable hires - and reduces avoidable risk.

Upgrade Hiring with Better Questions

Ready to standardize your hiring process and make interviews easier to score? Explore more role-specific question sets and structured interview resources:

Upgrade your interview toolkit here

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Cleaning and disinfecting your facility. https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/cleaning/cleaning-your-facility.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Hazard communication. https://www.osha.gov/hazcom

Essential School Custodian Interview Questions and Answers: A Practical Guide for HR