Custodial Worker Opportunity at Grissom Air Reserve Base: Complete Career Guide

Maintaining clean, safe, and comfortable facilities is crucial to the operational readiness of the United States Armed Forces. At Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana, lodging operations play a vital role in hosting military personnel, families, and official visitors. The Department of the Air Force is currently seeking motivated individuals to join their Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) team as a Custodial Worker (Janitor) at the Grissom Inn.

This position offers an excellent entry point into federal support service. With competitive pay starting at $18.23 per hour, access to base morale and recreation benefits, and a dynamic work setting, this role appeals to physical workers who take pride in maintaining exceptional facility standards. This guide provides a detailed overview of the responsibilities, candidate requirements, compensation details, and steps to submit a winning application on USAJobs.

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About the Agency: Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command

The Air Force Services Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) organization powers quality-of-life programs across military installations worldwide. Operating under the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, NAF activities manage guest lodging, dining centers, recreational facilities, and community centers that sustain military readiness and morale.

Grissom Air Reserve Base is nestled in Miami County, Indiana—an area celebrated for its rich aviation heritage, scenic riverways, and abundant outdoor recreation. The base lodging infrastructure, specifically the Grissom Inn, ensures that visiting service members enjoy restful, sanitary accommodations during drill weekends, training exercises, and official travel.

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Job Responsibilities and Daily Operations

As a Custodial Worker assigned to the Grissom Inn, you will perform a broad spectrum of sanitation, routine repair reporting, and light maintenance duties. The work ensures guest rooms, common lounges, administrative areas, and exterior building entrances meet rigorous military health standards.

Key Daily Duties Include:

• Comprehensive Room Sanitation: Vacuuming draperies and carpets, dusting woodwork, polishing metal fixtures, cleaning interior/exterior windows, and sanitizing guest quarters.
• Floor Upkeep & Equipment Operation: Sweeping, mopping, stripping, scrubbing, waxing, and buffing floors using industrial power machines. Adjusting brushes, pads, and attachments as required.
• Restroom Maintenance: Cleaning water fountains, mirrors, and glass partitions; replacing paper towels, soaps, toilet tissues, and deodorizers daily.
• Waste Management: Emptying wastebaskets, ash receptacles, and trash bins, disposing of heavy refuse safely.
• Seasonal Exterior Upkeep: Clearing litter around facility grounds, shoveling snow, applying de-icing solutions to walkways, mowing lawns, and watering landscaped areas around base lodging facilities.
• Supply & Hazard Reporting: Monitoring cleaning chemical supplies, notifying leadership when items require replenishment, and identifying plumbing leaks or equipment malfunctions.

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Candidate Requirements and Physical Standards

Federal custodial roles demand significant physical endurance and attention to detailed safety protocols. Candidates are evaluated based on practical skills rather than academic credentials.

Minimum Eligibility Standards:

1. Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or Non-U.S. National with a minimum of three consecutive years of U.S. territory residency.
2. Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must demonstrate valid Selective Service registration.
3. Physical Capacity: Ability to continuously stand, stoop, bend, and stretch over long periods. Candidates must be able to push loaded supply carts weighing over 100 pounds and occasionally lift objects exceeding 50 pounds.
4. Chemical & Equipment Handling: Practical knowledge of mixing sanitizing solutions safely and managing heavy floor polishers or buffers.
5. Instruction Compliance: Ability to complete multi-step tasks according to written or oral guidance independently.

Note: Educational background cannot be substituted for the required practical experience for this job series.

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Salary Overview and Position Structure

This role is classified under the Federal Wage System (FWS) Non-Appropriated Fund pay scale at Grade NA-02. It operates as a Flexible position, offering shift agility depending on lodging occupancy rates and base events.

Classification Attribute	Details
Position Title	Custodial Worker (Janitor)
Pay Band / Grade	NA-02
Hourly Rate	$18.23 to $18.98 per hour
Employment Type	Flexible (0 to 40 hours/week)
Shift Demands	Irregular shifts including weekends, holidays, and nights
Duty Location	Grissom AFB, Indiana
Relocation Benefits (PCS)	Not Authorized

Flexible appointments offer great adaptability for workers looking to balance personal schedules while building valuable work experience within the Department of Defense.

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Employee Benefits and Base Perks

While flexible NAF positions may not automatically include standard full-time federal health benefit plans, team members gain valuable installation privileges that enhance everyday life.

• Base Fitness Access: Employees enjoy eligibility to use the Grissom AFB physical fitness centers, gymnasiums, and athletic tracks.
• Recreational Perks: Access to Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs, outdoor equipment rentals, and leisure travel programs.
• Base Lodging Eligibility: Special accommodation access across participating military lodging structures.
• Community Living: Proximity to Miami County's local attractions, including Mississinewa Reservoir, scenic hiking trails, and regional golf courses.

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Step-by-Step Application Tips for USAJobs

Navigating the federal hiring process requires precision. Follow these strategic recommendations to make sure your application passes initial HR screening:

1. Highlight Work Experience Clearly: Your resume must explicitly describe your experience with industrial equipment, chemical handling, and heavy physical labor. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "Cleaned and maintained 20+ lodging units daily").
2. Avoid Prohibited Content: Do not attach photos, civilian naturalization numbers, or sensitive personal items to your resume package. Resume files containing photos are automatically disqualified.
3. Sanitize Supporting Documents: When submitting documentation like marriage certificates or military orders to claim hiring preferences (e.g., Military Spouse Preference or Veteran Preference), redact sensitive third-party personal information.
4. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: Review the preview questionnaire before submitting to ensure your detailed background matches your self-assessment ratings accurately.
5. Monitor Document Scans: Upload files early. Federal security protocols subject uploaded PDFs and documents to virus scans that can take several hours to clear.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is eligible to apply for this job?

A: This vacancy is open to the general public. Veterans, military spouses, and individuals with priority hiring preference will be categorized accordingly upon documentation review.

Q: What hours am I guaranteed each week?

A: Flexible NAF positions carry no guaranteed minimum hours per week. Schedules vary between 0 and 40 hours based on seasonal base lodging volume and workload requirements.

Q: Is a security clearance required for this custodial job?

A: A formal security clearance is not required. However, candidates must undergo a low-risk suitability/fitness adjudication check, direct deposit setup, and E-Verify background confirmation.

Q: How will I receive updates on my application status?

A: Automated updates will be sent via email if you provide a valid address during application. You can also monitor your application progress directly in your USAJobs account profile dashboard.

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If you are a physically active, service-minded individual seeking stable hourly work in Miami County, Indiana, the Custodial Worker opening at Grissom AFB offers an incredible opportunity. Working within base lodging puts you on the front lines of military hospitality, supporting service personnel and their families directly. Prepare your resume, gather your supporting records, and submit your application through USAJobs before the announcement closes on October 23, 2026.