CMM spoke with Fikru Aligaz, manager of custodial support services and hazmat control, about overseeing facility service contractors at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Overland Park, Kansas.
How long have you been working in environmental services (EVS)?
Fikru Aligaz: I worked in the EVS profession for nearly four decades. Over the years, I have advanced through multiple leadership roles while gaining experience in custodial operations, hazardous material handling, contractor oversight, and custodial supply management.
How long have you been working at JCCC?
Aligaz: My journey at JCCC began in 1985 as a full-time college student employed as a custodian. In 1991, I was promoted to lead custodian, and in 2006, I became custodial supervisor. In 2023, I advanced to my current role as manager of custodial support services and hazmat control.
In this role, my focus is on contractor services—overseeing building cleaning services, pest control, and window cleaners. I also manage custodial supply vendors, hazardous material compliance, and campus custodial staff support.
What are your biggest job challenges?
Aligaz: One of the biggest challenges I face is with building cleaning contractors. At times, they fail to meet agreed standards or complete their work properly. This often requires me to
follow up repeatedly through emails, reports, and corrective actions. Unlike in-house custodial staff, contractors sometimes lack consistency, which creates additional oversight work. Other ongoing challenges include:
- Ensuring vendor accountability across pest control and window cleaning.
- Maintaining quality despite the scale of the campus and heavy daily usage.
- Balancing contractor performance with safety and compliance requirements.
How have you solved these problems?
Aligaz: I have addressed these challenges by:
- Establishing clear standards and accountability for contractors, supported with regular inspections and follow-up reports.
- Maintaining constant communication with vendors through written documentation and emails, ensuring issues are tracked and corrected.
- Using structured cleaning protocols and checklists to keep performance measurable.
- Holding review meetings with contractors to realign expectations and discuss problem areas.
- Ensuring custodial supplies are managed effectively so staff and vendors have the resources they need to succeed
Give a step-by-step account of your problem-solving methods.
Aligaz: In dealing with facility problems, I typically:
- Identify the issue through inspections, reports, or staff/vendor feedback.
- Analyze the root cause (staffing, vendor performance, scheduling, supply gaps, or equipment limitations).
- Develop a corrective plan, involving redeployment of staff, vendor adjustments, or improved supply sourcing.
- Implement the plan with clear expectations and accountability.
- Monitor performance through follow-ups and inspections.
- Refine and adapt as needed to ensure long-term success.
What advice would you give to other EVS professionals who also struggle with these challenges?
Aligaz: First, I recommend documenting everything. Written records are essential when holding contractors accountable. Be sure to set clear expectations with vendors through consistent communication. You must be persistent. Repeated follow-ups may be frustrating, but consistency pays off. Finally, take the time to build relationships with your contractors, so communication is open, not just corrective.
