Lead Sr. Custodian

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 05-12-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Physical Planning, Development & Operations (PPDO) manages and oversees all University activities and services related to physical and environmental planning, design and construction, engineering, physical plant maintenance and operations, capital and space planning, space management, and the associated business services necessary to support these functions. The University's main campus is spread across more than 2,000 acres and includes over 500 buildings comprising more than 8 million square feet. The department includes operating budgets of over $60 million, manages a project portfolio of approximately $990 million, and employs over 400 full-time staff to carry forth the duties necessary for the campus' development and operation.

More information can be found at: https://physicalplant.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Under general supervision, the Lead Custodian acts as a group leader for a crew of six to eight Custodians and Senior Custodians on the day shift. The Lead Custodian performs project work such as refinishing floors, vinyl tile, linoleum, concrete, wood, etc., as well as carpet and upholstered furniture shampooing. The incumbent also performs building detail cleaning projects such as sweeping, mopping, waxing, dusting, polishing, etc., while ensuring proper use of cleaning chemicals. The Lead Custodian responds to campus-wide custodial emergencies and work orders such as spills, broken glass, vomit, blood, emergency restroom cleaning, restocking, etc. The incumbent is also responsible for the safe operation of Campus vehicles including refueling and reporting of repairs needed and other issues. Additionally, the Lead Custodian is responsible for the distribution of custodial supplies, campus unlocking, and cleaning of assigned areas. When assigned weekend shifts, the Lead Custodian works alone or leads a group of part-time temporary workers, as needed. The incumbent also performs event coverage and project work. The Lead Custodian is responsible for coordinating the work of custodians assigned to his or her crew. As necessary, the incumbent orients, trains, advises on methods, materials, and equipment to be used, and ensures the proper use, care, and safe working conditions of equipment. The Lead Custodian also orders and keeps track of custodial materials and equipment by taking inventory of supplies, maintaining logs, and preparing order forms to replenish supplies as needed. Additionally, the incumbent keeps a record of work completed and labor hours by maintaining logs of work accomplished and inspecting the quality and quantity of work produced and completed by the crew. The Lead Custodian is responsible for the master keys assigned to the crew and the security of the buildings and areas in which they work. The incumbent assists the custodial supervisor in scheduling work assignments, keeps supervisors informed of conditions and progress of projects being worked on, and acts as a substitute for the Senior Custodian and custodians by either performing all the duties of their position or assisting with scheduling substitutes for absent custodians when called upon or with other duties for supervisor as requested.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $24.32/hour
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: SX, Service Unit

Job Code Classification: CUSTODIAN LD (005113)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - General duties

• Responds to campus-wide custodial emergencies and work orders such as spills, broken glass, vomit, blood, emergency restroom cleaning and restocking, etc.
• Operates campus vehicles safely, including refueling and reporting of issues/repairs needed.
• Distributes custodial supplies.
• Performs campus unlocking.
• Cleans assigned areas.
• Drives a campus vehicle to transport materials and tools between worksites.

20% - Project work and Work Orders

• Performs project work such as refinishing floors, vinyl tile, linoleum, concrete, wood, etc. as well as carpet and upholstered furniture shampooing, building detail cleaning projects such as sweeping, mopping, waxing, dusting, polishing, etc.
• Ensures proper use of cleaning chemicals.
• Collects recycling from inside buildings and discards it at a designated location.
• High dusts inside buildings and immediately outside of building entrances.

20% - Absentee Coverage

• Acts as a substitute for senior custodian and custodians by performing all the duties of their position as needed.
• Assists supervision in scheduling substitutes for absent custodians when called upon.

10% - Assigning work and training

• Coordinates the work of custodians assigned to crew.
• Orients and trains when necessary.
• Advises in the methods, materials, and equipment to be used and ensures the proper use, care, and safe working conditions of equipment.
• Orders and keeps track of custodial materials and equipment by taking inventory of supplies, maintaining logs, and preparing order forms to replenish supplies as needed.
• Keeps a record of work completed and labor hours by maintaining logs of work accomplished.
• Inspects the quality and quantity of work produced and completed by this crew.

5% - Weekend shift

• Works weekend shifts alone or leads a group of part-time temporary workers as needed.
• Performs campus unlocking, clean assigned areas, event coverage, and project work.

5% - Team Leader

• Acts as a group leader for a crew of between six to eight custodians and senior custodians on the day shift. Note: This percentage goes up drastically in summer when groups perform periodic and project cleaning.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and experience in the use of custodial equipment and tools such as vacuum cleaners, powered floor polishers, industrial carpet cleaners, mops, carts, buckets, personal protective equipment, etc.
• Ability to direct activities, coordinate, lead, train, schedule work assignments and advise custodians of work safety requirements.
• Ability to order supplies, inspect completed work, ensure assigned key distribution and security of buildings are maintained, and inform custodial supervisors of conditions and progress of work projects.
• Effective English communication skills and interpersonal skills sufficient to interact and work effectively with staff, faculty, students and to work well in a team situation.
• Ability to read, write and perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to implement a customer service approach, with a commitment to high ethical standards.
• Ability to take initiative, organize, and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to accommodate changing priorities and complete tasks despite intermittent interruptions.
• Ability to incorporate the concepts of sustainability into daily work efforts.
• Ability to carry and operate technology, including cell phones and tablets and use programs and applications.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in carpet and upholstery shampooing, refinishing tiled, linoleum, wood and concrete floors, use of chemical compounds according to directions on labels.
• Ability to understand and speak Spanish.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Employee will work at the UC Santa Cruz Police Department and therefore must pass a thorough background investigation of personal and work history, including a fingerprint check of criminal history. A POST personal history statement (PHS) will be completed by the applicant and reviewed by the background investigator. Successful applicants will attend an online California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) training after passing the background check and sign a confidentiality form before working their first shift at the Police Department.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Must have the ability to: operate a vacuum, floor scrubber, and polisher; use cleaning chemical compounds; perform essential custodial duties including dumping bags into dumpster or moving equipment and materials with or without accommodations.
• Ability to work in conditions of variable temperature/weather with possible exposure to strong, unpleasant odors, high levels of noise and vibrations, and exposure to dust and allergens.
• Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.