Cohen House Steward

Rice University, located on a beautiful 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, is a prestigious institution consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. Renowned for its exceptional academic environment, Rice features a favorable 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a unique residential college system that nurtures students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally. This vibrant community offers an array of social events, intramural sports, theatrical productions, lecture series, courses, and opportunities for student government participation, fostering a close-knit, diverse college environment. Rice's commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere has earned it accolades for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice University is not only an excellent place for learning but also a wonderful workplace. Its faculty, staff, and students share core values encapsulated by the acronym RICE: Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. These values guide interactions within the community and set the tone for a welcoming environment for visitors and employees alike.

The Cohen House Steward position at Rice University offers an important role in maintaining the Faculty Club, a central social and dining venue for the campus community. This role involves routine housekeeping and stewarding duties essential to keeping the club clean, organized, and welcoming. Responsibilities include daily cleaning of offices, restrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and public areas, ensuring a sanitary environment in both front-of-house and back-of-house spaces. Dishwashing support, trash and linen removal, and floor care are integral parts of the role. In addition, the Steward assists in bussing tables during lunch, flipping rooms in preparation for banquets, and supporting event setup and takedown activities.

Collaborating closely with culinary teams, banquet captains, and other event staff members, the Steward plays a key role in upholding the high standards of Rice Hospitality. The role also requires occasional security duties such as unlocking and securing the building and reporting maintenance concerns. The position necessitates flexibility and readiness to assist with special custodial or event-related assignments as needed.

This is an on-campus, essential position that requires physical presence, even during campus emergencies, following direction from the Crisis Management Team. The work schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but may include evenings, weekends, or holidays depending on event demands, with potential overtime during peak periods. The work environment includes kitchen facilities, dining areas, office spaces, and outdoor sections, sometimes in non-climate-controlled or restricted spaces, and involves exposure to cleaning agents and commercial equipment.

Ideal candidates bring at least 2 years of experience in custodial, stewarding, or floor care environments, possess a valid Houston Food Handler Certificate or equivalent such as ServSafe, and demonstrate excellent attention to detail, dependability, and teamwork skills. The physical demands of the role are moderate to heavy, requiring lifting up to 50 pounds and standing or moving for extended periods. The hiring range is $18.00 to $20.00 per hour, with eligibility for overtime as a non-exempt hourly position under FLSA guidelines. This opportunity is perfect for individuals seeking a stable role within a university setting that values community and excellence.