Lead Custodian, Auxiliary Facilities Services

UC Riverside Auxiliary Facilities Services is a vital department dedicated to maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and overall functionality of the university's campus facilities. UC Riverside, part of the prestigious University of California system, is a renowned public research university located in Riverside, California. With a commitment to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, the Auxiliary Facilities Services department ensures that campus buildings and outdoor areas are meticulously cared for and maintained. The department plays a critical role in supporting campus operations through expert custodial and housekeeping services, facility upkeep, and facility preservation efforts that uphold the institution's high standards.\n\nWithin this expansive and dynamic department, the role of Lead Custodian stands as a key leadership position responsible for guiding and performing a wide range of custodial and housekeeping tasks. This position offers a competitive hourly wage ranging from $21.05 to $28.89, with salary offers based on factors such as education, certifications, experience, and various organizational needs. The employment is a staff position that requires current work authorization, with no sponsorship of employment visas available. As a valued member of UC Riverside's workforce, the Lead Custodian will be expected to adhere to all applicable university policies and collective bargaining agreements, alongside any relevant federal, state, or local government mandates.\n\nThe Lead Custodian role is multifaceted. It demands proficiency in cleaning, dusting, stripping, waxing, sweeping, mopping, polishing, disinfecting, sanitizing, vacuuming, restroom replenishment, and refuse/recycling removal throughout campus facilities. These facilities include conference rooms, elevators, stairwells, building exteriors, and more. The position may involve working independently or leading a team in assigned areas of the campus. A key element of this role is supervising critical day-to-day custodial operations in the absence of the supervisor, providing subject matter expertise, and offering guidance to custodial and housekeeping staff. Communication skills are essential, as the Lead Custodian must maintain a positive attitude and effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors, faculty, staff, and students.\n\nThe scope of this position also extends to ensuring the safe use of various cleaning chemicals and machinery — knowledge that requires understanding their interactions, hazard signs, and proper disposal methods. Mastery of equipment handling is crucial, encompassing a broad array of tools such as stripping and buffing machines, vacuums, steam pressure washers, wet/dry shop vacuums, carpet extractors (including bonnet, dry, and hydro extraction types), and raiding flooring cleaning machines. The Lead Custodian must also be adept at maintaining and applying appropriate care techniques to diverse floor surfaces including resilient tile, carpeted areas, and terrazzo.\n\nFlexibility is required, given the need to work scheduled, unscheduled, and emergency overtime hours that may include weekends, holidays, and shifts during early mornings, evenings, or overnight hours to support campus event schedules. Perhaps most importantly, this role demands self-motivation and reliability to complete duties with minimal supervision and a fluctuating workload. Overall, the Lead Custodian at UC Riverside plays an indispensable role in sustaining the campus's cleanliness, safety, and aesthetic appeal, contributing significantly to the university community's quality of life and operational excellence.