Cohen House Steward

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 24,796 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Benefits

Job summary

Rice University in Houston, Texas, is looking for a Cohen House Steward to support housekeeping and event needs at the Faculty Club. The role involves daily cleaning, assisting with events, and maintaining high cleanliness standards.

Successful candidates will have custodial experience, a Houston Food Handler Certificate, and skills in teamwork and communication. This is an on-campus, full-time role with varying schedules, including the possibility of evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of related custodial or stewarding experience required.
• No formal education required.
• Experience in a fast-paced hospitality environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and event-driven housekeeping and stewarding support.
• Clean offices, kitchens, dining rooms, and public areas.
• Assist with event setup and breakdown.
• Buss tables during lunch service.

Skills

Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, sanitation standards, and safety procedures

Ability to operate commercial dishwashers and custodial equipment

Ability to speak and understand basic English

Good interpersonal skills

Ability to follow directions with minimal supervision

Education

Valid Houston Food Handler Certificate or equivalent (ServSafe)

Tools

Commercial dishwashers

Basic custodial equipment

Floor-care tools

Job description

Rice University, Houston, Texas, seeks a Cohen House Steward for the Faculty Club.

Position Summary

The Cohen House Steward provides routine and event-driven housekeeping and stewarding support for Rice University’s Faculty Club. Duties include daily cleaning of offices, restrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and public areas; dishwashing support; trash and linen removal; floor care; and maintaining sanitation and organization in both front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house spaces. The Steward also assists with bussing tables during lunch service, flipping rooms for banquets, and supporting event setup and breakdown. This position works closely with the culinary team, banquet captains, and event staff to ensure Cohen House is clean, guest‑ready, and maintained to Rice Hospitality standards. The Steward may be required to unlock and secure the building, report maintenance issues, and perform special custodial and event‑support assignments as needed. During campus emergencies, the incumbent is expected to report to campus, provide essential services, and work under the direction of the Crisis Management Team.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate has experience working in a team environment and is comfortable in a fast‑paced hospitality setting with shifting priorities. They should have at least one year of custodial, stewarding, or commercial kitchen experience and demonstrate strong attention to detail, dependability, and the ability to maintain cleanliness and organization in a high‑traffic facility.

Workplace Requirements

On‑Campus Position: This position is exclusively on‑site, requiring all duties to be performed in person at Cohen House, Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Work Environment

Combined indoor/outdoor work environment in kitchen facilities, dining spaces, offices, and event spaces. Work may occur in areas that are not climate‑controlled and may include tight or restricted spaces.

Work Hazards

Exposure to cleaning chemicals, wet/slippery floors, hot water, hot equipment, and commercial dishwashing machinery. Work may involve ladders, elevated areas, or outdoor surfaces.

Work Schedule

Weekly schedule may vary and can include evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays based on event needs. Must be available to work any required shift. Overtime may be required during peak periods.

Physical Demands

Moderate to heavy physical activity, including the ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; walk or stand for up to 8 hours a day; bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, climb, balance, and reach. Must be able to perform repetitive motion tasks and handle commercial cleaning tools and dishwashing equipment.

Hiring Range

$18.00–$20.00 per hour. Non‑Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• No formal education required
• 2+ years of related custodial, stewarding, or floor‑care experience
• Valid Houston Food Handler Certificate or equivalent (ServSafe)

Skills

• Knowledge of cleaning chemicals, sanitation standards, and safety procedures
• Ability to operate commercial dishwashers, basic custodial equipment, and floor‑care tools
• Ability to speak and understand basic English
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to follow directions and complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision

Essential Functions

• Cleans offices, restrooms, kitchens, hallways, dining rooms, and public spaces
• Vacuums, sweeps, dusts, and mops floors throughout Cohen House
• Washes, sanitizes, and stores dishes, utensils, pots, pans, and service ware (as needed)
• Removes dirty linens and kitchen trash; transports waste to dumpsters
• Busses tables during daily lunch service
• Assists with room flips and event setup for banquets, receptions, and meetings
• Cleans and polishes furniture, doors, mirrors, glass, and other surfaces
• Replenishes custodial supplies, restroom items, and sanitizer stations
• Cleans exterior entrances, patio areas, and kitchen ramps; leaf‑blows outdoor spaces as needed
• Performs periodic deep‑cleaning tasks (steam carpet cleaning, window washing, vent dusting, pressure washing)
• Identifies and reports needed repairs or maintenance issues
• Assists other custodians and hospitality staff as needed
• Unlocks/locks building and secures areas at beginning or end of shift, if assigned
• Performs all other duties assigned by supervisor or team lead

Benefits

Rice University HR provides benefits. For more information, visit https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits.

Mission and Values

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Human Resources Office at [e-mail] for support.