Custodial Operations Lead - Oregon Zoo

Oregon Metro; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro in Portland seeks a Custodial Operations Lead to direct day-to-day custodial work across a large, active public campus. This hands-on leadership role sets high standards while supporting staff, guests, contractors, and partner departments.

You will supervise shifts, perform audits, train staff on cleaning procedures and safety, and drive campus projects with clear progress updates to the Custodial Manager.

Qualifications

• Experience leading custodial teams in a large facility.
• Strong knowledge of cleaning procedures, equipment and safety standards.
• Ability to train staff and enforce quality and safety.
• Proven ability to supervise shifts and manage priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, assign, prioritize, and monitor daily custodial work across shifts.
• Adjust staffing for breaks, events, emergencies, and changing priorities.
• Conduct shift audits of restrooms, public areas, and storage areas.
• Train staff on procedures, equipment, chemicals, PPE, and safety standards.
• Provide corrective guidance and communicate performance concerns to management.
• Own and drive campus custodial projects with planning, safety review, and updates.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Safety procedures

Training and coaching

Communication

Quality checks

Job description

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Oregon Zoo Guest Services Division is looking for a Custodial Operations Lead to lead day-to-day custodial operations across a large, active, public campus. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who takes pride in clean, safe, well-run facilities and can set high standards while supporting staff, guests, contractors, and partner departments.

As the Custodial Lead you will

• Lead, assign, prioritize, and monitor daily custodial work across assigned shifts to ensure work is completed safely, thoroughly, and to Zoo standards.
• Adjust staffing and assignments for breaks, absences, call-outs, events, emergencies, changing priorities, and operational needs.
• Conduct shift audits and quality-control checks of restrooms, public areas, waste areas, equipment, supplies, storage areas, and assigned zones.
• Train and coach staff on cleaning procedures, equipment, chemicals, personal protective equipment, safety standards, Zoo expectations, and standard operating procedures, regardless of employee tenure.
• Provide direct, respectful corrective guidance when work does not meet standards, and communicate performance, attendance, conduct, safety, and follow-through concerns to the Custodial Manager.
• Own and drive campus custodial projects, including project planning, staff direction, safety review, quality checks, progress tracking, and biweekly updates to the manager.
• Build, refine, and update checklists, standard operating procedures, shift expectations, training tools, and procedure manuals to improve consistency and accountability.
• Inspect, organize, and maintain equipment, vehicles, tools, supplies, chemicals, personal protective equipment, and storage areas; remove unsafe equipment from service and coordinate repairs or replacement needs.
• Coordinate with Security, Maintenance, Events, Living Collections, Admissions, contractors, vendors, public officials, volunteers, and other departments to maintain safe, effective operations.
• Perform Custodian-level duties when needed, including restroom cleaning, waste removal, floor care, pressure washing, deep cleaning, light maintenance, event support, and vehicle or equipment operation.

Attributes for success

• Strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality, urgency, and personal accountability.
• Ability to organize complex daily operations, track follow‑up items, maintain records, and prevent work from falling through the cracks.
• Ability to lead from the front while balancing direction, delegation, coaching, documentation, and hands‑on custodial support.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make timely decisions with limited supervision while knowing when to elevate issues to management.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to verify work through audits, inspections, and follow‑up rather than relying only on verbal confirmation.
• Ability to communicate clearly by radio, email, written notes, shift handoffs, spreadsheets, scheduling tools, and in‑person conversations.
• Ability to hold staff accountable in a fair, consistent, respectful, and confidential manner, including difficult conversations when needed.
• Strong technical knowledge of custodial procedures, restroom sanitation, floor care, pressure washing, biohazard response, chemical handling, waste operations, and equipment use.