Custodian

Salk Institute for Biological Studies; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego is seeking a reliable custodian to perform semi-skilled cleaning across Institute facilities and assist with cleaning and maintenance of tools, equipment, and work areas. This role supports general lab operations and event setups with early hours.

Responsibilities include surface cleaning, floor care, waste removal, restrooms, and coordination with supervisors on supplies and repairs. Prior custodial experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience as a working custodian.
• Must be willing to maintain First Aid/CPR/AED training/certification.
• Must be willing to submit a post-offer physical, TB Tests, vaccines and similar as required.

Responsibilities

• Visually inspects assigned area(s) of responsibility to assess scope of necessary cleaning.
• Empty, collect and dispose of trash, as necessary.
• Vacuum floor coverings and upholstered furniture.
• Mixes water and chemical concentrates in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
• Cleans and polishes surfaces as necessary including but not limited to, vinyl, plastic, furniture, fixtures, desks, pictures, ledges, walls, machines, blinds, and other related surfaces.
• Move furniture as necessary for cleaning, return to appropriate spaces.
• Prepare floor cleaning chemicals and mop floors.
• Wash light and air diffusers with appropriate tools and ladders as needed to reach required heights.
• Fully services restrooms to include cleaning/sanitizing counters and basins, cleaning/sanitizing toilet bowls, cleaning shower areas including floor drains, cleaning mirrors of varying sizes and heights, and cleaning walls.
• Sweeps and cleans sidewalks, walkways, stairwells, and other common areas, offices, or laboratories.
• Steam-cleans or shampoos carpets using bulky power equipment.
• As necessary, continually communicates with supervisor regarding any repairs/or maintenance, supplies and equipment needed to support established procedures and protocols.
• Sets up, arranges, and removes tables, chairs, and other items used to prepare facilities/rooms for events such as banquets and meetings.
• Packs and unpacks fixtures, furniture and equipment of varying weights and sizes.
• Inventories and restocks storage areas in a variety of locations throughout the Institute.
• Loads fixtures, furniture and equipment onto trucks or carts for transport.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Custodian experience

First aid/CPR/AED training

Job description

The position is responsible for performing semi-skilled cleaning throughout the Institute, and assisting with the cleaning and maintenance of tools, equipment, and work areas. Performs general labor duties on a routine and/or regular basis, based on operational needs.

Working hours for this position are 2:00am-10:30am

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Visually inspects assigned area(s) of responsibility to assess scope of necessary cleaning.
• Empty, collect and dispose of trash, as necessary.
• Vacuums floor coverings and upholstered furniture.
• Mixes water and chemical concentrates in containers to prepare cleaning solutions, according to specifications.
• Cleans and polishes surfaces as necessary including but not limited to, vinyl, plastic, furniture, fixtures, desks, pictures, ledges, walls, machines, blinds, and other related surfaces.
• Move furniture as necessary for cleaning, return to appropriate spaces.
• Prepare floor cleaning chemicals and mop floors.
• Wash light and air diffusers with appropriate tools and ladders as needed to reach required heights.
• Fully services restrooms to include cleaning/sanitizing counters and basins, cleaning/sanitizing toilet bowls, cleaning shower areas including floor drains, cleaning mirrors of varying sizes and heights, and cleaning walls.
• Sweeps and cleans sidewalks, walkways, stairwells, and other common areas, offices, or laboratories.
• Steam-cleans or shampoos carpets using bulky power equipment.
• As necessary, continually communicates with supervisor regarding any repairs/or maintenance, supplies and equipment needed to support established procedures and protocols.
• Sets up, arranges, and removes tables, chairs, and other items used to prepare facilities/rooms for events such as banquets and meetings.
• Packs and unpacks fixtures, furniture and equipment of varying weights and sizes.
• Inventories and restocks storage areas in a variety of locations throughout the Institute.
• Loads fixtures, furniture and equipment onto trucks or carts for transport.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Minimum one year experience as a working custodian
• Must be willing to maintain First Aide/CPR/AED training/certification.
• Must be willing to submit a post-offer physical, TB Tests, vaccines and similar as required.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $17.75-$23.50 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.