Lead Custodian (CUSTODIAN LD)

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plans

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Employee wellness program

Job summary

The University of California - Davis is seeking a Lead Custodian to supervise daily custodial operations, organize workloads, and provide lead direction to custodial staff on campus. This role emphasizes coordination, inspections, and training while reporting staffing and facility needs to management.

Based in Davis, the position is 100% on-site with a shift schedule of 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. UC benefits apply, and a valid California driver's license is required for full consideration.

Qualifications

• Valid California driver's license required.
• No minimum education required.
• At least 1 year custodial experience.
• Ability to determine materials and equipment for cleaning tasks.
• Knowledge of cleaning solvents and related chemicals.
• Knowledge of standard custodial safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate custodial staff; organize work and staffing coverage.
• Conduct building inspections and provide training and guidance.
• Manage performance and report staffing needs to supervisor.
• Ensure safety and quality in custodial tasks and operations.
• Support emergency response and other duties as needed.

Skills

Custodial experience

Driver's license

Safety knowledge

Verbal and written communication

Education

No formal education required

Job description

Under the general supervision of the Custodial Supervisor, the Lead Custodian performs the full range of custodial duties and provides daily lead direction to assigned custodial staff. The position organizes and distributes work, coordinates staffing coverage, reviews completed assignments, conducts building inspections, provides technical guidance and training, and keeps management informed of staffing, resource, scheduling, service, and facility needs. The Lead Custodian does not have formal supervisory authority but refers performance, attendance, conduct, and other personnel matters to the supervisor.

Apply By Date: September 23rd 2026, by 11:59PM

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• No Minimum Education required.
• At least one (1) year of experience performing custodial work.
• Experience and skills to determine use of custodial materials and custodial equipment needed to perform cleaning tasks.
• Knowledge of cleaning solvents, soaps, waxes, and other related chemicals used to clean offices, carpets, floors, etc.
• Knowledge of standard safety precautions and rules used in custodial work.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 6 months of experience in leading other staff or students.
• Customer service skills to establish effective working relationships.
• Develop, implement and conduct training and safety programs.
• Skill to maintain written records and prepare reports, perform basic arithmetic calculations.
• Knowledge of standard safe work practices to guide custodial staff.
• Verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey instructions and information to staff and supervisors.
• Skill to instruct others on how to use equipment and cleaning solvents.
• Knowledge of all campus and state driving codes and regulations (exhibit safe driving practices, observing all campus and state driving codes/regulations and exhibit extreme caution in busy pedestrian/traffic/bicycle areas).

Key Responsibilities

• 45% - Custodial Operations
• 40% - Lead Duties
• 10% - Training, Equipment, Supplies and Customer Support
• 5% - Emergency Response and Other duties.

Department Overview

Custodial Services is a unit within UC Davis Facilities Management that provides comprehensive custodial support to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the campus community. The department is responsible for servicing more than 11 million square feet across approximately 1,200 campus buildings, including classrooms, laboratories, offices, research facilities, residence spaces, and other shared areas, through day, swing, and night shift operations. Services include routine cleaning and sanitization, floor care, waste and recycling collection, event support, and other custodial functions that support the university's teaching, research, and public service mission.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $26.66/hr. - $34.44/hr.
• Salary Frequency: Bi-weekly
• Salary Grade: STEPS
• UC Job Title: CUSTODIAN LD
• UC Job Code: 005113
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F 10:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.
• Location: Davis
• Union Representation: SX-Service Workers
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Walking - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Sitting - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Twisting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours