Lick Observatory Senior Custodian

University of California; California; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established research unit is seeking a dedicated Senior Custodian to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the Lick Observatory. This role involves a variety of custodial tasks, ensuring a welcoming environment for both staff and visitors. The position offers a unique opportunity to work in a picturesque location while contributing to the observatory's mission of supporting astronomical research. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a commitment to safety and service. Join a vibrant community dedicated to innovation and excellence in a stunning setting.

Benefits

Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans

UC Retirement Plans

Group Term Life Insurance

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Paid Holidays

Accrued Vacation

Sick Leave

Qualifications

• Knowledge of custodial and housekeeping practices suitable for Senior Custodian.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse community members.

Responsibilities

• Perform cleaning duties including dusting, vacuuming, and disinfecting.
• Ensure cleanliness of assigned areas and report maintenance issues.

Skills

Custodial Practices

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Safety Procedures

Prioritization Skills

Tools

Vacuum Cleaner

Floor Scrubber

Polisher

Job description

THIS POSITION IS BASED AT LICK OBSERVATORY, MT HAMILTON, CA

Lick Observatory, located on Mount Hamilton, is the worksite for this position and is located 19 miles east of San Jose on Highway 130 at 4,200 feet elevation.

*Note: There is no public transportation available to the site.

Year-round residential housing with nominal rent is available for the selected Senior Custodian candidate. Residents are responsible for personal utilities costs.

Lick Observatory offers a friendly working environment with a diverse set of challenges, in addition to the incredible views of the surrounding areas.

Other benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz / Lick Observatory include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .

The IRD for this job is: 05-12-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit (MRU) funded via the University of California Office of the President, Office of Research and headquartered on the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students across the UC system who are engaged in research, education and training in optical and infrared astronomy. In addition to managing the technical, physical plant and public outreach operations of the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California, UCO provides the scientific and administrative liaison to the shared Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i and the international collaboration for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project. UCO comprises extensive scientific and technical staff and facilities at UC Santa Cruz and Lick Observatory as well as administrative and business services. The Lick Observatory telescopes are scheduled 363 days per year, weather permitting. Additionally, Lick hosts about 30,000 members of the public via its summer programs and casual visitors.

Under supervision of the Lick Observatory Facilities Supervisor, the Senior Custodian performs semi-skilled and skilled cleaning duties at Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. Responsible for cleanliness of assigned areas, individually and as part of a team. The work site is located 19 miles southeast of San Jose at 4,200 feet elevation. Operating needs of the department require working on weekends and holidays which occur during employee's regular schedule.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $23.83 - $25.80 / Hourly. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Part-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 80%, 32 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Wed - Sat (8 hours per day)

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Lick Observatory - MT HAMILTON, CA

Union Representation: SX - Service

Job Code Classification: 005116 - CUSTODIAN SR

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

100% - Custodial and Housekeeping Services

• Dust, clean and/or vacuum floors in hallways, corridors, stairs, lounges, outside steps, window sills, and other designated areas using a variety of cleaning solutions and supplies. Clean and disinfect restrooms, shower room, and kitchen area fixtures, air vents, shower curtains and drains. Make beds, change linens, towels etc. Count and bag soiled laundry, count and store clean laundry. Empty wastebaskets, and other receptacles. Unstop minor drain stoppages. Wash glass, and trim on entrance doors. Receive and stack custodial supplies. Report items that need repair. Rearrange or move furniture, supplies, and miscellaneous equipment as directed, raise flags and lock and unlock buildings.
• Periodic Duties: Clean woodwork, light fixtures, venetian blinds, radiators, grills, ducts, walls, blackboards, washing machines, dryers and other types of equipment. Wax and/or polish furniture. HEPA vacuuming, and wet mopping of various telescope dome areas. Spot clean carpets, upholstered furniture, draperies and other designated material. Wash interior windows and exterior where accessible without a ladder. Dilute cleaning compounds according to the directions indicated on the labels. Read and understand information on warning signs. Drive a University vehicle to transport equipment, supplies, trash, etc. between building locations.
• Building Security: Lock and unlock buildings according to written instructions. Carry out emergency procedures (communicating with fire and police personnel), and evacuating buildings in the event of a fire or other disaster.
• Special Duties: Hand out and collect keys, and parking permits. Report maintenance problems. Make lists of needed supplies. May interact with campus staff/visitors regarding assigned duties. May be required to assist tourists with directions or obtaining gasoline. May be required to reset certain control devices as deemed necessary. Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of or ability to learn custodial and housekeeping practices and procedures suitable to the level of Senior Custodian.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with members of the diverse Lick Observatory community.
• Experience working effectively in a service-oriented environment with changing priorities and frequent interruptions.
• Skill in prioritizing workload to meet daily schedule.
• Knowledge of safety procedures, and ability to safeguard keys issued, which are necessary for assigned areas.
• Skill in following through and carrying out assignments independently.
• Knowledge of proper and safe use of custodial equipment and chemicals.
• Ability to operate floor and backpack type vacuums, floor scrubbers and polishers.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and be able to participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Must have the ability to: operate a vacuum, floor scrubber, and polisher; use cleaning chemical compounds; perform essential custodial duties including dumping bags into dumpster or moving equipment and materials with or without accommodations.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to move equipment and materials weighing up to 50 lbs. without accommodation. Must possess the physical ability to perform all essential custodial duties requiring stooping, walking, carrying, reaching, lifting and climbing stairs or ladders. Ability to perform manual work including transporting supplies, furniture, and equipment. Ability to work with various cleaning chemicals, having various degrees of toxicity.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy .

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.