Senior Custodian

University of California, Santa Cruz; California (MO); On-site; USD 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Job summary

The Senior Custodian role at University of California, Santa Cruz focuses on maintaining interior and exterior areas at the 2120 Delaware Apartment Complex. Working to APPA Level 2 standards, this position handles advanced custodial tasks, basic grounds support, and waste handling, acting as a quality control point for daily operations.

Salary is budgeted between $27.60 and $29.29 per hour with full benefits. The work is on-site at UCSC Main Campus with 100% time commitment and day shifts.

Qualifications

• Experience using custodial equipment such as vacuums and floor machines.
• Knowledge of safe handling of cleaning chemicals and tools.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and APPA level standards.
• Strong communication and ability to work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and advanced custodial services in lobbies, hallways, restrooms and shared spaces.
• Maintain floors via vacuuming, sweeping and damp mopping with regular cleaning cycles.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces and keep restrooms sanitary with stocked supplies.
• Monitor exterior areas, ensure waste segregation and assist with event setup.
• Conduct routine inspections and operate custodial equipment safely.

Skills

Custodial equipment

Safety procedures

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Tools

Vacuum cleaners

Floor polishers

Carpet cleaners

Mops & carts

Job description

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

Real Estate and Contract Services, a unit of Financial Affairs, supports the UC Santa Cruz academic vision by managing and overseeing all real property acquisitions and divestitures, ground leasing, leases, licenses, easements and real property assets for the campus. This unit also assists campus units with non-research grant proposal development, submittals, post-award processes and grant management. Under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor of Finance Operations and Administrative Services & Campus Controller and the Director of Real Estate and Contract Services, the unit ensures all business contract and real property transactions and external grant projects support the primary mission of the campus as well as its strategic priorities and objectives.

Job Summary

The Senior Custodian is responsible for maintaining all interior and exterior common areas at the 2120 Delaware Apartment Complex in a clean, orderly, and well-presented condition. Working to APPA Level 2 (Ordinary Tidiness) standards, this role performs advanced custodial duties, supports basic grounds maintenance, and ensures proper waste handling and disposal across the property. The position may provide informal direction to other custodial staff and serves as a key point of quality control for daily operations.

Appointment Information

Budgeted Salary: $27.60 - $29.29/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

• Full-time, Fixed


• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week


• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri


• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: SX Union

Job Code Classification: 005116 (CUSTODIAN SR)

Travel: Never or Rarely

Job Duties

70% - Custodial & Maintenance

• Perform routine and advanced custodial services in lobbies, hallways, restrooms, elevators, stairwells, and shared amenity spaces.


• Maintain floors through vacuuming, sweeping, or damp mopping, addressing visible debris or buildup through regular cleaning cycles.


• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces such as door handles, elevator panels, and railings. Clean walls, doors, windows, counters, furniture, etc...


• Keep restrooms in a sanitary condition, ensuring supplies are stocked and no persistent odors exist.


• Maintain exterior walkways, plazas, and building entries through sweeping, litter removal, and periodic washing.


• Monitor landscaped areas and identify irrigation issues (e.g., broken sprinkler heads or leaks) that need repair.

25% - Waste Management & Logistics

• Perform routine trash and recycling collection from interior common areas and maintain the cleanliness of trash rooms.


• Ensure proper segregation of waste streams (trash, recycling, and compost) and transport bins to designated collection points for scheduled pickups.


• Assist with event setup and breakdown in common areas, ensuring spaces are ready for use.

5% - Inspections & Equipment

• Conduct routine inspections of assigned areas to ensure compliance with APPA Level 2 expectations, identifying deficiencies or escalating issues as needed.


• Operate custodial equipment safely and effectively, including vacuums, and floor machines.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in the use of custodial equipment and tools such as vacuum cleaners, powered floor polishers, industrial carpet cleaners, mops, carts, buckets, personal protective equipment, etc.


• Knowledge of proper and safe use of custodial equipment, chemicals, tools, etc.


• Knowledge of procedures related to building safety.


• Knowledge of green cleaning practices and safety procedures for handling waste.


• Skill in prioritizing workload to meet daily schedule.


• Ability to effectively communicate and follow oral and written instructions, read manuals, signs, and labels.


• Ability to work with minimal supervision.


• Ability to maintain cleanliness in alignment with the Association of Physical Plant Administrators 2 (APPA 2).


• Ability to accommodate changing priorities and complete tasks despite intermittent interruptions.


• Ability to carry and operate technology, including tablets and cell phones along with the use of programs and applications.


• Ability to safeguard keys issued, which are necessary for assigned areas.


• Ability to incorporate the concepts of sustainability into daily work efforts.


• Ability to promote the UCSC Principles of Community through collaboration, clear communication, and a focus on diversity and belonging.


• Ability to adapt to change, support organizational goals and use University resources responsibly and efficiently.

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 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.


• Ability to ascend/descend ladders with or without accommodation.


• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.


• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.


• Employees whose positions are designated as Category 1 or Category 2 for occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) must receive the Hepatitis B vaccination or sign a Hepatitis B vaccination declination statement. Initial and annual Bloodborne Pathogens training is also required.


• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.


• 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.

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.

• \"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:




• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy


• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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.

Notice of Availability

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/.

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.