Senior Custodian (5116C), ASUC Student Union #88889

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is hiring a Senior Custodian to maintain cleanliness and appearance of designated areas on the Main Campus in Berkeley. The role reports to the Custodial Supervisor and requires operating a range of cleaning equipment while following approved products and frequencies.

The position emphasizes reliable customer service, adherence to safety standards, and the ability to work with minimal supervision in busy campus environments.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience in a custodial cleaning operation or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Custodial cleaning operation experience, including experience in use of custodial equipment such as buffers and floor machines, power washers, blowers, and vacuum cleaners.
• Knowledge of cleaning products and methods used to maintain different types of floor surfaces (tile, wood, cement, carpet).
• Knowledge of healthy and safe work practices, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and MSDS sheets.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lb. and move up to 100 lb.
• Ability to learn and practice security procedures related to unlocking/locking/securing of buildings and keys.
• Basic English skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), including ability to read documents, MSDS and warning labels in English.
• Ability to comprehend technical and safety documentation and follow oral and written instructions related to the use of position-related equipment, tools, and the safe use of chemicals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and convey information effectively in person, radio, etc.
• Ability to learn basic understanding/knowledge of University environment, mission, and operational needs.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in isolated areas, or in a building with heavy customer traffic.
• Basic skill to evaluate, trouble-shoot inquiries, establish priorities, follow plans and complete goals/objectives.
• Ability to maintain respectful, civil, professional, and customer-friendly behavior.
• Excellent customer service skills, which include ability to take customer requests in customer-friendly manner and follow through.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Experience in custodial services, preferably in a college/university housing, hotel or property management.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality customer service during each interaction with internal and external customers.
• Operate, maintain, and set up a full range of cleaning equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following items: vacuum cleaners, buffers, pressure-washing equipment, wet/dry vacuums, and floor-scrubbing and/or polishing machines.
• In offices, lounges, student common areas, event spaces, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, walkways, outside steps, terraces, balconies, trash, kitchenettes, and other designated areas: Dust, wipe, and clean moldings, windowsills, handrails, door tracks, radiators, furniture, inside windows on all floors and outside windows on ground floor levels, and other designated areas.
• Vacuum, sweep, shampoo, and spot-clean rugs, carpet, and other materials.
• Clean fireplaces, mantels, screens; laundry machines; kitchen appliances, light fixtures, ceiling fans, blinds, vent covers, and upholstered furniture. Clean, polish and wax floors and some furniture.
• Clean and disinfect urinals and toilets; wash basins/sinks; mirrors, frames and shelves; painted and/or glass walls, partitions and doors; windows; locker fronts; ceiling, light covers and vents. Replace paper products as needed.
• Pick up trash and debris. Clean and empty wastebaskets and other receptacles. Remove and transfer compost and recycling items to the central location.
• Clear minor drain stoppages.
• Report damage and maintenance repair needs.
• Perform occasional overtime and other custodial duties as requested by the supervisor.

Skills

Customer service

Safety procedures

Teamwork

English literacy

Physical fitness

Tools

Buffers

Floor machines

Power washers

Blowers

Vacuum cleaners

Job description

Job ID: 88889

Location: Main Campus-Berkeley

Full/Part Time: Full Time

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

The UC Berkeley Student Union is a department within the Division of Student Affairs and is the administrative & advising support arm of the ASUC (Associated Students of the University of California) Student Government. This complex serves all students, faculty and staff, and visitors seeking to create and experience an inclusive campus community, thereby enhancing the student experience at UC Berkeley. To this end, we provide quality services and programs that foster experiential learning opportunities and ensure a sustainable organization. With direction from the ASUC Student Union Board, we derive income from student fees, retail operations, vending, food service, and a variety of self-operated units such as the Art Studio and Events Services.

The Student Union Facilities Maintenance & Operations (SUFMO) manages and operates multiple facilities including the MLK Jr. Student Union, Eshleman Hall, Anthony Hall, and Anna Head Alumnae Hall. As a University amenity to the student experience, MLK Jr. Student Union and Eshleman Hall are required to provide building operations day and evenings. Our professional and student staff value providing high-quality customer service while fostering a safe, secure and operable environment for the campus community and visitors.

Position Summary

The Senior Custodian reports directly to the Custodial Supervisor and performs all duties assigned. The position is responsible for maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of specific areas using approved products, methods, and frequencies, which have been approved by the Custodial Supervisor.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is September 30, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

• 10% Provide quality customer service during each interaction with internal and external customers.
• 10% Operate, maintain, and set up a full range of cleaning equipment. This includes, but is not limited to, the following items: vacuum cleaners, buffers, pressure-washing equipment, wet/dry vacuums, and floor-scrubbing and/or polishing machines.
• 15% In offices, lounges, student common areas, event spaces, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, walkways, outside steps, terraces, balconies, trash, kitchenettes, and other designated areas: Dust, wipe, and clean moldings, windowsills, handrails, door tracks, radiators, furniture, inside windows on all floors and outside windows on ground floor levels, and other designated areas.
• 10% Vacuum, sweep, shampoo, and spot-clean rugs, carpet, and other materials.
• 10% Clean fireplaces, mantels, screens; laundry machines; kitchen appliances, light fixtures, ceiling fans, blinds, vent covers, and upholstered furniture. Clean, polish and wax floors and some furniture.
• 15% Clean and disinfect urinals and toilets; wash basins/sinks; mirrors, frames and shelves; painted and/or glass walls, partitions and doors; windows; locker fronts; ceiling, light covers and vents. Replace paper products as needed.
• 15% Pick up trash and debris. Clean and empty wastebaskets and other receptacles. Remove and transfer compost and recycling items to the central location.
• 5% Clear minor drain stoppages.
• 5% Report damage and maintenance repair needs.
• 5% Perform occasional overtime and other custodial duties as requested by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Six months of experience in a custodial cleaning operation or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Custodial cleaning operation experience, including experience in use of custodial equipment such as buffers and floor machines, power washers, blowers, and vacuum cleaners.
• Knowledge of cleaning products and methods used to maintain different types of floor surfaces (tile, wood, cement, carpet).
• Knowledge of healthy and safe work practices, personal protective equipment (PPEs), and MSDS sheets.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lb. and move up to 100 lb.
• Ability to learn and practice security procedures related to unlocking/locking/securing of buildings and keys.
• Basic English skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking), including ability to read documents, MSDS and warning labels in English.
• Ability to comprehend technical and safety documentation and follow oral and written instructions related to the use of position-related equipment, tools, and the safe use of chemicals.
• Ability to communicate clearly and convey information effectively in person, radio, etc.
• Ability to learn basic understanding/knowledge of University environment, mission, and operational needs.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in isolated areas, or in a building with heavy customer traffic.
• Basic skill to evaluate, trouble-shoot inquiries, establish priorities, follow plans and complete goals/objectives.
• Ability to maintain respectful, civil, professional, and customer-friendly behavior.
• Excellent customer service skills, which include ability to take customer requests in customer-friendly manner and follow through.
• Ability to work within a team environment.
• Experience in custodial services, preferably in a college/university housing, hotel or property management.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $27.16 (Step 2) - $29.39 (Step 6).

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Service Unit (SX) between the University of California and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/sx/index.html

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

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

Equal Employment Opportunity

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 status under state or federal law.