Senior Custodian, International House (5116C) #89098

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Senior Custodian responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment across Residential and Program spaces. The role includes training junior staff, coordinating with the Custodial Lead, and ensuring adherence to safety standards and campus policies.

Responsibilities cover routine cleaning of residential, administrative, and common areas, use of commercial equipment, and support for move-in/move-out periods while prioritizing

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• Six months of custodial cleaning experience or equivalent training.
• Knowledge of cleaning products and methods for different floor types.
• Knowledge of healthy and safe work practices and PPE.
• Ability to lift and move up to 30 lb occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Sweep and mop stairs, hallways, and outside areas.
• Dust, clean, wax, and polish various furnishings and fixtures.
• Empty wastebaskets and recycling containers.
• Disinfect restrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms and replenish supplies.
• Wash doors, glass, mirrors, and windows at ground level.
• Operate and maintain custodial equipment and perform flooring tasks.
• Assist with training new team members and supervise a small group.
• Setup and dismantle equipment for functions.
• Follow safety procedures and University policies; use PPE.

Skills

English literacy

Custodial experience

Cleaning knowledge

PPE safety

Physical stamina

Job description

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.

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 International House is a self-supporting residential and program center for up to 600 international and United States students and scholars from the Berkeley campus. Its mission is to foster intercultural understanding and respect among people throughout the world across cultural, economic, and racial lines. The building, constructed in 1929, is approximately 189,000 square feet and operates year-round. The building has 8 floors, 4 elevators, 490 rooms/offices, 600 plumbing fixtures, 3 guestrooms, a dining room and dining facility serving approximately 400,000 meals annually, and a café.

Position Summary

The Senior Custodian assists with training for the custodial team and communicates safety and operational concerns to the Unit Safety Committee Representatives. This position collaborates with the manager and the Custodial Lead to conduct safety training in the unit. The Senior Custodian is responsible for maintaining a clean, safe, sanitary, and welcoming environment throughout International House by performing a full range of custodial, floor-care, and facility-support services.

This position independently performs routine and specialized cleaning of residential, administrative, and common areas; operates and maintains commercial custodial equipment; and completes custodial projects to ensure facilities meet established cleanliness and safety standards. The Senior Custodian performs comprehensive cleaning and sanitization of restrooms, resident rooms, offices, hallways, stairwells, lounges, and other assigned spaces, including floor care, carpet maintenance, window cleaning, waste removal, supply replenishment, and minor maintenance support.

Additionally, the Senior Custodian assists with student room turnover during move-in and move-out periods, reports facility maintenance needs, and safely moves custodial equipment and materials as required. Working with minimal supervision, the Senior Custodian prioritizes daily assignments, responds to changing operational needs, and may provide coverage during the absence of other custodial staff to ensure uninterrupted services. The Senior Custodian maintains a professional, customer-service-oriented approach when communicating with supervisors, coworkers, residents, and guests. This position safely operates a variety of commercial cleaning equipment, follows established security and building access procedures, complies with all applicable safety regulations and University policies, and ensures a safe workplace by properly using personal protective equipment (PPE) and promptly reporting unsafe conditions.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is October 8, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

• Sweep and mop stairs, hallways, and outside areas.
• Dust, clean, wax, and/or polish furniture, woodwork, light fixtures, venetian blinds, radiators, grills, ducts, blackboards, filing cabinets, and other designated areas of equipment.
• Empties wastebaskets and recycling containers.
• Mop, clean, and disinfect restrooms, shower rooms, and locker rooms, and replenish supplies.
• Wash doors, patrician glass, mirrors, showcases, glass panels, inside windows, and outside windows at ground level.
• Polish metal fixtures, empty and clean ashtrays, wastebaskets, and other receptacles.
• Unclog minor drain stoppages.
• Vacuum rugs, draperies, upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, or other designated materials.
• Operates floor buffers, shampoo machine, wet/dry vacuums, waxers, floor scrubbing and/or polishing machines during stripping, waxing, buffing, and/or other related cleaning operations.
• Have security responsibility for one or more assigned areas.
• Assist in the setting up and dismantling of special equipment at functions.
• Assist with training new team members, train custodians on effective task execution, and safe equipment use.
• Load and/or unload large trash receptacles.
• Perform specialized cleaning in isolation and terminal areas as required.
• Act as a work leader for a small group of Custodians (usually less than 5).

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to read, write, and follow oral and written instructions in English.
• At least six months of experience in a custodial cleaning operation or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 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 and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 30 lb

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 $26.66 – $33.78 (stepped rates). The full range for this classification is $26.66 – $35.16.

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time, 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.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

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.