Special Projects Housekeeper

George Mason University; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

George Mason University seeks a Special Projects Housekeeper to perform custodial, maintenance and groundskeeping duties within the campus housing system. Under supervision, you will handle semi-skilled tasks, transport supplies, perform minor repairs, and ensure a clean, safe living environment for residents.

Responsibilities include cleaning, trash removal, reporting needed repairs, and assisting with special projects. Valid driver's license and ability to work in all weather are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Related work experience
• Ability to read and follow cleaning instructions and schedules
• Ability to practice effective oral communication skills with students, faculty and staff
• Ability to read, understand and abide by all safety policies and procedures
• Ability to remain calm during stress periods
• Ability to lift alone 50 lbs., or with a lifting partner 250 lbs.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision
• Command of the English language is required
• Valid Driver License must meet GMU Vehicle Use Policy requirements

Responsibilities

• Performs general custodial and maintenance tasks, including operation of carpet extractor.
• Picks up and delivers supplies within Housing and Residence Life facilities.
• Makes minor repairs to student room furniture and installs window treatments.
• Loads and unloads furniture and materials; transports to designated locations.
• Notes and reports items needing repair or suspicious items to supervisor.
• Cleans common areas, hallways, stairwells, bathrooms, and vacuums/mops floors.
• Cleans laundry rooms and windows; handles trash removal.
• Cleans balconies, sidewalks, offices, classrooms; maintains cleanliness during building transitions.

Job description

Special Projects Housekeeper

Department: UL

Classification: Housekeeping & Apparel Wkr 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 01

Salary: Salary starting in the upper $30k's; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver's license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment. Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information Document ( English / Spanish) before applying.

About the Department

Housing & Residence Life (HRL) is a self-supporting auxiliary organization within the University Life unit of George Mason University. HRL serves a highly diverse population of approximately 6,200 students, the majority of which are undergraduates living in traditional, suite and apartment-style residence halls in three campuses within the vibrant Northern Virginia area. HRL employs over 170 full-time and graduate staff and over 200 undergraduate student staff. HRL is committed to provide a safe, well-maintained student-centered environment that is innovative and all-inclusive of a global community. It is dedicated to creating a home that enriches the experiences of our students, staff and faculty.

About the Position

The Special Projects Housekeeper, with supervision, performs general custodial and maintenance support as directed within the campus housing system comprised of over 6,200 beds within over forty residential facilities. This position reports directly to the Neighborhood Facilities Manager and indirectly to the Associate Director for Housekeeping and Special Projects.

Special Projects Housekeeping

• Performs a variety of semi-skilled manual duties requiring a basic understanding and knowledge of techniques, tools, equipment and safety precautions; includes operation of carpet extractor.
• Picks up and delivers supplies in Housing and Residence Life facilities, including both student and staff spaces.
• Makes minor repairs to student room furniture and installs window treatments. Picks-up and disposes of trash from residential buildings to designated trash collection location.
• Loads and unloads furniture and other materials; transports to designated locations utilizing various equipment as needed.
• During performance of duties, notes and reports items to supervisor requiring repair or any suspicious or unlawful items around the facility.

Custodial services

• Cleans, vacuums, and mops common areas, hallways, and stairwells in residential facilities.
• Cleans laundry rooms to include not but limited to, mopping floors and wiping down machines in residential facilities.
• Cleans balconies and sidewalks in and around residence halls.
• Cleans bathrooms, completes daily trash removal, moves and spot cleans furniture, shampoos carpets, and strips, waxes and buff floors.
• Cleans student rooms, during building transitions or student check-out, including furniture, windows, ledges, doors, and closets.
• Cleans select offices and classrooms to include desks, dusting, window ledges, window glass, furniture, doors, vacuuming, white boards and emptying trash.
• Communicates to Lead Housekeeper the need for additional cleaning supplies to maintain the appropriate level in respective housekeeping closets.

Groundskeeping

• Maintains cleanliness of residential area grounds, walks, and drives by removing trash, garbage, and other debris as needed.
• With direction, assists in the preparation of grounds for special events.
• Assesses grounds conditions for needed services and repairs and reports findings to the Special Projects Lead Houskeeper and Neighborhood Facilities Manager for follow-up.
• Performs de-icing and removal of snow from walks, driveways and parking lots for various Housing and Residence Life facilities; uses chemical de-icing solutions and both power and manually operated tools and equipment for snow removal according to proper operation and safety guidelines.
• Performs highly physical work outdoors on a consistent basis in all weather conditions, including very cold, icy, and/or snowy weather, and abides by all guidelines regarding use of appropriate cold weather gear in the performance of duties.

Departmental Duties and Related Tasks

• Considered an essential employee for Housing and Residence Life in regard to severe weather and response to after hour emergencies as necessary; subject to recall after hours in the event of campus emergencies, disasters or other special needs as directed by management.
• Required to work on a rotating basis to ensure evening and weekend coverage.
• Reports all matters of safety to the appropriate supervisor.
• Provides effective service to students and the broader campus community, establishing and maintaining posting working relationships within and external to Housing & Residence Life.
• Follows all State, University and departmental policies, procedures and practices.
• Promptly reports accidents on the job, preparing and submitting accident reports.
• Attends scheduled shifts and notifies supervisor of time-off requests with reasonable advanced notice, meets deadlines for completion of work, and is punctual.
• Attends and actively participates in training sessions and meetings; including department and UL divisional meetings, initiatives, and in-person events to stay connected with divisional and institutional priorities and to foster cross‑unit collaboration.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Related work experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• Ability to read and follow cleaning instructions and schedules.
• Ability to practice effective oral communication skills with students, faculty and staff.
• Ability to read, understand and abide by all safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to remain calm during stress periods.
• Ability to lift alone 50 lbs., or with a lifting partner 250 lbs.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision.
• Command of the English language is required.
• Valid Driver License: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous housekeeping experience.
• Prior University residential, hotel or multi- residential community housekeeping experience.
• Experience in use of mechanical cleaning equipment.
• Previous experience in carpet cleaning and removal.
• General knowledge of cleaning terms and safety procedures related to hazardous cleaning chemicals.
• Bilingual abilities (English/Spanish).

Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Special Projects Housekeeper at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Application Information

Posting Open Date: July 20, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 3, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes