Swing Custodian

Oakland Zoo; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account

403b retirement plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Zoo Membership

Job summary

Oakland Zoo is seeking two full-time Swing Custodians to help keep the grounds and facilities clean, safe, and welcoming for staff and visitors. The role involves performing routine cleaning, waste handling, and light maintenance in indoor and outdoor areas.

Shifts run regularly 3pm–11pm, with a pay rate of $23.65 per hour. Candidates must be able to operate cleaning equipment, lift 50 lbs, and work weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and respectful interaction with stakeholders.
• Reliable and trustworthy, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Able to adapt to changing priorities and handle high-pressure intervals.
• Fosters a culture of mutual respect, collaboration and belonging.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm and alignment with Oakland Zoo’s mission and values.
• Understands wildlife conservation and welfare as part of daily actions.
• Commitment to sustainable practices within the role and department.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain areas including restrooms, offices, and common spaces by disinfecting, wiping and spot cleaning surfaces, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning mirrors and windows, leaf blowing, and restocking supplies.
• Handle waste and supplies by emptying trash and recycling bins, breaking down boxes, safely using cleaning chemicals, and loading, unloading, and distributing materials as needed.
• Support building operations by moving furniture, servicing high-traffic areas, responding quickly to special cleaning requests, and assisting with general utility work.
• Respond to radio calls for custodial-related issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain a safe working environment and report unsafe conditions to supervisors.
• Operate specialized floor-cleaning machines such as auto scrubber-high speed machine and other cleaning equipment to perform deep cleaning and maintain cleanliness in high-traffic areas throughout the zoo.
• Work closely with the department supervisor and team lead to receive daily briefings, understand cleaning assignments, and ensure all tasks are completed efficiently and according to established standards.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Skills

Communication

Dependability

Flexibility

Inclusive Culture

Passion

Wildlife Aware

Sustainability

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Full-time

Description

Note: There are 2 positions open. This role will be regularly scheduled to work from 3pm - 11pm.

Pay rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the pay rate for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $23.65 per hour. An offer at this rate will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with Oakland Zoo's compensation philosophy.

Position Summary

Swing Custodians play a vital role in making the Zoo a pleasant and enjoyable place for our staff and guests by carefully maintaining the Zoo Grounds and Facilities. They provide thoughtful and responsive customer service to internal (i.e., co-workers) and external (vendors, park visitors, contractors, etc.) guests while tending to their assigned areas.

Essential Job Duties

• Clean and maintain areas including restrooms, offices, and common spaces by disinfecting, wiping and spot cleaning surfaces, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning mirrors and windows, leaf blowing, and restocking supplies.
• Handle waste and supplies by emptying trash and recycling bins, breaking down boxes, safely using cleaning chemicals, and loading, unloading, and distributing materials as needed.
• Support building operations by moving furniture, servicing high-traffic areas, responding quickly to special cleaning requests, and assisting with general utility work.
• Respond to radio calls for custodial-related issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain a safe working environment and report unsafe conditions to supervisors.
• Operate specialized floor-cleaning machines such as auto scrubber-high speed machine and other cleaning equipment to perform deep cleaning and maintain cleanliness in high-traffic areas throughout the zoo.
• Work closely with the department supervisor and team lead to receive daily briefings, understand cleaning assignments, and ensure all tasks are completed efficiently and according to established standards.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Who you are:

• Able to safely operate powered equipment normally found in custodial operations.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to meet insurance carrier requirements.
• Able to use a computer or tablet to accurately record cleaning dates, times, and completed tasks, as well as read, write, and maintain cleaning logs and other required documentation as needed.
• Able to engage professionally with guests and coworkers.
• Able to work around members of the public.
• Able to follow cleaning schedules.
• Able to read and follow label instructions on chemicals/cleaning materials, operating instructions on powered equipment, and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Able to work weekends, evenings and holidays.

Bonus if you have:

• 2 or more years of custodial experience.
• Knowledge of total hard floor care and carpet care.
• Knowledge of general office maintenance.
• Certification to operate a boom lift.

Work Environment

- Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Work in indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions, including inclement outdoor weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind and rain.

Physical Considerations

- The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Able to bend and twist, lift and carry 50 lbs, stand, kneel, sit, walk, bend, stoop, and speak regularly and for 8-hour shifts.
• Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Able to operate powered equipment typically found in Custodial operations.

Knowledge/Skills/Qualities

- May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both in communicating and writing
• Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision.
• Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor.
• Inclusive Culture – fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times.
• Wildlife Aware – understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife.
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department.

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package which begins on 1st of the month following the date of hire. The package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, optional 403b retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.

Salary Description

$23.65/hour