Technical Cleaner

California Institute of Technology; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits based on eligibility

Job summary

California Institute of Technology is seeking a Technical Cleaner to maintain cleanroom standards at the LIGO Laboratory in Richland, WA. The role involves working under supervision to ensure maintenance and compliance with cleanroom protocols. Responsibilities include maintaining various cleanroom areas, conducting routine cleaning, and supporting team functions.

The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of cleaning experience and excellent communication skills. The position offers a fulltime contract with benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of related work experience in facilities cleaning.
• Proficiency with both written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanroom conditions and standards in various labs.
• Operate lifts for cleaning components in cleanroom areas.
• Vacuum and mop floors, maintain kitchen and restrooms.
• Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Safety compliance

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Mobile lift

Scissor lift

Job description

Technical Cleaner – Caltech

Job Category: Fulltime Regular

Exempt Overtime Eligible: Overtime Eligible

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Technical Cleaner to join its team. This position is located in Richland, WA. LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA, and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, education, and public outreach.

The successful candidate will be a member of the Facilities Group. This position will be a part of the maintenance staff and report to the Facilities Team Lead. The maintenance staff is responsible for all of the day-to-day maintenance and repair of the entire Observatory and support buildings. This position requires an understanding of and compliance with cleanroom protocols and laser safety procedures. The successful candidate will work under general supervision and will be required to use a variety of tools and techniques of facilities maintenance services to work on semi‑routine assignments where good judgment is required to properly maintain the LIGO buildings and site and ensure that they are in proper working order and safe.

Essential Job Duties

• Applies basic skills in maintaining clean room conditions and selects from standard procedures, techniques, tools, materials, and equipment appropriate to accomplish tasks. Responsible for clean room standards in the Electronics Lab, Mechanical Lab, Vacuum Lab and Vacuum Equipment Areas. This requires special care to ensure the safety of highly technical equipment. In particular, the candidate must be extremely careful working around vacuum components, optics tables, electronic test and control equipment, and computing equipment.
• Will be required to use standard techniques and tools to perform routine support functions.
• Interact daily and professionally with functional peer group and supervisors.
• Maintain several cleanrooms around the site and several Class 100 cleanroom areas. This requires working in cleanroom conditions, wearing mask and garb and possible laser glasses.
• Operate a mobile lift and scissor lift as required to access and clean some components of the cleanrooms and cleanroom areas.
• Provide cleanroom support during vacuum chamber entries.
• Will be required to collect, handle, and properly dispose of contaminated and sometimes flammable trash.
• Responsible for collecting dirty garb at all site garbing areas and keeping these areas stocked with clean garb.
• Responsible for sorting and making ready for shipping, dirty garb to be sent to the cleaners.
• Vacuum and mop floors, hallways, and offices. Maintain kitchen and restrooms. Replenish supplies as needed. Replace incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes in buildings, as necessary.
• Under the direction of the Facilities Team Lead, will be required to fill in for shipping and receiving personnel when needed to help with the receiving, logging, sorting, and distributing received packages.
• Will be needed to escort contractors around site as they perform contractual duties like fire system testing or pest control measures for facilities including, mice removal, treatments for bug infestation in building, snake removal.
• Responsible for working in a team environment and being able to communicate with people who have a broad spectrum of backgrounds, skills, and educational preparation.
• Applies basic knowledge of policies and practices to assignments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• The candidate must have a minimum of High School Diploma or equivalent experience.
• Must have at least 1 year of related work experience facilities cleaning.
• Proficiency with communication skills, written and verbal, and be able to communicate with people who have a broad range of backgrounds and skills.
• Must have a valid driver's license at the time of employment and be able to maintain it throughout the course of employment.
• Must have the ability to lift 20 pounds of office supplies and equipment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of cleanroom and contamination control procedures.
• Working knowledge with standard office computing applications (e.g., Outlook and web applications).
• General knowledge in planning and scheduling work task.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.