Senior Custodian, International House (5116C) #88669 About Berkeley
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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 September 17, 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 $33.13 - $33.78 (stepped rates).
This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
This is a full-time, career position eligible for UC benefits.
