Lead Custodian

Job Description

Job Summary

The position will have one of three different work schedules: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, Thursday-Monday 8:00am-4:30pm or Saturday-Wednesday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director for Custodial Operations, the Lead Custodian works independently to mentor, provide guidance, train and instruct a group of custodians in proper use of equipment, supply materials, chemicals, and accepted custodial techniques. The incumbent performs all duties in a specifically assigned work area and is responsible for performing duties in other work areas as needed. Work areas are located within residential facilities and/or administrative offices and include the Classics residence halls, the Campus Village residential facilities and/or the trash/recycling rooms, Spartan Village on the Paseo, and the International House. Incumbent is responsible for maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of the work areas assigned and assisting Custodians in the performance of their duties. The Lead Custodian is required to use safe, approved methods and frequencies approved by University Housing Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate Residential Facilities Trash and Recycling Needs
• Provides daily custodial service during summer season to ensure quick turnaround of facilities as needed
• Maintain Appearance and Cleanliness of Residential Facilities
• Motorized Equipment Usage
• Perform Housekeeping Duties
• Clean Common Area Bathrooms
• Provides training in use of equipment, supplies and accepted custodial practices and techniques, and the safe use of equipment and materials
• Responsible for coordinating the major aspects of the University Housing recycling/trash program
• Assigns, review and inspect the work of assigned staff, including completing inspections forms
• Assists in maintaining employee time records and reporting absences and providing input to employee evaluations
• Plans, schedules and coordinates personnel and work assignments using computer or manual methods
• Uses computer for communications, research of tools and supplies, documentation of job-specific details and creation of reports
• Mentors and provides guidance to custodians for coordination of responsibilities, proper techniques and proper completion of work
• Serves on-call emergencies when needed

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to lead the work of others including the ability to provide on-the-job training, and feedback on work performance.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the methods, materials, chemicals, and equipment used in custodial work.
• Prior knowledge of custodial safety and sanitation.
• Measures and methods appropriate to custodial operations.
• Prior demonstrated ability to operate alone and within a team environment communicating with supervision personnel.
• Ability to work effectively with frequent interruptions and coordinating multiple tasks at one time; maintain cooperative working relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, coworkers, and students; work alone as well as with other staff when assigned to do so; handle a high degree of customer contact
• Ability to analyze situations and take effective action; read and write at a level appropriate to the duties to the position; exercise care and follow instructions when using janitorial supplies or equipment as well as follow simple oral and written instructions; perform complex tasks involving independent judgment, accuracy and speed.
• Ability to multi-task to support the “One Stop Shop” model of Higher Education Customer Service and coordinate deadlines.
• Ability to use different types of custodial equipment including vacuum, high speed floor buffing machine, regular floor buffer, and standard carpet extractor, portable upholstery cleaner and wet/dry vacuum, and riding vacuum/sweeper machines.
• Ability to work in 3 story low-rise double corridor residence halls without elevators, a 12-story high-rise tower residence hall with elevators, a 7-story mid-rise residential suite building with elevator, a 15-story high- rise residential apartment complex with elevator and an 8-story high-rise staff and faculty residential apartment complex with elevators located on campus.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy equipment, trash and recycle up to 45 pounds for up to 4 hours; move objects up to 50 pounds if necessary; walk and stand up to 7 hours; work both inside and outside of buildings.
• Ability to work at a computer terminal and desk for long periods on projects; understand, interpret and apply policies and regulations in specific situations; observe rules, regulations and expectations to ensure a safe working environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees and external agencies.
• Ability to work alternative work schedules with advanced notice; including weekends and holidays.
• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to one to two years of related custodial experience and providing on-the-job training and leadership to others.
• Requires the possession of a valid California Driver's License for the operation of any vehicle or equipment required for position and in any emergency situation.
• Must participate in all OSHA required physicals and examinations.

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience as a custodian or lead custodian.
• Training experience.
• Experience working in a residential or university environment.
• Experience working with custodial cleaning equipment.
• Basic computer skills and knowledge.

Compensation

Classification: Lead Custodian
Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,050/month - $4,298/month (Step 7 - Step 10)
CSU Salary Range: $3,596/month - $5,035/month (Step 1 - Step 20)

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: October 2, 2026 through October 18, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Work Schedule

Selected candidates will be placed in one of the following shifts based on operational needs.

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Thursday - Monday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Saturday - Wednesday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Oct 02 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: