Special Instructions to Applicants: In PDF form, applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. A cover letter is welcomed but not required.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in how we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Custodian II in addition to performing the functions of a Custodian I (cleaning, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and removing trash from restrooms, and buildings, as well as cleaning windows, cleaning and polishing furniture, chalkboards, and walls), will perform the following duties:  Strip, scrub, buff, seal, wax and apply finishes to floors and shampoo and extract carpets and remove heavy trash.  The Custodian II will document services on a daily basis and customize with customers on a monthly basis to obtain feedback and schedule work.  This position has no supervisory duties.

The ideal candidate will have cleaning and floor work experience at a higher education campus or equivalent high-quality setting, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in person on the campus of Rice University from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. There is a possibility of overtime weekly, and overtime may be mandatory based on the circumstances or emergencies. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. 

This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to carry out its vital functions effectively.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary is $15.72 an hour. Non-exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements: 

2+years of experience in cleaning and maintenance, along with proficiency in floor care (stripping, scrubbing, buffing, sealing, waxing), and carpet cleaning Skills: Must be able to speak, read, and write basic English Must be proficient in the use of large commercial buffers Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team with other

Preferences

HS Diploma or equivalent. Ability to complete Rice’s Basic Cleanology within the first six months of employment and Certified Cleanology within two years of employment or any other equivalent training system. Ability to use carpet extracting and high-pressure washing equipment.

Essential Functions

Strips, scrubs, buffs floors Seals, waxes, and applies finishes Shampoos and extracts carpets Pressure washes surfaces Removes heavy trash Performs special assignments in relation to custodial services - Washes exterior windows, cloisters, and entrances Cleans showers, restroom floors, lavatories, fixtures, kitchenettes, public spaces, offices, laboratories, etc. Replenishes paper supplies Vacuums, sweeps, dusts and mops floors Clean and polish furniture, glass, doors, mirrors, walls, windows and other surfaces Removes trash Identifies and reports needed repairs Assists other custodians with work as needed Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

When short of staff, as part of the daily cleaning assignments, the custodial staff will be required to clean multiple buildings throughout the workday. Quarterly cleaning inspections are part of the essential functions of the custodial staff. Moves furniture and equipment to facilitate cleaning or set up for special events when needed    Meets with customers for feedback on work performed  Documents work performed on a work order, including tasks done and hours charged  May lock and unlock buildings as required

Working Conditions

This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated, and work.

Physical Demands:  HEAVY - Exert up to 70 lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 50 lbs of force frequently and/or up to 20 lbs of force constantly to move objects. Requires walking or standing up to 4 hours per day and multi-limb coordination to operate heavy equipment and drive a vehicle.  Other physical requirements of the job include the ability to bend/crouch/or kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance.

Work Environment: Primarily an indoor work environment in a variety of university settings, which may include offices, laboratories, classrooms, athletic facilities, covered walkways, etc. May be exposed to temperature and weather extremes when working under covered walkways or in facilities that are not climate-controlled.  

Work Hazards: Some work may occur at heightened elevations on ladders or scaffolding, or in wet areas. Possible exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits 

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.