Special Instructions to Applicants: Applicants should attach a resume in PDF format to the Supporting Documents section of the application.

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, lectures 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 the way 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 Custodial Supervisor is responsible for supervising custodial staff to ensure University buildings and assets are clean, safe, secure, and well-maintained. The position oversees daily custodial operations within an assigned area of campus, ensuring high-quality, consistent completion of cleaning and routine maintenance tasks in accordance with University standards. The Supervisor performs administrative and supervisory functions that support the operational and strategic objectives of the Custodial Services Division, including staff scheduling, training, inspections, and performance monitoring.

This role coordinates personnel, supplies, and equipment; responds to service requests and special events; and implements processes that align custodial services with the University’s facilities standards and long-term goals.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong supervisory and organizational skills who ensures custodial teams consistently deliver clean, safe, and well-maintained University facilities in alignment with established standards. They excel at coordinating staff, schedules, and resources while supporting operational goals through effective training, inspections, and responsive service to campus needs.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. This role is classified as an essential position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions.

Work Schedule: Standard shifts (day/evening) with occasional weekend or event support. Rotating assignments across classrooms, offices, lounges, restrooms, and public spaces.

Hiring Range

This is a full-time position with benefits. Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime. In addition to joining a meaningful and mission-driven team, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, health insurance, tuition discounts, and access to campus facilities.

Minimum Requirements

• Associate Degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

• 3+ years of experience in custodial or facilities work, with a demonstrated ability to assign tasks, monitor performance, train staff, and maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety

• Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past 3 years.

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of custodial/janitorial principles, practices, equipment, tools, materials, and industry-standard safety procedures

• Proven ability to supervise, train, coach, and evaluate staff fairly and effectively, with a careful yet assertive approach to personnel matters and conflict resolution

• Strong commitment to customer-focused service, with excellent customer service skills and responsiveness to diverse needs

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to lead productive staff meetings and prepare clear, informative agendas

• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, diverse, and team-centered environment while fostering positive working relationships

• Highly organized with demonstrated ability to prioritize and assign work orders to increase productivity, reduce inefficiencies, and improve service delivery

• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, apply, and clearly explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

• Strong analytical and planning skills, with the ability to synthesize large amounts of information and develop appropriate responses

• Flexible, adaptable, and accountable, with sound judgment and the ability to manage changing priorities effectively

Preferences

• Minimum of 1 year of experience leading or supervising a custodial or facilities team, including assigning tasks, monitoring performance, training staff, and ensuring compliance with safety and cleanliness standards

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including processing time and attendance, scheduling work orders, and assisting with custodial budget management. Ability to track, report, and analyze operational data to support efficient facility operations

• Prior experience working in a college or university environment is preferred, with understanding of campus-specific standards, scheduling needs, and stakeholder coordination

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to coach and motivate team members, resolve conflicts, and collaborate with campus partners

• Familiarity with custodial equipment, supplies, and safety regulations

Essential Functions

• Supervise and lead custodial staff by providing daily work direction; planning, scheduling, and prioritizing assignments; ensuring equitable workload distribution; and maintaining adequate staffing, including assigning and managing overtime

• Perform personnel and labor-related functions, including participating in hiring and interviews; team development; performance management and evaluations; coaching and counseling; addressing attendance issues; supporting investigations and disciplinary processes; and administering vacation schedules and other personnel actions

• Foster a high-performing, engaged, and safety-focused workforce by training staff in proper custodial methods; ensuring compliance with safety programs; and providing uniforms, PPE, and properly maintained equipment

• Oversee operational workflows by managing work orders and service requests; coordinating custodial services with events, trades, contractors, building managers, and other campus partners; and supporting special projects as needed

• Monitor service quality and building conditions through daily inspections, customer feedback, and follow-up on deficiencies to ensure consistent adherence to University cleanliness and facilities standards

• Manage administrative and resource functions, including tracking time and attendance; submitting accurate payroll data; reconciling records; ordering supplies and inventory; and preparing reports and verifying operational data

• Support continuous improvement of custodial services by evaluating new cleaning methods, products, chemicals, and equipment, and recommending enhancements to align with University goals and best practices

• Provide oversight for the Auxiliary and Night Shift Operations team responsible for campus-wide logistics, advanced floor care, emergency response, refreshing high-traffic areas, performing light floor maintenance, completing special assignments, and supporting event setup and breakdown

• Other duties and projects as assigned

Additional Duties

• On-site support and response for major campus emergencies

Working Conditions

• This position requires regular physical activity consistent with custodial work. Duties include standing and walking for extended periods; bending, stooping, kneeling, and reaching; and using hands and arms to handle, grasp, and operate cleaning tools, equipment, and supplies

• The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds

• The role also requires the ability to communicate effectively, including speaking and hearing, and sufficient vision to safely perform custodial tasks, operate equipment, and identify safety hazards. May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment to include steel-toed shoes or non‑slip shoes, eye protection, and nitrile and leather gloves

• Must be able to walk, stand, and climb stairs for long durations of time during and outside of shifts

• Must be able to work under adverse weather conditions

• May oversee the Auxiliary and Night Shift Operations with the requirement of evening supervision

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 get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@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.

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The Custodial Supervisor is responsible for supervising custodial staff to ensure University buildings and assets are clean, safe, secure, and well-maintained. The position oversees daily custodial operations within an assigned area of campus, ensuring high-quality, consistent completion of cleaning and routine maintenance tasks in accordance with University standards. The Supervisor performs administrative and supervisory functions that support the operational and strategic objectives of the Custodial Services Division, including staff scheduling, training, inspections, and performance monitoring. This role coordinates personnel, supplies, and equipment; responds to service requests and special events; and implements processes that align custodial services with the University’s facilities standards and long-term goals.