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, 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 — which stands for Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Custodian II performs advanced custodial and restorative cleaning to meet service-level expectations and maintain safe, sanitary, and well-maintained facilities across assigned campus areas. Responsibilities include routine cleaning tasks such as dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, trash removal, window and surface cleaning, and furniture care.

This role also performs specialized floor and carpet maintenance, including stripping, scrubbing, buffing, sealing, waxing, finish application, and carpet extraction. The Custodian II operates custodial equipment, supports project-based assignments, responds to emergency cleaning needs, and removes heavy debris as required.

Additionally, the position documents daily services and completes cleaning checklists while responding to custodial-related customer requests to ensure cleanliness standards are consistently maintained.

The ideal candidate for Custodian II is an experienced custodial professional with strong technical expertise in restorative cleaning, floor care, and advanced equipment operation. They are adaptable, safety-focused, and able to support project cycles and emergency response needs. This individual demonstrates initiative, provides informal guidance to Custodian I staff, and consistently upholds APPA and OSHA standards. They bring a solutions-oriented mindset, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining safe, sanitary, and high-quality campus facilities through dependable performance and responsive customer service.

Workplace Requirements

This is an on-campus, on-site position requiring all duties to be performed in person. Classified as essential on campus, the Custodian II may be called to duty during inclement weather, campus closures, or other emergencies. Night and weekend work may also be required. Work arrangements are subject to change per Rice policy 440.

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

• No formal education required

• Two years of custodial experience, including floor care and restorative cleaning

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to operate advanced custodial equipment, such as carpet-extracting and high-pressure washing equipment

• 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 part of a team

• Must be able to record working hours in the Rice IO system and work task system as needed

Preferences

• High school diploma or equivalent

• Experience mentoring or training custodial staff

• Knowledge of OSHA custodial safety practices

• Familiarity with APPA custodial standards and project cycle operations

Essential Functions

• Execute advanced restorative cleaning techniques, including carpet extraction, steam cleaning, and grout restoration

• Perform floor care and refinishing tasks such as scrubbing, stripping, sealing, finishing, and burnishing

• Operate advanced custodial equipment safely and effectively, including burnishers, orbital scrubbers, and carpet extractors

• Participate in scheduled project cycles (e.g., summer, winter, academic breaks) to maintain APPA custodial standards

• Drive Rice-owned vehicles to transport equipment, supplies, and furniture as needed

• Support major moves, staging, and emergency cleaning projects, including flood response and spill cleanup

• Provide informal guidance or demonstrations at the request of leadership

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and Rice University safety standards

• Assist with inventory management, supply replenishment, and administrative tasks as assigned

• Support university operations during events, emergencies, or periods of high demand

• Manage building access

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Additional Duties

• On-site support and response for major campus emergencies

• When short-staffed, custodial staff may be required to clean multiple buildings throughout the workday as part of daily assignments

• Identifies building repairs and reports them following university protocol

Working Conditions

Physical Demands: This is a heavy-duty role requiring the ability to exert up to 70 lbs. of force occasionally, up to 50 lbs. frequently, and up to 20 lbs. constantly. Duties involve walking or standing up to 8 hours per day, operating heavy equipment, driving a vehicle, and performing tasks that require bending, crouching, kneeling, lifting, reaching, climbing, balancing, and good vision and coordination.

Work Environment and Hazards: Work is primarily indoors across offices, classrooms, laboratories, athletic facilities, and covered walkways. Exposure to temperature extremes may occur in non–climate-controlled areas. Tasks may involve heights (ladders or scaffolding), wet surfaces, and possible exposure to toxic or 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 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 Custodian II performs advanced custodial and restorative cleaning to meet service-level expectations and maintain safe, sanitary, and well-maintained facilities across assigned campus areas. Responsibilities include routine cleaning tasks such as dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, restroom sanitation, trash removal, window and surface cleaning, and furniture care.