Supervisor - Custodian Services

Position Title:

Supervisor - Custodian Services

Job Group:

Merit

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of custodial experience or related building and facilities maintenance, including supervisory experience for a minimum of six months; supervision to include assigning daily work activities, inspecting and monitoring quality or work, and scheduling and coordinating work activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supervising custodial or facilities staff in a university or a large-scale residential setting

Experience conducting employee evaluations or performance reviews

Familiarity with scheduling or timekeeping systems

Experience coordinating supply orders or managing custodial inventory

Job Description:

Lead with Purpose. Support a Cleaner, Safer Campus.
Join the Department of Residence, a team that keeps Iowa State University running smoothly behind the scenes. As a Supervisor in Custodian Services, you’ll do more than manage cleaning schedules—you’ll play a key role in creating clean, safe, and welcoming spaces where students live and thrive. You’ll lead a reliable team, support their development, and take pride in seeing the direct results of your work every day.

What You’ll Do

• Supervise and support a team of custodians in their daily tasks

• Assign schedules and adjust workflows to keep operations on track

• Train new staff and help current team members grow

• Conduct inspections to ensure cleaning quality and safety standards

• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, linens, and equipment

• Coordinate furniture moves and deliveries for campus buildings

• Respond to service requests and help resolve custodial concerns

• Suggest process improvements and test new equipment or products

What You’ll Get

• Insurance benefits (medical, dental, and vision) starting on your first day—with timely enrollment

• Competitive retirement options with generous university contributions

• Paid time off, sick leave, and holiday pay – Enjoy Holidays OFF!

• Consistent, full-time schedule with daytime hours to support work-life balance

• Steady work that supports the campus community

Why Join Us?

This position is part of the Department of Residence, supporting the day-to-day operations of residence halls. We work hard to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes—taking pride in service, teamwork, and a job well done. Whether it’s preparing spaces for new residents, responding to building needs, or helping team members grow their skills, every day is an opportunity to make a visible difference.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

• Interviews and effectively recommends hiring, evaluates employee performance, and effectively recommends disciplinary actions, promotions, merit increases, and termination.

• Develops work schedules and directs the daily work routine of custodial employees.

• Trains and orients new employees; conducts formal training sessions to improve employee knowledge and skills.

• Schedules and approves vacation of employees; conducts formal training sessions to improve employee knowledge and skills.

• Inspects all areas of assignment and completes inspection reports.

• Evaluates, tests, and recommends new supplies and equipment.

• Coordinates relocation of furniture and equipment and movement to and from repair shops and storage.

• Oversees assembly and delivery of new equipment and removal of equipment from inventory.

• Maintains inventory of linen and record of linen laundering; maintains inventory of custodial supplies, and keeps and prepares other records and reports as directed.

• Assists in planning procedures and work methods and revises or recommends revisions to improve the efficiency of operations and services.

• Is responsible for reporting damage and other irregularities requiring attention or repair.

• Acts upon requests and complaints from departments related to custodial services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of standard cleaning techniques and characteristics of surfaces to be cleaned, and equipment and supplies required.

• Ability to move furniture and objects in preparation for cleaning; to load and unload trash receptacles; to operate, properly care for, and make minor repairs on power machinery; to use arm muscles in hand cleaning, mopping, and scrubbing for protracted periods of time; to work on ladders.