Custodian II

Overview

Join Our Talent Pipeline for Upcoming Custodial Roles. This posting is a pre-application opportunities notice to introduce yourself to the team and connect when Custodian II openings become available in the near future.

This is not an application yet but an invitation to our talent network. We are seeking experienced custodial professionals with strong technical expertise in restorative cleaning, floor care, and advanced equipment operation.

Positions are anticipated to be posted the last week of February and/or the first week of March.

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities. Rice is known for a favorable student-to-faculty ratio and a strong campus culture. The values guided by our name — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence — shape our decisions and behaviors.

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. The position documents daily services and completes cleaning checklists, and responds to custodial-related customer requests to maintain cleanliness standards.

The ideal candidate 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 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.

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.

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

Hourly rate commensurate with experience. This position is non-exempt under the FLSA and eligible for overtime pay.

• No formal education required
• Two years of custodial experience, including floor care and restorative cleaning
• 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

• 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 a team with others
• Must be able to record working hours in Rice iO system and work task system, as needed

• 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

• 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,…