Building Services Manager

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world‑class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission‑driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you’re working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

The Manager of Building Services is responsible for the daily oversight of custodial operations, mailroom services, employee office space support, and rental event set‑up and tear‑down. With direct supervision of 3 team members and management oversight of a team of 25 staff, this role also coordinates all landscape and grounds maintenance activities—including the Academy’s 2.5‑acre living roof—handled by an external vendor.

The Manager ensures all public and staff areas are clean, safe, and well‑maintained, and that key operational services such as event setups, internal space moves, and mail distribution are executed efficiently. This position also supports volunteer activities associated with the living roof and contributes to a positive, mission‑aligned visitor and staff experience.

This position plays a critical role in supporting the Academy’s public‑facing mission and sustainability goals through green cleaning practices, native landscape stewardship, and the implementation of waste reduction strategies. The Manager works collaboratively across departments to ensure seamless service delivery aligned with institutional values and priorities.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California.

• Manage daily custodial operations, utilizing sustainable, efficient, and cost‑effective practices.
• Direct supervision of a Custodial Supervisor and management oversight of a team of approximately 22 custodial staff.
• Ensure cleanliness and sanitation standards are met across public, exhibit, and back‑of‑house areas.
• Develop and implement cleaning schedules, supply inventory systems, and staffing plans.
• Coordinate special cleaning projects and exhibit turnovers in collaboration with internal departments.
• Support the Academy’s environmental goals by promoting green cleaning practices, reducing waste, and researching and suggesting new and updated operational practices.

• Manages the Academy’s Landscape Supervisor.
• Serve as the primary Academy contact for the contracted landscape maintenance provider, which manages all day‑to‑day landscape and living roof maintenance.
• Oversee the vendor’s work on all exterior landscaped areas, including the living roof, ensuring quality, schedule adherence, and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Conduct site inspections and coordinate timely resolution of issues.
• Collaborate with multiple Academy teams to support biodiversity, native planting, new exhibits, and environmental initiatives.
• Support and coordinate volunteer activities related to the living roof and grounds.

• Supervise two mailroom staff members responsible for internal and external mail/package…