University Custodial Services Manager - Ohio University

Job Description:

The Custodial Services Manager will be responsible for supervising and managing comprehensive custodial maintenance operations for large complex of academic, residential, research, and teaching buildings on campus. Provides highly effective leadership and training of 25 or more custodians in unionized work environment. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with staff and departments in a fast-paced service environment. Manages an extensive equipment & supply inventory. Administers to principles and language of the AFSCME contract and department work rules. Must be available 24/7 for facilities emergencies. The department strives to maintain a clean, attractive, healthy, and safe environment for all faculty staff, and students.


The Custodial Services Manager reports to the Director of Facilities Management. Responsibilities of the position include:

• Ensures productivity of staff with broad discretion on evaluating work areas for effectiveness and efficiency. Works with other custodial services managers to effect changes.

• Accountable for evaluating, training, coaching, mentoring and technical expertise of all custodial employees.

• Complies with all laws, University policies and procedures, safety regulations and the Collective Bargaining agreement.

• Represents Facilities Management and Safety’s interests in building and utility infrastructure matters with senior administrators, faculty, union officials, governmental officials, regulators, contractors, architects, engineers, project managers, energy purveyors and others.

• Assists in work loading of campus facilities and development of departmental policies and procedures;

• Assist and cooperate/team with other members of the Facilities Management and the University as needed;

• Effectively manage internal and external communications with other members of Facilities Management, customers, vendors, and technicians.

• Perform other duties as assigned by higher level management and serves as duty officer/technical support on a scheduled basis to handle after hour emergency situations.

• Inspects facilities and takes customer complaints, and assesses other requests for service with goal of providing quality customer service campus-wide.

• Display leadership that results in teamwork, customer focus, innovation, and continuous process improvement within their organization.





Specific duties include:





• Directs, plans, assigns, evaluates, and corrects the work performance of 25 or more custodians who maintain 10-15 campus academic, residential, and administrative buildings. Supervises up to 4 Lead Custodians/Lead Coordinators/Team Leaders in supporting the complex of staff and buildings.

• Supervisory responsibilities include establishing objectives, strategies, and action plans in organizing time and staff, matching skills with assignments and leading staff through changing environments, finding the right person to work on the right problem. Provide timely and accurate information to all staff in a respectful manner, fully supporting the critical nature of effective and honest feedback in a high-performance workforce.

• Regularly inspects all assigned facilities and completes reports in support of the Department’s Quality Assurance Program. Manages and maintains a high level of quality regarding all custodial services that the department provides. Reports maintenance issues to the appropriate manager within Facilities Management and Safety. Proactively interfaces with Ohio University staff at all levels who work in the buildings, to solicit their feedback regarding the services provided. Works closely with building coordinators regarding maintenance issues.

• Trains, develops, and comprehensively supports staff. Schedules formal custodial training with the department’s Training Manager for all employees including new employee training, remedial training and right-to-know classes. Authorizes other non-department Ohio University training classes. Interviews and makes hiring decisions regarding new employees and promoting existing employees. Administers employee/labor relations matters including probationary reviews, performance appraisals, formal discipline (including discharge), and hearing grievances at Step I of the grievance procedure for labor related matters. Follows the AFSCME contract in administering to all labor related matters, proactively works to diffuse potential conflict before it begins.

• Manages a large inventory of supplies and equipment for all assigned buildings and staff. Interfaces with e-Shop and procurement in ordering and receiving new supplies as needed. Manages lamping and re-lamping of all lighting fixtures within the complex. Addresses a variety of lamping issues and problems throughout the buildings. Facilitates Ohio University’s recycling and trash removal processes in delegating responsibility to the custodial staff. Interfaces regularly and troubleshoots related problems with recycling operations regarding both processes.

• Responsible for on-the-job safety of all employees, and enforces Department and University health and safety policies. Interfaces with Environmental Health and Safety regarding issues that affect health and well-being of our custodians, and the Ohio University community. Manages problems including the clean-up of bodily fluids. Enforces and ensures that the Departments rules governing the procedure for clean-up of bodily fluids and other hazards (e.g. broken glass, toxic chemicals, syringes) are strictly adhered to.

Facilitates a large variety of special projects and responds to emergencies at the University including floods and fire clean-ups. Facilitates snow removal. Provides custodial maintenance for new and renovated facilities. Reviews, assigns, and manages work within CMMS system in accordance with department processes and guidance. Provides expert consultation to campus departments regarding special maintenance needs.

• Manages special events for the department including set ups and special needs for, Commencement, Alumni Weekend, concerts, conferences, and other functions. Manages a variety of special projects and assignments as directed. Take a leadership role during university events such as hall opening and closing, housing, reunions, final exams, Trustee Meetings, conferences, etc. Other duties as assigned.





Successful candidate must possess the following attributes/skills:





• Exceptional management and supervisory skills with substantial experience in effectively supervising employees preferably in a custodial maintenance operation.

• Understanding of custodial equipment.

• Aptitude and proven ability to effectively manage large groups of employees in a highly diverse environment.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills (both written and verbal).

• Work under pressure managing multiple priorities.

• Individual should be knowledgeable in the use of Microsoft Office suite, or similar, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Additionally, with training and familiarization, should be able to access and use web and cloud based software for other specialty applications.


All Facilities Management and Safety employees are accountable for supporting the Ohio University’s values of community, character, civility, citizenship and integrity; and commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.



Minimum Qualifications:



+ Associate’s degree, or vocational or technical school degree.



+ Minimum of 3 years’ work related experience



+ Minimum of 3 years’ supervisory or managerial responsibilities.









**An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.






Preferred Qualifications:



+ Bachelor’s degree














Planning Unit: Vice President for Finance & Administration


Department: Custodial Services - Administration


Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position: Ervin Boyd (boyde@ohio.edu)


Employment Type: full-time regular


Advertised Salary:

Benefits: The hiring range for this position is $45,837 – $62,459. The target salary range is $45,837 – $51,377 commensurate with the selected candidate’s education and experience while considering internal equity.


RELOCATION allowance or SIGN -ON BONUS of up to 10% of the base salary may also be available!


Ohio University is proud to offer a robust healthcare plan that includes maternity care, transgender care, counseling and mental healthcare, prescription coverage, vision, dental, orthodontia care, and more. Our robust benefits package also includes paid holidays, sick time, personal time, a tuition waiver up to 100% for self and dependents, an excellent retirement plan with up to a 14% employer contribution, a 12-week parental leave program, adoption reimbursement, flextime and flexplace policies, an employee assistance program, access to professional development programs, and additional employee resources. Additional information is available at https://www.ohio.edu/hr/benefits.