Lead Custodian , Berkeley Dining

Job Details

Job

Location:

Main Campus-Berkeley

Full/Part Time:
Full Time

First Review Date: 01/22/2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the First Review Date.

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities.

Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

In the Division of Student Affairs and under the Residential Student Services Programs portfolio, Berkeley Dining is a self-operated dining program focused on culinary excellence, social responsibility and supporting the living/learning environment of our customers. With more than 12,000 meal plan holders, Berkeley Dining serves over 5 million meals per year in 14 facilities with a combination of residential "all you care to eat" dining, retail "a la carte" dining, training table, early childhood meal production and catering.

Berkeley Dining services the campus seven days per week, seventeen hours per day employing 450 full and part time staff and approximately 400 Cal student workers across multiple locations.

Reports to Food Service Manager. Direct the work of custodians, food service, and student staff to ensure the overall appearance, sanitation and safety of dining operations are maintained. Perform tasks such as sort and dispose discarded items; clean, sweep, mop, buff, and vacuum dining facilities; wash and put away food service items; operate dish room equipment; set up furniture; check/resupply milk and soda machines.

Follow policies, rules, and regulations of the University and the department. Ensure that health and safety guidelines are practiced. Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Work with manager to plan daily and weekly work assignments.
• Provide leadership, direct, and train custodians, food service, and student staff to properly carry out assignments, safe use of products and equipment.
• Monitor their performance, identify training needs, and work with manager to provide training.
• Communicate concerns and recommend solutions to management (e.g. staffing, equipment, cleaning products, etc.).
• With manager: identify, plan, and implement special cleaning projects; inventory, organize, and order supplies and equipment.
• Maintain and secure cleaning equipment in safe working order and report necessary repairs.
• May secure unit when closing in evening in manager's absence.
• Provide oversight and mentoring of food service workers and student staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• For all dining areas: break down cardboard boxes and correctly sort/dispose of trash, compost, recyclable and other products.
• Clean and maintain supplies in all dining service bathrooms.
• Clean-power washing when appropriate-walls, baseboards, mats, drains and vents, glass windows and doors, entryways, service lines, refrigerators, carts, trayveyor, dish room, trash containers, trash collection areas, entrance, loading dock and perimeter.
• Spot clean carpets. Sweep, strip, mop, buff, wax, and vacuum all floors in all facilities associated with Berkeley Dining.
• Clean pots, pans, utensils and steam jacketed kettles; put clean items away.
• Operate, clean, and maintain pot washing equipment, floor scrubber, buffer, water vacuum, vacuum cleaner, dish machine, portable steam cleaner, mops and brooms.
• Assist in cleaning all food service equipment on a regular basis.
• Work and direct staff in dish room and pot-washing areas.
• Safely use cleaning chemicals.

• Provide customer service during meal periods to include the following:
• Clean up spills, keep floors clear of debris, and remove trash.
• Set-up, prepare, replenish, distribute beverages, ice and supplies in designated areas to ensure availability in a timely…