Title: Custodial Supervisor
Location: Cambridge, MA – 02138 - 100% onsite
Duration: 3 Months with high possibility of extension
Overnight supervisor, 10:00PM - 6:30AM
Job Summary
Energy & Facilities (E&F) operates and manages Harvard’s energy supplies, district energy plants, and utility infrastructures on the Cambridge/Allston campuses, as well as 24/7 facilities -related call, alarm monitoring and dispatch center. E&F provides a broad portfolio of labor-based services, including building maintenance, landscaping and custodial to a large portion of the University, as well as engineering, technical, and sustainability services. Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) a department within E&F, offers primary building maintenance, landscape, fire safety, custodial and event support services to Harvard schools and departments on a fee-for- service basis. All services are provided in strict accordance with regulatory requirements and customer-determined standards.
Campus Services Mission Statement: To advance Harvard University’s mission of teaching and research, we partner to provide stewardship, strategies, and services that create exceptional community experiences. The Custodial Supervisor is guided at all times by the mission, vision, and principles of Campus Services and instills a commitment to these values among all team members. The Custodial Supervisor fosters a welcoming, supportive, and diverse workforce and environment
Position Description
As part of the Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) group in Energy and Facilities, Campus Services, this position is responsible for the daily supervision of custodial services operations in an assigned area(s), including all routine and specialty work. The FMO supervisor works closely with customer representatives as well as other members of Campus Services management to provide consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Ensures all Custodial Services operations adheres to customer-determined standards. Develops cleaning schedules and routines to meet customer expectations for cleanliness and sanitary conditions in compliance with all applicable environmental health and safety requirements. Continually review and adjust schedules and routines as needed.
- Provides hands-on training to custodians in effective cleaning procedures, proper use of equipment and cleaning solutions, building security, and environmental health and safety regulations.
- Communicates effectively and consistently with custodial staff, community members, and customers electronically and face-to-face to ensure excellent customer service. Utilizes Microsoft Office software and customer electronic work order systems to prepare and validate operational data. Meets with staff as needed to address issues and concerns.
- Implements Green Cleaning procedures and train custodians in Green Cleaning techniques in accordance with the FMO Green Cleaning Program.
- Assigns and supervises work performed by hourly custodial employees and sub-contracted cleaning services (as required).
- Performs regular cleaning quality inspections for all areas. Document inspection results and initiate corrective actions as needed. Implement quality improvement recommendations made by independent, third-party cleaning auditors.
- Manages employee performance; provide counsel or disciplinary actions as necessary. Demonstrate sound judgement in the application of performance management in accordance with both the collective bargaining agreement and established Campus Services management practices.
- Ensures compliance with all Departmental, University, and governmental procedures, policies, and regulations. Assures compliance with bargaining unit agreement.
- Ensures custodial operations compliance with all customer-established procedures for use and care of facilities.
- Ensures custodial operations compliance with all procedures of workplace safety, environmental regulations, resource efficiency (recycling and energy conservation programs) and building safety.
- Coordinates and supervise customer requested function set-ups, snow removal operations and response to emergency conditions.
- Performs finance and administrative duties such as maintaining records of employee attendance and payroll, work schedules, key distribution logs, equipment and assist with monitoring supply of inventory.
- Works closely with the department human resources representatives to ensure the proper maintenance of all personnel records.
- Leads, provides support to, or performs special projects (short and long-range), initiatives, and tasks as assigned/directed.
Basic Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent work experience required
- Two to three years of supervisory experience in a customer-focused custodial operation required.
- Specialized knowledge of effective custodial and housekeeping procedures and cleaning systems required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, and time management skills required.
- Demonstrated proficiency with various computer software systems and applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and web-based applications required.
- Must be able to understand, explain, and enforce departmental and University policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated ability to read, write and perform financial calculations and administrative duties.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- An understanding of Harvard’s academic, administrative, and collective bargaining agreement structures is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership abilities and willingness to both lead a team and serve as an active team member, demonstrated ability to solve complex problems involving multiple parties without clear lines of authority, demonstrated ability to implement data-driven decision-making and process improvements, and demonstrated ability to maintain flexibility in assignments and work with constrained resources on tight deadlines or in emergency response roles.
- Demonstrated ability to develop favorable interpersonal relationships in a diverse, customer-focused environment. Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- In-depth knowledge of cleaning technology and procedures utilized in a higher education setting.
- Working knowledge of network-based systems preferred. Familiarity with handheld computing, equipment diagnostics, bar-coding, and related technologies desired.
- Ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole is preferred.