What are the responsibilities and job description for the Custodial Lead position at University of South Carolina?
Posting Number
STA00791PO26
Job Family
Building and Grounds Maintenance
Job Function
Custodial Services
USC Market Title
Custodial Lead
Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/132113
Job Level
A4 - Administrative/Operational Support
Business Title (Internal Title)
Custodial Lead
Campus
Columbia
Work County
Richland
College/Division
Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support
Department
SAAS Housing - Custodial Operations
State Pay Range
G06
USC Market Range
MRC - $41,073 $50,315 $59,556
Anticipated Hiring Range
$41,073 - $59,556
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
40
Work Schedule
- Standard working schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis
12 months
Job Search Category
Trades/Maintenance
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Custodial Lead
- Are you a natural leader who takes pride in maintaining safe, clean, and welcoming spaces?
- Do you thrive in a hands-on role where no two days are the same?
- Are you looking for an opportunity to solve problems and make a meaningful impact on the Student experience?
We have the job for you!
The Custodial Lead is a key member of the Facilities team responsible for providing leadership, advanced custodial services, and operational support during the night shift. This position performs specialized floor and carpet care, coordinates the preparation and clean-up of residence halls and university events, responds to facility emergencies, and helps ensure campus buildings remain safe, clean, and welcoming for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
In addition to performing high-level custodial duties, the Custodial Lead serves as a resource and mentor for team members by assisting with training, distributing supplies, conducting quality inspections, maintaining attendance and key records, and providing oversight in the supervisor’s absence. The ideal candidate is a dependable, customer-focused professional who takes ownership of their work, demonstrates strong leadership skills, and is committed to delivering exceptional service and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Support
- Floor & Carpet Care
- Emergency Response
- Quality Assurance & Customer Service
Important aspects of this job -
- This position has been designated as essential personnel during inclement/hazardous weather and other emergencies.
- Ability to understand and apply University and Departmental policies and procedures.
- Ability to understand and follow instructions.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to use judgment and initiative to complete routine work without constant supervision.
Why Join Our Team?
As a Custodial Lead, you’ll have the opportunity to combine hands-on facility care with leadership responsibilities in a dynamic university setting. You’ll play an essential role in supporting student success, protecting campus assets, and ensuring university facilities remain safe, clean, and welcoming for the entire campus community. If you’re passionate about quality service, teamwork, and leading by example, we encourage you to apply.
Perks:
- Some of the BEST benefits you can find!
- Generous paid time off
- An engaging and collaborative on-campus environment
- You’ll enjoy the historic beauty of the University of South Carolina campus, surrounded by amenities, so you’ll love where you work!
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Typically holds a high school diploma or GED. Requires 3 or more years of job related experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
- Driver’s license preferred
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Must have a thorough knowledge of floor care and carpet care procedures and experience in operating motorized equipment.
- Ability to work independently and with team members. Knowledge and skills of industrial custodial duties and institutional regulations. Ability to carry out duties in a timely manner.
- Ability to use housekeeping chemicals according to label instructions and in a safe manner, including proper disposal of chemicals. Knowledge of blood-borne pathogens and material safety data sheets.
Job Duties
Job Duty
Applies total quality management/continuous improvement principles and processes by attending training and meetings; providing on the job training to new and temporary employees and retraining based on Q & A evaluations; Conducts routine building inspections and works with team to provide quality services in a timely manner; sharing information and suggesting improvements in work methods; troubleshooting problems and reporting difficulties to supervisor; communicating with faculty, staff, students, building liaisons, and campus visitors as necessary in order to keep management informed of incidents, issues, and needs; to provide a high level of customer service; and to share best practices and resolve problems with the custodial services areas. Reports work orders through FIXX. Issues, retrieves and maintains log of keys. Responsible for taking and maintaining records of attendance.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
15
Job Duty
Responds to emergencies to include extracting water from floors and carpeted areas using wet/dry vacuums and/or carpet shampooer/extractor and blower machines, and moving furniture during flooding in order to prevent water damage. Provides a higher level of custodial work when necessary in post-construction sites, flooded or otherwise damaged buildings, when called upon for catastrophic events such as providing evacuee facilities; working at different locations as necessary to fill in for absent employees or to alleviate overload conditions; and responding to emergency weekend and/or hazardous weather plan call-backs
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
15
Job Duty
Assists with the preparation for and clean-up of University special events, including setting up and taking down chairs and tables, egressing the location before and after the event, providing additional recycling and waste receptacles, and removing trash and recycling materials after the event.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Assists with fulfilling the Custodial Services mission by performing custodial duties when necessary to include, but not limited to, high and low dusting, vacuuming, washing walls, mopping and scrubbing floors, wiping down surfaces (wood, glass, plastic, Formica, tile, slate, granite, ceramic, blackboard and white board), shampooing carpets, sweeping, polishing floors and furniture, collecting and removing trash and recycled materials, and any other cleaning work necessary in activity rooms, canteens, classrooms, computer and network labs, conference rooms, elevators, entrances, halls, functions rooms, kitchens, lounges, offices, restrooms, stairways, study halls, and laundry rooms adhering to University policies and procedure, applicable standards for the specific type of location being cleaned, safety codes, and OSHA regulations and using applicable equipment and appropriate cleaning supplies in order to maintain a safe, clean, and attractive environment, and keep up the property value of the assigned buildings.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Perform administrative related tasks to include completing work orders and safety data sheets and incident reports as necessary to communicate needs and/or to indicate completed work assignments, accidents, equipment damage or failure, and any other relevant issues; requesting and restocking supplies and equipment from supervisor using various supply sheets and request forms to maintain adequate supplies; daily inspection of equipment to ensure safe and efficient operation of equipment; and completes/maintains accurate daily labor sheets and leave requests.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Maintains wood, ceramic tile, cement, brick, and linoleum floors by sweeping, dust mopping, damp mopping, scrubbing or stripping, finishing, waxing, and buffing by using wet and dry stripping methods, utilizing buffer machines, wet/dry vacuums, roto-washers, and extractors and maintains carpeted floors by vacuuming, bonneting, pre-treating stains, and shampooing using dry powder and extraction methods in order to maintain a safe, clean, and attractive environment and keep up the property value of the flooring in assigned buildings.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
50
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No
Hazardous weather category
Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
11/01/2026
Job Open Date
10/20/2026
Job Close Date
11/08/2026
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by November 8, 2026.
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition
- Dependent Scholarships
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/214831
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Salary : $41,073 - $59,556