Housing Facilities General Custodial Technician Supervisor, Housing and Residence Life-UT Chattanooga

The Custodial Supervisor oversees custodial operations for Housing and Residence Life facilities serving about 3,700 residents. Responsibilities include supervising, training, coaching, and evaluating staff, ensuring compliance with cleanliness and safety standards, and maintaining a strong presence in residence halls. This role requires fostering a positive team culture, coordinating with contractors and vendors, and managing high-volume turnover cleaning during summer events. Additional duties may be assigned to support university goals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Actively participate in custodial cleaning duties alongside staff
• Provide day-to-day supervision of custodial staff in residential facilities
• Develop staff work schedules, assignments, and rotations to ensure adequate coverage and efficient workflow
• Conduct regular inspections to monitor the quality and effectiveness of custodial services
• Maintain a visible and supportive presence in the residence halls to ensure accountability and staff engagement
• Design and implement onboarding and continuous training programs for custodial staff aligned with university and industry standards
• Facilitate skill-based training, including equipment usage, chemical safety, green cleaning techniques, and customer service
• Evaluate staff performance through regular feedback, annual reviews, and competency assessments
• Utilize constructive coaching and performance improvement plans (PIPs) to address gaps and develop staff capabilities
• Responsible for coordinating and ensuring that staff complete required annual safety training and maintain compliance with all university-mandated training programs
• Ensure custodial operations comply with OSHA, EPA, and university environmental health and safety guidelines
• Incorporate custodial industry best practices, such as APPA (Association of Physical Plant Administrators) cleaning standards
• Evaluate custodial procedures and recommend innovations in products, methods, or tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability
• Act as a liaison between custodial staff, housing management, maintenance, and other campus partners
• Respond to work requests, resident concerns, and emergencies in a timely and professional manner

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Basic computer skills required to check emails, take required University trainings, submits work request, work orders, conduct daily monitoring of StarRez Housekeeping portal and conduct follow throughs
• Utilize University software to record staff daily working hours, approved time off requests and enter staff bi-weekly payroll
• Assist with the coordination, scheduling and leading of the summer work
• Serves as a role model to the Custodial team by displaying professionalism and adhering to the University of Tennessee policies, procedures, as well as departmental expectations
• May be called upon to respond to emergencies during weekends, holidays or outside of regular working hours
• Ensure all training is documented and meets compliance and safety requirements
• Maintain documentation of evaluations and improvement activities in accordance with university HR policies
• Collaborate with each custodial staff member to create an individual Professional Development Plan (PDP). Review and update each PDP at least annually, aligning with staff goals and departmental needs
• Prepare reports and communicate updates related to custodial performance, staffing, and training needs
• Coordinate the pickup and delivery of custodial supplies from the warehouse to assigned residence halls, ensuring timely and efficient distribution
• Assist with inventory monitoring and ordering of custodial supplies to maintain adequate stock levels and prevent shortages
• Ensure all custodial equipment, including residence hall vacuum cleaners, is maintained in clean, safe, and fully operational condition
• Ensure all custodial equipment, including residence hall vacuum cleaners, is maintained in clean, safe, and fully operational condition
• Schedule and conduct frequent equipment inspections to identify and resolve maintenance needs promptly
• Oversee the proper storage, handling, and labeling of cleaning chemicals and supplies in accordance with safety regulations

Competencies/Qualifications

• Valid State driver’s license and ability to drive in accordance with the University of Tennessee Safety Policy is required.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, in a professional workplace setting
• Experience in staff supervision or prior experience serving as a Lead
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively
• Proficient in coordinating workflow, materials, supplies, and resources
• Adaptable and flexible, able to work under tight schedules and adjust to changing priorities and team deployment needs
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Willingness to learn and grow, with the ability to receive and apply constructive feedback

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and use of housekeeping chemicals and equipment, including proper dilution, handling, and safety procedures
• Ability to work in a detail-oriented, team-based environment, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and safety
• Skilled in the operation and maintenance of custodial equipment such as carpet extractors, auto scrubbers, buffers, burnishers, and power washers
• Basic computer literacy, including the use of email, digital timekeeping, work order systems, and spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Office)
• Experience in training and mentoring custodial and staff, including onboarding new hires and providing ongoing skills development
• Experience conducting inspections and ensuring compliance with cleanliness standards, schedules, and safety protocols

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED, 3–5 years of experience performing as a custodial staff, in an institutional and/or commercial housekeeping setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of Lead supervisory experience. Demonstrated knowledge and use of housekeeping chemicals and equipment; ability to work in a detail-oriented, team environment demonstrated skill in operation of carpet and floor cleaning equipment such as buffers, extractors, scrubbers, and power washers
• Basic computer skills. Knowledge of OSHA regulations and best practices related to custodial work, including bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety (SDS), and PPE usage
• Review of applications will begin on January 12, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration

Work Location:

• University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, TN Campus
This is a fully on-site position

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT Market Range: MR07
• Anticipated hiring range: $47,250
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure
• Find more information on UT Benefits

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee’s largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs—at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga—nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation—are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.

Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.

From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.