Special Projects Lead Housekeeper

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Department: University Life

Classification: Housekeeping & Apparel Wkr 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 02

Salary: Salary starting high $40k; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Important Eligibility Requirement

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver's license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English/Spanish) document before applying.

About the Department:

Housing & Residence Life (HRL) is a self-supporting auxiliary organization within the University Life unit of George Mason University. HRL serves a highly diverse population of approximately 6,200 students, the majority of which are undergraduates living in traditional, suite, and apartment-style residence halls at three campuses within the vibrant Northern Virginia area. HRL employs over 170 full-time graduate staff and over 200 undergraduate student staff. HRL is committed to provide a safe, well maintained student-centered environment that is innovative and all-inclusive of a global community. It is dedicated to creating a home that enriches the experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

About the Position:

The Special Projects Lead Housekeeper, with supervision, provides on-site leadership to a moderate sized group of Special Projects Housekeepers, whose primary purpose is to provide quality cleaning and maintenance services for the campus housing system comprised of over 6,200 beds within over forty (40) residential facilities.

Responsibilities:

Leadership:

• Oversees work performance of assigned Special Projects Housekeepers to ensure cleaning services and special projects are completed to department- defined standards. Evaluates quality and quantity of daily work completed through observation and inspection;
• Maintains quality standards in accomplishment of non-routine cleaning and emergencies;
• Responds to student concerns/requests and takes action to resolve them, including timely follow-up;
• Gives corrective instruction or re-training when Special Projects Housekeepers perform below departmental standards. Conducts on-the-job training of employees as needed;
• Ensures that proper supply control guidelines are followed and staff are trained in use of all chemicals and equipment. Monitors safety in the workplace and ensures proper PPE are utilized;
• Verifies equipment is operating in accordance with manufacturers guidelines. Submits equipment repair requests when equipment fails to operate correctly;
• Instructs and assists Housekeepers from Special Projects and other teams as needed in cleaning procedures, techniques, cleaning problems, and in the use of new methods and products;
• Ensures custodial closets are kept organized, products labeled and stocked to ensure ample supplies to perform custodial and special projects housekeeping duties;
• Reports supply and maintenance needs; and
• Disseminates instructions from managers to housekeeping group.

Special Projects Housekeeping:

• Performs a variety of semi-skilled manual duties requiring a basic understanding and knowledge of techniques, tools, equipment, and safety precautions; includes operation of carpet extractor;
• Picks up and delivers supplies in Housing and Residence Life (HRL) facilities, including both student and staff spaces;
• Makes minor repairs to student room furniture and installs window treatments;
• Picks-up and disposes of trash from residential buildings to designated trash collection location;
• Loads and unloads furniture and other materials; transports to designated locations utilizing various equipment as needed; and
• During performance of duties, notes and reports items to supervisor requiring repair or any suspicious or unlawful items around the facility.

Custodial Services:

• Cleans, vacuums, and mops common areas, hallways, and stairwells in residential facilities;
• Cleans laundry rooms to include, but not but limited to, mopping floors and wiping down machines in residential facilities;
• Cleans balconies and sidewalks in and around residence halls;
• Cleans bathrooms, completes daily trash removal, moves and spot cleans furniture, shampoos carpets, and strips, waxes, and buffs floors;
• Cleans student rooms, during building transitions or student check-out, including furniture, windows, ledges, doors, and closets; and
• Cleans select offices and classrooms to include desks, dusting, window ledges, window glass, furniture, doors, vacuuming, white boards, and emptying trash.

Groundskeeping:

• Maintains cleanliness of residential area grounds, walks, and drives clean by removing trash, garbage, and other debris as needed;
• Assists in the preparation of grounds for special events;
• Receives reports from Special Projects Housekeepers and addresses necessary services and repairs to grounds condition;
• Coordinates repairs with the Neighborhood Facilities Manager as needed;
• Performs de-icing and removal of snow from walks, driveways, and parking lots for various HRL facilities; uses chemical de-icing solutions and both power and manually operated tools and equipment for snow removal according to proper operation and safety guidelines; and
• Performs highly physical work outdoors on a consistent basis in all weather conditions, including very cold, icy, and/or snowy weather, and abides by all guidelines regarding use of appropriate cold weather gear in the performance of duties.

Unit & Division Support/Service:

• Considered an "essential employee" for HRL in regard to severe weather and response to after hour emergencies as necessary; subject to recall after hours in the event of campus emergencies, disasters, or other special needs as directed by management;
• Required to work on a rotating basis to ensure evening and weekend coverage;
• Reports all matters of safety to the appropriate supervisor;
• Provides effective service to students and the broader campus community, establishing and maintaining posting working relationships within and external to HRL;
• Follows all State, University and departmental policies, procedures, and practices;
• Promptly reports accidents on the job, preparing and submitting accident reports;
• Attends scheduled shifts and notifies supervisor of time-off requests with reasonable advanced notice, meets deadlines for completion of work, and is punctual;
• Attends and actively participates in training sessions and meetings, including department and University Life divisional meetings, initiatives, and in-person events to stay connected with divisional and institutional priorities and to foster cross-unit collaboration; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Related work experience (typically obtained in 2+ years) from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired;
• Experience with cleaning procedures, practices, and handling of chemicals;
• General knowledge of cleaning terms and safety procedures related to hazardous leaning chemicals;
• Effective oral communication skills to interact with students, faculty, and staff;
• Ability to operate standard custodial equipment;
• Ability to observe, assess, and record work and safety control standards;
• Ability to read, understand, and abide by cleaning instructions, schedules, and all safety policies/procedures/regulations related to chemical and equipment use;
• Ability to work independently, without close supervision;
• Ability to remain calm during stress periods;
• Ability to lift alone 50 lbs., or with a lifting partner 250 lbs.;
• Due to the nature of this position and frequent verbal contact, command of the English language is required; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• University residential, hotel, or multi-residential community housekeeping experience;
• Experiencing acting in a lead or supervisory capacity;
• Experience providing training to other employees;
• Demonstrated knowledge of custodial and floor maintenance techniques;
• Demonstrated knowledge of cleaning techniques, sanitation standards, and safety protocols;
• Ability to train, mentor, and motivate housekeeping staff; and
• Bilingual abilities (English/Spanish).

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Special Projects Lead Housekeeper at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a resume for review.

Posting Open Date: July 20, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 3, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes