Career Center

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Custodial and Grounds Manager. This inaugural position proves an excellent opportunity for a skilled Custodial and Grounds Manager to join the Facilities Operations team and manage the maintenance and repair to all RISD campus buildings and outdoor spaces.

The Custodial and Grounds Manager serves as an active member of the Facilities Operations Senior Leadership team and provides collaborative input and strategic advice to the Director of Facilities Operations who promotes a culture of inclusion and respect. The incumbent will provide leadership and supervision of the facilities management teams that provide building services and grounds maintenance activities for RISD buildings (i.e., Custodial Services, Grounds Maintenance, and Waste Management). The person in this position directs and inspires a team of Assistant Supervisors and subordinate staff to coordinate custodial, grounds maintenance, and waste management services with customers and service providers. The Custodial and Grounds Manager procures outside contractors to provide service, as required as well as develops and implements training programs to include safety training, general education and sustainable programs and initiatives. The successful candidate develops and implements policy and procedure protocols and emergency response for all weather conditions and natural disasters, such as snow, ice, wind, rain, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other events that might alter normal operating conditions on campus. The Custodial and Grounds Manager will develop procedures and processes to continually improve service and quality to include serving as a 24/7 on-call employee, and serve as an on-call supervisor on a rotating basis.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a contributing member of the Facilities Operations senior leadership team who ensures efficient and effective operation and management of RISD Facilities custodial and grounds functions and staff by recommending and implementing operational best practices, policies, and procedures aligned with industry standards through data-driven decisions that support the department's overall strategic priorities.
• Researches and tests new custodial methods, supplies and equipment for the purpose of improving custodial services. Works cooperatively with administration and other staff in evaluating site needs, developing custodial cleaning schedules and recommending equipment and supply needs for the purpose of providing efficient services.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and ensures continued development of custodial and grounds supervisory/lead team, and regularly evaluate performance and maintain job records and employee time cards. Establishes training programs for all custodial and grounds staff and ensure continuous improvement and development of RISD competencies which align with and are supportive of RISD's mission and priorities.
• Develops standards for the purchase of custodial supplies and equipment in coordination with the purchasing department for the purpose of ensuring quality control and fiscally responsible purchasing. Ensures appropriate quantity of supplies and equipment for departmental operations and proper inventory control.
• Makes daily inspection tours of buildings and grounds to ensure adherence to established cleaning/sanitization and aesthetic standards. Through subordinate staff, ensures the timely reporting of faulty building equipment and systems problems to appropriate personnel.
• Makes periodic nightly inspections of evening shift staff.
• Negotiates and secures contracts with outside contractors and vendors, as required, to ensure operational needs are met.
• Develops and maintains reports to track data relevant to overall custodial and grounds operations.
• Ensures that all safety and OSHA regulations are observed in departmental operations by actively enforcing safe working practices and safety programs as established by RISD EHS and promoting proper working habits; complete relevant reports as required.
• Responds to maintenance and emergency calls on a 24-hour basis and serve as backup for other facilities operations supervisors.
• Ensures sustainable practices in RISD's trash and recycling programs.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Proven ability to keep current with industry best practices; make data-driven decisions; effectively analyze operating problems and develop effective courses of action
• Coordinate complex schedules and assignments; and detect safety, repair and/or replacement needs for facilities and grounds.
• Strong customer service focus, with the ability to work and communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals using both oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated project management and/or vendor contract management experience.
• Demonstrated cultural competence with an understanding of inclusion and diversity issues in the workplace, as well as the knowledge and skill to engage across a wide variety of individual differences and identities through meaningful interactions characterized by respect, mutual understanding, and reciprocity.
• Proficiency with computers, including working knowledge of software and enterprise systems such as Microsoft Office Suite and Workday.
• Willingness and ability to continue job-related training.
• Valid driver's license.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of supervisory experience in custodial, grounds, and moving maintenance, preferably on a higher education campus.

Preferred but not required skills and experience:

• Ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid DOT medical card within 90 days of hire
• Prior experience performing budgeting-related work

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt

Grade:

09/AD

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.