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 range starting at the mid $40k's; 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 ) 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 in three campuses within the vibrant Northern Virginia area. HRL employs over 170 full-time and 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 Lead Housekeeper, with supervision, provides on-site leadership to a moderate sized group of 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 Housekeepers to ensure cleaning services 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 Housekeepers perform below departmental standards;
• Conducts on-the-job training of employees as needed;
• Ensures that proper supply control guidelines are followed and staff is trained in use of all chemicals;
• Monitors safety in the workplace and ensure proper PPE are worn by Housekeepers;
• Verifies equipment is operating in accordance with manufacturers guidelines;
• Submits equipment repair requests when equipment fails to operate correctly;
• Instructs and assists Housekeepers 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 housekeeping duties;
• Reports supply and maintenance needs;
• Disseminates instructions from managers to housekeeping group; and
• Leads assigned Housekeepers to accomplish non-routine cleaning and to assist with special projects.

Custodial Services

• Cleans, vacuums, and mops common areas, hallways, and stairwells in residential facilities;
• Cleans laundry rooms to include 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.

Building Support Services

• Make minor repairs to student room furniture;
• Installs window treatments and replaces light bulbs;
• Picks up and disposes of trash from residential buildings to designated collection locations;
• Loads and unloads furniture and other materials;
• Transports items to designated locations utilizing various equipment as needed;
• Performs snow and ice removal;
• Completes pick-up and delivery of supplies; and
• During the performance of duties, identifies and reports maintenance needs, safety concerns, and suspicious or unlawful activities to the supervisor.

Unit & Division Support/Service

• Considered an essential employee for Housing and Residence Life 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 Housing & Residence Life;
• 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 UL 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 cleaning 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
• 
  Valid Driver License: 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 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: October 15, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 9, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes