Housekeeper (Special Projects)

Department: UL

Classification: Housekeeping & Apparel Wkr 1

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

Pay Band: 01

Salary: Salary range starting in the mid $30K; commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

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 350 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 Housekeeper-Special Projects, with supervision, performs general custodial and maintenance support as directed within the campus housing system comprised of over 6,000 beds within over forty (40) residential facilities. This position reports under the organization structure of the Associate Director for Housekeeping and Special Projects.

Responsibilities:

Housekeeping special projects

• Performs a variety of semi-skilled manual duties requiring a basic understanding and knowledge of techniques, tools, equipment and safety precautions;
• Operates carpet extractor;
• Picks up and delivers supplies in Housing and Resident Life Facilities (staff and student spaces);
• Makes minor repairs to student room furniture;
• Installs window treatments, as directed, and replaces light bulbs;
• 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 of any suspicious or unlawful items around the facility. 

Custodial services

• Cleans common areas, hallways, and stairwells in residential facilities;
• Vacuums and mops common areas, hallways, and stairwells and cleans laundry rooms to include but limited to, mopping floors and wiping down machines in residential facilities;
• Cleans balconies and sidewalks in and around residence halls; in addition, cleans bathrooms, removes trash (daily), moves and spot clean furniture, shampoos carpets, strips, waxes and buff floors;
• Cleans student rooms (furniture, windows, ledges, doors, closets) during building transitions or student check-out;
• Completes pick-up of exterior community grounds daily; and
• Cleans selected offices and classrooms to include desks, dusting, window ledges, window glass, furniture, doors, vacuuming, white boards and emptying trash. 

Groundskeeping

• Keeps 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;
• Assesses grounds conditions for needed services and repairs and reports findings to the Special Projects Supervisor for follow-up;
• Performs de-icing and removal of snow from walks, driveways and parking lots for various Housing and Residence Life facilities;
• Proficiently and safely uses snow removal equipment such as shovels, plows, snow blowers, ATV’s, skid loaders, vehicles with plow blades, and other power and manually operated tools and equipment used to perform snow removal;
• Safely and appropriately distributes de-icing solutions, including calcium chloride or rock salt; and
• Performs highly physical work outdoors on a consistent basis in all weather conditions, specifically very cold, icy, snowy weather. It is required that all Housekeeper - Special Projects team members have cold weather gear and wear it appropriately to protect themselves against adverse weather conditions. 

Departmental Duties and Related Tasks

• Responds to after hour emergencies as necessary; Considered an essential employee for Housing and Residence Life in regard to severe weather;
• Required to work on a rotating basis to ensure evening and weekend coverage; Subject to recall after hours in the event of campus emergencies, disasters or other special needs as directed by management;
• Reports all matters of safety to the appropriate supervisor;
• Communicates to Lead Housekeeper the need for additional cleaning supplies to maintain the appropriate level in respective housekeeping closets;
• Establishes and maintains a positive and operative working relationship with members of the department and the campus community;
• Effectively performs in a service environment; Follows all State, University and departmental policies, procedures and practices;
• Promptly reports accidents on the job, preparing and submitting accident reports;
• Maintains acceptable attendance record, punctuality and meeting deadlines; When instructed, attends and participates effectively in training sessions and meetings; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Related work experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired;
• Ability to read and follow cleaning instructions and schedules;
• Ability to practice effective oral communication skills with students, faculty and staff;
• Ability to read, understand and abide by all safety policies and procedures;
• Ability to remain calm during stress periods;
• Ability to lift alone 50 lbs., or with a lifting partner 250 lbs.;
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision;
• Due to the nature of this position and frequent verbal contact, candidates should have command of the English language; 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:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Previous housekeeping experience;
• Prior University residential, hotel or multi-residential community housekeeping experience;
• Experience in use of mechanical cleaning equipment;
• Previous experience in carpet cleaning and removal;
• General knowledge of cleaning terms and safety procedures related to hazardous cleaning chemicals; and
• Bilingual abilities (English/Spanish).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Housekeeper (Special Projects) 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.

This position is not eligible for international visa sponsorship.

Posting Open Date: August 22, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 5, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes