Custodial Operations Lead - Oregon Zoo

Oregon Metro•Oregon Zoo, OR

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Metro’s Oregon Zoo Guest Services Division is seeking a Custodial Operations Lead to direct day-to-day custodial operations across a large, active public campus. This hands-on leadership position leads staff and custodial projects, maintains clean and safe facilities, and coordinates with employees, guests, contractors, vendors, and partner departments. The role is classified as an Operations Lead, is represented by LiUNA 483, and is eligible for overtime. The position works throughout the Oregon Zoo in indoor and outdoor settings, including public spaces, animal areas, restrooms, service roads, food-service areas, confined spaces, and elevated locations. Conditions may include weather extremes, wet surfaces, uneven terrain, interruptions, urgent requests, events, staffing shortages, equipment failures, and emergencies. Work is physically demanding and involves extensive walking across a large, hilly campus, prolonged standing, and repeated bending, reaching, twisting, crouching, kneeling, climbing, pushing, pulling, carrying, and lifting. Employees must consistently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and occasionally handle up to 100 pounds using safe work practices, with or without reasonable accommodation. Exposure may include chemicals, bodily fluids, biohazards, contaminated materials, dust, grease, wastewater, sharp objects, noise, vibration, moving machinery, vehicles, and powered equipment. Required PPE must be used when applicable. The full hourly pay range is $24.64 to $31.43; the likely appointment range is $24.64 to $29.62 unless qualifications justify a higher step under Metro’s pay equity and internal equity review. The position requires a valid driver’s license and insurability by Metro’s carrier. Blood Borne Pathogen Training, Emergency and Safety Procedures Training, HAZMAT Awareness Level Training, and Forklift Certification must be obtained within 60 days of starting work.

Requirements

Five years of custodial or warehouse experience and two years leading and directing employees or performing similar higher-level responsibilities, such as organization, record keeping, facilitating projects, and overseeing employees; or an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured by Metro’s insurance carrier.
Obtain Blood Borne Pathogen Training, Emergency and Safety Procedures Training, HAZMAT Awareness Level Training, and Forklift Certification within 60 days of starting work.
Knowledge of custodial procedures, restroom sanitation, floor care, pressure washing, biohazard response, chemical handling, waste operations, and equipment use.
Ability to organize daily operations, track follow-up, maintain records, and ensure work is completed.
Ability to lead, delegate, coach, document, and provide hands-on custodial support; make timely decisions and escalate issues when appropriate.
Ability to communicate clearly by radio, email, written notes, shift handoffs, spreadsheets, scheduling tools, and in-person conversations.
Ability to hold staff accountable fairly, consistently, respectfully, and confidentially, including through difficult conversations.
Commitment to safety, proper PPE, hazard recognition, stop-work judgment, and compliance with Metro policies, procedures, laws, and collective bargaining agreements.
Ability to meet the position’s physical demands, including extensive campus walking and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds consistently and up to 100 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading custodial operations in a large public venue.
Experience assigning work with an equity perspective, conducting quality inspections, and documenting follow-up.
Experience training staff on custodial equipment, chemicals, PPE, safety procedures, restroom sanitation, floor care, pressure washing, or biohazard response.
Experience with email, spreadsheets, scheduling systems, inventory tools, work-tracking tools, or other computer-based records; relevant certifications are a plus.
Experience operating or coordinating scrubbers, extractors, polishers, pressure washers, lifts, forklifts, waste equipment, utility vehicles, or similar equipment.
Experience working in a union environment and applying work standards consistently and fairly.
Experience planning or leading projects involving coordination across shifts, departments, contractors, or public-facing operations.
Ability to work early mornings, days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, events, overtime, and alternate shifts as operational needs require.
Ability to work fully onsite at the Oregon Zoo.

Responsibilities

Lead, assign, prioritize, and monitor daily custodial work across assigned shifts to ensure safe, thorough completion to Zoo standards.
Adjust staffing and assignments for breaks, absences, call-outs, events, emergencies, changing priorities, and operational needs.
Conduct shift audits and quality-control checks of restrooms, public areas, waste areas, equipment, supplies, storage areas, and assigned zones.
Train and coach staff on cleaning procedures, equipment, chemicals, PPE, safety standards, Zoo expectations, and standard operating procedures.
Provide respectful corrective guidance when work does not meet standards and communicate performance, attendance, conduct, safety, and follow-through concerns to the Custodial Manager.
Plan and lead campus custodial projects, including staff direction, safety review, quality checks, progress tracking, and biweekly updates to the manager.
Develop and update checklists, standard operating procedures, shift expectations, training tools, and procedure manuals.
Inspect, organize, and maintain equipment, vehicles, tools, supplies, chemicals, PPE, and storage areas; remove unsafe equipment from service and coordinate repairs or replacement.
Coordinate with Security, Maintenance, Events, Living Collections, Admissions, contractors, vendors, public officials, volunteers, and other departments.
Perform custodian-level work as needed, including restroom cleaning, waste removal, floor care, pressure washing, deep cleaning, light maintenance, event support, and vehicle or equipment operation.
Maintain records, track follow-up items, communicate shift handoffs, and support safe and consistent operations amid changing priorities and interruptions.