Job Summary:

 The Supervisor of Environmental Services is responsible for ensuring Institute standards of cleanliness in assigned academic or residential areas, including Residence Halls, apartments, classrooms, labs, offices and service areas, with a focus on quality of services and customer satisfaction. This position oversees the performance of all the duties of assigned staff including the safe operation of equipment and usage of chemicals.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent; or Associate’s Degree.
• Five years of experience in institutional cleaning services or related work (or three years with an Associate’s Degree).
• Three years of supervisory experience, which may include roles such as lead worker, project coordinator, or similar.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Relevant combinations of education, training, and experience will also be considered.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong Leadership abilities
• Effective supervisory abilities
• Must have the ability to prepare and interpret financial and other data
• Strong planning, organizing and time management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems
• Flexibility in dealing with emergency situations
• Constant attention to safety issues for self and co-workers
• Must have the ability to work flexible hours which may include evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to use a personal computer (Word, Excel, Outlook including job specific software)
• Excellent customer service skills

Representative Job Duties:

• Provide supervision, direction, and guidance to assigned staff. Prepare schedules to ensure fair and appropriate distribution of work. Ensure the most appropriately qualified staff member is matched to the suitable level of complexity of assignment. Ensure coverage in all areas during staff absences and vacancies. Develop, modify, and implement routine and project cleaning schedules for all assigned buildings.
• Make commendations and take disciplinary action in concert with the Director/Associate Director. Provide effective coaching and counseling to staff when necessary. Conduct individual and group interviews and make recommendations for hire, promotion, and termination of staff. Independently complete performance evaluations for all assigned staff, using the evaluation process as a tool to improve staff job performance in developing areas.
• Serve as liaison between staff and FCSC regarding any questions or issues related to payroll matters. Monitor accrued time including Paid Time Off (PTO), Other Paid Time (OTH), and Attendance Awards, ensuring proper work order numbers are used for accounting purposes. Independently answer time accrual questions and involve the Director/Associate Director when necessary. Audit staff timesheets for accuracy and submit accurate timesheets to the FCSC for processing.
• Assist the Director/Associate Director in the preparation, control, and tracking of the annual ES budget, including replacement or purchase of cleaning equipment, event-based overtime requirements, forecasting and tracking expenditures, and controlling labor and expenses to meet budget.
• Observe and enforce all operating and safety regulations necessary for the protection of staff, RPI equipment, property, and others. Report conditions in buildings that require correction by facilities maintenance staff to the FCSC or submit work orders directly via FAMIS. Report unusual or suspicious activity to Public Safety and inform the Director/Associate Director of safety concerns or unresolved maintenance issues.
• Perform routine and scheduled assessments of all assigned buildings using mobile applications or other appropriate methods. Document deficiencies and follow up with timely corrective action. Use the assessment process as a tool for improving services in deficient areas. Proactively seek out key customers (Building Coordinators, Res Life staff, etc.) and actively encourage feedback regarding the level of service being provided. Involve staff where appropriate, identify and correct problems before they become complaints, and serve as a key contact for customer concerns.
• Provide coaching and on-the-job training for assigned staff. Observe staff working in the field and coach, counsel, or retrain as necessary. Ensure new staff members are trained according to the ES departmental training outline. Utilize onboarding software to track the progress of newly hired employees, ensuring all tasks are complete, and provide assistance as needed. Actively arrange and participate in vendor-conducted staff training programs and conduct departmental training sessions as required. Instill proper and safe use of all cleaning chemicals and equipment, ensuring staff care for equipment with respect to daily cleaning, routine upkeep, battery charging, and proper storage.
• Perform regular audits of all cleaning equipment in assigned areas; check that each machine is working properly and provide updates to the master equipment log. Ensure janitor closets are maintained in a clean, organized, and safe condition. Ensure updated and current SDSs are kept in each facility and that staff are aware of their location.
• Inspect event site areas and prepare them for special events in advance. Plan overtime requirements for event coverage, discuss event needs with coordinators, and present OT requirements to the Director/Associate Director for approval. Plan and organize summer cleaning of the Residential campus and effectively supervise staff as a group during the summer schedule, working closely with Conferences Staff.
• Respond to campus emergencies during standard and non-standard hours. Lead and direct staff during snow response and assist with snow removal operations. Serve as on-call supervisor as scheduled via rotation and perform other duties as assigned.
• Ensure proper custody and control of all issued building keys and radios. Ensure assigned staff are carrying issued keys and radios per policy. Perform regular audits of the key box and independently update the master key log. Immediately notify the Director/Associate Director of any unaccounted-for key sets or radios.

Shift:

Supervisors must be prepared to lead staff in all campus settings and respond to seasonal or emergency situations, including snow removal and weather-related events, ensuring safe, clean, and well-maintained facilities at all times.  This may include various Shifts, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations.

Travel:

Driving:

Driving a Rensselaer vehicle for non-passenger use

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $62,354-$67,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).