Lead Housekeeper

Job Opening: Lead Housekeeper

Full-time opportunity at the University of Southern California Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability Wrigley Marine Science Center, Catalina Island

Position: Full-time benefits-eligible Lead Housekeeper

The Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability (WIES) at the University of Southern California (USC) seeks a highly motivated and organized individual to serve as Lead Housekeeper for the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) on Catalina Island. This position reports to the Hospitality Manager.

The successful candidate will serve as the reliable point person for housekeeping coordination at WMSC. This position actively manages room turnover operations, tracking room assignments, check-ins and check-outs, and coordinating daily cleaning and reset schedules. The Lead Housekeeper ensures continuity of service and cleanliness standards for all guest housing and common areas, while also providing hands-on housekeeping service as needed. During high occupancy or short turnaround times, this position proactively requests and coordinates assistance from other Hospitality or Operations team members. The Lead Housekeeper's initiative, reliability, and leadership are critical to maintaining clean, safe, and functional spaces that support USC's research, education, and outreach mission.

Major Responsibilities:

• Coordinates housekeeping with hospitality staff, providing training, scheduling, and reviewing work for quality, accuracy, and adherence to internal standards. Plans and schedules staff to meet daily turnover and cleaning needs. Arranges for temporary workers as needed during peak occupancy. Monitors deadlines and adjusts assignments to ensure commitments are met.
• Tracks room assignments, check-ins, and check-outs. Coordinates room resets and daily cleaning schedules to ensure spaces are guest-ready.
• Conducts regular inspections of guest rooms, restrooms, and public areas to ensure cleanliness standards are consistently met.
• Cleans and services assigned areas when required, ensuring all spaces meet established procedures and standards.
• Responds promptly and professionally to requests from faculty, staff, students, and guests. Maintains a friendly and helpful demeanor.
• Submits maintenance requests to Facilities or Operations staff to ensure timely resolution and service quality.
• Keeps accurate logs, checklists, and records of housekeeping activities. Produces operating reports such as project status or workload updates as required.
• Provides a professional image at all times through appearance and dress
• Able to work well independently with little supervision
• Promote positive relationships in communication and cooperation with all coworkers and guests

An interest in environmentalism or sustainability is a plus!

Other Job Factors:

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to work flexible schedule (days, evenings, weekends and holidays)
• May be required to respond to after-hours emergency situations
• Required to work in a fast-paced environment
• Will be exposed to household chemicals

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum Experience and Field of Expertise: 3 years of housekeeping or custodial experience
• Experience in housekeeping, to include lead experience
• Thorough knowledge of housekeeping trade
• Knowledge of all cleaning standards and methods, materials, and equipment
• Knowledge of and compliance with the operation of all mechanical cleaning equipment
• Proven customer service experience
• Ability to speak and write in English
• Ability to motivate and direct others
• Ability to lift a minimum of 30 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred Experience: 1 year of experience in a lead or supervisory role

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Some weekend and after-hours work required. This position is eligible for overtime.

Compensation: The hourly rate range for this position is $21.97 - $24.47. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Location:Wrigley Marine Science Center, Catalina Island, CA.

Housing and Living Arrangements on Catalina Island: Residence on Catalina Island is a requirement of the role. This position is eligible for private housing in Two Harbors starting at $507/month (trash and sewer utilities included). Studio Apartments, and 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom houses are available to rent from USC.

In the town of Two Harbors there is a small general store, restaurant/bar, dive shop, snack shack, bed and breakfast, etc. It is a small town with a tight-knit community. USC employees carpool to work (USC's campus is two miles from Two Harbors) each day. Lunch is available each day in the dining hall, or employees can take the carpool home for their lunch break.

USC has a boat that employees and their guests can ride for no charge. The USC vessel has departure times from SCMI in San Pedro Monday through Friday. To check the boat schedule, please visit www.dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/transportation. Catalina Express also has a public charter to the island for additional transportation needs.

About the Wrigley Institute

The mission of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability is to inspire global environmental solutions through frontier research and education. Located in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, one of the nation's premier research universities, we also have a satellite campus on California's beautiful Santa Catalina Island. Through education, research, and engagement, we train the next generation of environmental leaders, develop original solutions to the world's most pressing environmental problems, and encourage nonpartisan action for sustainability and environmental justice.

WIES is part of USC's oldest and largest school, the Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and a key player in the university's high-profile sustainability initiatives. We are home to:

• Dornsife's Environmental Studies academic program, which grants both undergraduate and graduate degrees;
• The Wrigley Marine Science Center, our Catalina Island research base;
• The USC Hyperbaric Chamber, which serves the Southern California dive community;
• USC Sea Grant, which conducts outreach and advocacy on the urban ocean;
• Research centers on Earth & Environmental Systems, Applied Environmental Solutions, and Social Transformation; and
• Signature public events that bring together business leaders, policy makers, activists, and scholars for conversations of consequence on the environment and sustainability

A job with the Wrigley Institute is an opportunity to help solve one of the most important challenges of our era. Join us to help create a more sustainable future!

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.