Custodial Manager

Come join the fun and make a difference with Discovery Cube! For over 25 years, we've been inspiring kids and educators alike with our hands-on science education initiatives and interactive exhibits. Our four core initiatives - STEM proficiency, early childhood education, healthy living, and environmental stewardship - are future-forward in promoting life-long-learning. Plus, with our immersive campuses in Orange County and Los Angeles, as well as our educational outreach programs, there are endless opportunities for learning exploration. As a prominent advocate for modern science education, we believe in empowering our learners with real-world applications and spotlighting science as a solution and force for good. Don't miss out on the excitement and join our important mission today!

Position:

The Custodial Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations, maintenance, appearance, and safety of Discovery Cube's facilities to ensure an exceptional experience for guests, employees, volunteers, and visiting school groups. This role oversees custodial operations while directing facility maintenance, preventive maintenance programs, vendor partnerships, building systems, capital improvement projects, and operational readiness across exhibits, offices, event spaces, and outdoor areas.

This role balances operational excellence with a strong commitment to guest service, recognizing that clean, safe, and well-maintained facilities are essential to Discovery Cube's mission and the overall visitor experience.

Responsibilities:

Facilities Operations & Building Maintenance

• Oversee the day-to-day operation and maintenance of museum facilities and grounds.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance programs for building systems and equipment.
• Manage work orders and prioritize facility repairs.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, preventive maintenance practices, and facility appearance through process improvements and equipment upgrades.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, pest control, and other building services.
• Perform routine facility inspections and identify maintenance needs before they become operational issues.
• Assist with facility improvement projects.
• Ensure building remain operational, safe, and presentation-ready for guests and employees.

Project Management

• Lead small facility improvement projects.
• Coordinate museum setup for exhibits and special events.
• Assist with operation planning for renovations and exhibit installations. 

Leadership & Team Development 

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate custodial staff and leads.
• Create work schedules, assign tasks, and ensure adequate coverage for daily operations, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and excellent guest service.
• Provide ongoing training in custodial best practices, cleaning chemicals, equipment use, safety procedures, and guest interaction.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with OSHA standards, local and state health regulations, and internal safety policies, including Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) requirements.
• Train custodial staff in safe handling of cleaning chemicals and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Respond promptly to spills, hazards, biohazards, and emergency situations.
• Maintain safety documentation, MSDS/SDS records, and incident reports as required.

Inventory, Budgeting & Vendors

• Manage custodial supply inventory; order and maintain adequate stock of cleaning chemicals, tools, and equipment.
• Monitor and control departmental expenses while maintaining quality standards.
• Recommend and evaluate cleaning products and equipment suitable for a science center environment.
• Coordinate with external vendors or contractors as needed.

Guest Experience & Collaboration

• Support a positive guest experience by ensuring public areas are clean, functional, and welcoming at all times.
• Work closely with Exhibits, Guest Services, Programming, Education, and Events teams to align custodial services with operational needs.
• Support special events, evening programs, and traveling exhibits as required.

Qualifications: 

Required

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of five years of progressive facilities, building operations, maintenance, or custodial leadership experience.
• Three years managing staff in a commercial, educational, hospitality, healthcare, museum, or public venue.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing facilities operations, preventive maintenance, custodial services, vendor management, and regulatory compliance.
• Leading teams of 5-10 employees.
• Ability to respond to after-hours facility emergencies, including evenings, weekends, and holidays when operationally necessary. 
• Coaching and performance management.
• Hiring and employee development.
• Ability to manage staff in a fast‑paced, high‑traffic public environment.

Preferred experience with:

• Building operations
• Custodial operations 
• Preventive maintenance
• Vendor Management
• Museums, science centers, aquariums, zoos, or other cultural institutions
• Schools
• Hotels
• Entertainment venues

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and employee development skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication 
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to analyze operational issues and implement effective solutions
• Experience coordinating facility repairs, inspections, and preventive maintenance 
• Working knowledge of commercial building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, lighting, and life safety systems 
• Excellent organizational and time‑management abilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and work order or maintenance management systems 
• Attention to detail and commitment to high standards
• Building Operations
• OSHA compliance
• Project Coordination
• Facility Inspections

 What’s In It For You:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Optional supplemental insurance coverage
• 401K with up to 4% match after one year for full-time employees
• 14 Free general admission tickets per year
• Festival tickets plus admission
• 10% of on-site dining and shopping discount
• Employee discounts through ADP
• Accrued paid time off for full-time employees
• 10 paid company holidays 

Discovery Cube provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.