Lead Housekeeper

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 :

Minimum Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

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 :

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 :