Building Services Supervisor

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

The Supervisor of Building Services is responsible for the daily oversight of custodial operations, mailroom services, employee office space support, and event set-up and tear-down.

This role provides direct operational leadership for custodial services, mailroom operations, and event setup functions, while coordinating landscape and grounds maintenance through external vendors.

The Supervisor ensures all public and staff areas are clean, safe, and well-maintained, and that key operational services such as event setups, internal space moves, and mail distribution are executed efficiently.

This role requires a hands-on operational leader who is comfortable working alongside frontline staff, maintaining service continuity, and supporting intermittent after-hours operational needs. The Supervisor works collaboratively across departments to ensure seamless service delivery aligned with institutional values and priorities.

Organizational Culture Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs , Thriving California , and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives .

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California.

Key Responsibilities

Custodial Operations

• Lead daily custodial operations through a hands-on management approach, providing direct oversight, coaching, and operational support to staff. Set daily priorities, monitor performance, address operational challenges, and maintain team engagement and accountability.
• Serve as the primary operational leader for custodial services, including time in the field supporting staff, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring consistent service delivery across shifts, including intermittent after-hours and weekend support as needed.
• Ensure cleanliness and sanitation standards are met across public, exhibit, and back-of-house areas.
• Develop and implement cleaning schedules, supply inventory systems, and staffing plans.
• Coordinate special cleaning projects and exhibit turnovers in collaboration with internal departments.
• Support the Academy’s environmental goals by promoting green cleaning practices, reducing waste, and researching and suggesting new and updated operational practices.

Mailroom and Loading Dock Oversight

• Supervise mailroom staff members responsible for internal and external mail/package distribution.
• Ensure efficient and secure handling of incoming and outgoing deliveries.
• Coordinate access of the loading dock for vendor deliveries, waste removal, and institutional logistics.
• Provide operational support for after-hours and weekend activities as needed.
• Maintenance oversight of all Academy copy machines

Event Support

• Coordinate and supervise event furniture and equipment setups and teardowns for internal meetings, public programs, and rental events.
• Maintain inventory of event and move-related materials and ensure readiness for institutional use.
• Work closely with multiple Academy departments to ensure alignment with program needs and timelines.

Additional Responsibilities

• Hire, train, and supervise team members to foster a culture of service, safety, and accountability.
• Develop and manage operating budgets for custodial, support services, and supplies.
• Maintain records of work orders, service metrics, and vendor communications.
• Ensure compliance with institutional safety procedures, including OSHA standards, hazardous materials handling, and ergonomic guidelines.
• Participate in emergency response planning and inclement weather protocols.
• Work with the Academy’s volunteer and community engagement teams to support public participation in grounds-related activities.
• Monitor and assign work requests through the Academy’s CMMS (Limble), ensuring timely response, resolution, and accurate documentation of service delivery.
• Maintain strong working relationships with all departments across the Academy to deliver superior operational support.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:

Required

• Experience leading hands-on service operations and frontline staff in a complex, public-facing environment.
• Strong management experience with a minimum of 5 years of experience in facilities services, custodial, grounds, in a museum, university, public institution, or similarly complex environment.
• Experience coordinating vendor contracts and holding external providers accountable for quality and performance.
• Strong organizat