Housekeeping Supervisor (Facilities)/Career Opportunity

Job Description

Job Description

The Housekeeping Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the cleaning and maintenance of common areas within buildings and dormitories, including restrooms, to ensure a safe, sanitary, and welcoming environment for all guests, residents, and staff. This role supports the Buildings & Grounds Department’s mission of providing a premier experience for patrons through consistent, high-quality facility care.

The Housekeeping Supervisor provides day-to-day leadership, training, and supervision to housekeeping staff, ensuring work is completed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with established standards. This position plays a key role in coordinating staffing, monitoring quality, and maintaining cleanliness across assigned facilities while working collaboratively with other Buildings & Grounds teams.

About the Work

• Oversee and coordinate daily housekeeping operations across the 250+ buildings on the Chautauqua Institution Campus, including but not limited to common areas, hallways, dormitories, and restrooms, to ensure established cleanliness, sanitation, and safety standards are consistently met.
• Assign, prioritize, and monitor housekeeping staff work activities to ensure efficient coverage and timely task completion.
• Perform and support cleaning duties as needed, including trash removal, vacuuming, waste transport, and restroom sanitation.
• Ensure restrooms and common areas are properly cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected using approved chemical products and procedures.
• Monitor and maintain adequate inventory of cleaning and restroom supplies; ensure supplies are stocked, labeled, stored securely, and reordered as needed.
• Coordinate and oversee deep-cleaning projects during seasonal building openings and closures, including carpets, ceilings, walls, windows, and furnishings.
• Conduct routine inspections of assigned areas to ensure quality standards are met and address deficiencies promptly.
• Train, coach, and support housekeeping staff on proper cleaning techniques, safety practices, equipment use, and customer service expectations.
• Ensure staff compliance with safety guidelines, chemical-handling procedures, and internal policies to prevent injuries, damage, and regulatory violations.
• Address and document maintenance concerns, safety hazards, pest activity, or damages, and communicate issues to appropriate departments.
• Ensure established procedures for logging and reporting lost guest items are followed.
• Maintain professional interactions with guests, residents, and staff, and model expected appearance and conduct standards.
• Support scheduling, timekeeping accuracy, and coverage needs in coordination with management.
• Foster a cooperative, respectful, and productive team environment.

Education

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience required

Experience

• Previous housekeeping, custodial, or facilities experience required.
• Prior experience leading, training, or supervising staff preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of cleaning standards, sanitation practices, and workplace safety requirements.
• Working knowledge of proper chemical use, storage, and handling procedures.
• Ability to lead, train, and motivate staff while maintaining accountability and quality standards.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to oversee multiple work areas and priorities.
• Attention to detail with the ability to inspect work and ensure consistency.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to safely use and oversee the use of cleaning tools, equipment, and supplies.
• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with housekeeping work, including standing, walking, bending, lifting, and carrying supplies.
• Ability to work independently while also functioning as part of a management and facilities team.
• Ability to work indoors for extended periods and tolerate exposure to cleaning chemicals while ensuring proper safety measures are followed.

About Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities. Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization.

About Your Department

The Maintenance & Facilities Department is responsible for the care, maintenance, and overall stewardship of Chautauqua Institution’s facilities, venues, dormitories, and campus grounds. From buildings and infrastructure to gardens, landscaping, and housekeeping, the department plays a critical role in preserving the safety, functionality, and distinctive beauty of the Institution. Team members work collaboratively across trades and disciplines to support daily operations, seasonal programming, and special events, helping to create a welcoming and well-maintained environment for residents, staff, and visitors.

About Your Work Schedule & Location

This position is at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County). The schedule is full time and may include daytime and evening hours, weekdays, and weekends, especially in the busy summer operating season and during winter weather events that require snow removal. The position will be based on the main campus in Chautauqua, New York.

Total Rewards for Our Talent

Compensation for this position starts at $22/hour and qualified candidates may earn up to $25/hour. Additionally, this person will receive a travel payment to offset the cost of using their personal vehicle to transport equipment. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and benefits suite include a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options. The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been 6% of gross compensation following the designated service period.

About the Referral Program

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.

Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience. Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.

Our Commitment to IDEA

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.” We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience. The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA.

Joining Our Talent Community

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment. You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.