Housekeeping Lead

General Information

Title: Housekeeping Lead

Employment Type: Full-time, Hourly

Reports To: Operations & Facilities Manager

Compensation: $22.00 per hour

Location: Big Bear, California

Start Date: As soon as possible

Position Summary

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is seeking an experienced Housekeeping Lead to oversee the daily housekeeping operation and ensure our campus and off-site housing are consistently clean, organized, and guest-ready.

Reporting to the Operations & Facilities Manager, the Housekeeping Lead is responsible for leading the day-to-day housekeeping team, executing established housekeeping procedures, and maintaining BBRC's standards of cleanliness, comfort, and hospitality.

This is a working leadership position. The Housekeeping Lead works alongside the housekeeping team while providing direction, monitoring quality, and ensuring assigned tasks are completed efficiently. The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, proactive, and comfortable using digital tools to access schedules, documents, and operational tracking systems.

About Big Bear Retreat Center

Big Bear Retreat Center (BBRC) is a retreat destination located on approximately 100 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest, bordering an additional 800 acres of protected forest. Founded in 2018, BBRC was envisioned as a Southern California destination for residential meditation retreats.

While silent meditation retreats remain our primary offering, our mission also includes providing retreat space for mission-aligned organizations and making retreats accessible to people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience them.

BBRC hosts meditation, dharma, and respite retreats, along with retreats for nonprofit organizations and other mission-aligned groups. We have partnered to offer inclusive retreats, including the first residential transgender and gender expansive retreat, Spanish-language retreats, Black Women's retreats, retreats for teens of color, and many others.

Located just 2.5 hours from Los Angeles at 7,000 feet elevation, BBRC offers a peaceful mountain setting with four distinct seasons near Big Bear Lake.

Mission

Big Bear Retreat Center is a residential retreat center that provides space for mindfulness, respite, and healing to foster individual and collective transformation and illuminate our connection with nature, one another, and society.

Key Responsibilities

Housekeeping Operations

• Lead and participate in the cleaning and preparation of guest accommodations, meeting spaces, offices, common areas, and BBRC-owned off-site housing.
• Ensure all guest rooms and facilities consistently meet BBRC standards for cleanliness, presentation, comfort, and safety.
• Coordinate efficient retreat turnovers while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Assign daily housekeeping tasks and monitor completion.
• Train, mentor, and support housekeeping staff in established procedures and expectations.
• Perform routine quality inspections and promptly address deficiencies.
• Respond to guest housekeeping requests in a timely, professional manner.

Department Coordination

• Execute housekeeping priorities established by the Operations & Facilities Manager.
• Coordinate closely with Operations, Facilities, Kitchen, and other departments to support retreat operations.
• Communicate room readiness, maintenance concerns, supply needs, and housekeeping updates.
• Help ensure housekeeping assignments are completed according to established procedures and timelines.

Inventory & Supply Management

• Maintain appropriate inventory levels of linens, toiletries, cleaning supplies, paper products, and housekeeping equipment.
• Keep housekeeping storage areas organized, clean, labeled, and well stocked.
• Submit supply requests before inventory levels become low.

Administrative Support

• Utilize Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Gmail) to access schedules, department documents, and operational information.
• Update simple spreadsheets, inventory logs, and housekeeping tracking documents.
• Complete required reports and documentation accurately and on time.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform minor maintenance tasks such as replacing batteries, light bulbs, and other simple repairs.
• Support environmental sustainability initiatives whenever practical.
• Perform additional housekeeping or operational duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 1–2 years of housekeeping experience in hospitality, lodging, retreat centers, hotels, or similar environments.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high cleanliness standards.
• Ability to prioritize work and adapt to changing operational needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable leading by example while working alongside the housekeeping team.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Gmail.
• Self-motivated with the ability to recognize priorities and complete responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• Willingness to work weekends and maintain a flexible schedule based on retreat operations.
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.

Preferred

• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.
• Experience working in a retreat center, hotel, camp, or hospitality environment.
• Knowledge of environmentally friendly and fragrance-free cleaning practices.
• Experience using digital checklists or inventory management systems.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Big Bear, California. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed is required.

Physical Requirements

This role requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50 pounds throughout the workday. Employees must be able to safely operate housekeeping equipment, including vacuums, carpet cleaners, mops, and other cleaning tools, and work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the year.

Flexibility

BBRC functions best when all staff work toward our shared mission. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Duties may change or new responsibilities may be assigned at any time based on organizational needs.

Benefits

• 14 days of paid time off during the first year
• 10 days of paid sick leave annually
• Healthcare reimbursement account
• Monthly wellness stipend
• Annual retreat participation

Equal Opportunity Employer

Big Bear Retreat Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive for equity, celebrate diversity, and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

Qualified candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are especially encouraged to apply.