Lead Janitor

About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest

Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.

As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center serves residents from across the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world.

In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Center provides operations, maintenance, and public safety services for Waterfront Park, while Friends leads park experience, programming, and stewardship along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Seattle Center is seeking a skilled professional for a full-time 2^nd shift Lead Janitor position to lead a crew of janitors responsible for cleaning facilities at Seattle Center. The Lead Janitor reports to the Operations Crew Chief in the Technical Facilities Management Unit.  This is an opportunity to lead a team of people integral to the success of a dynamic arts community and tourist attraction!

Here is more of what you will be doing:

• Lead a small crew of janitors responsible for maintaining cleanliness and safety of various commercial facilities at Seattle Center in coordination with other Lead Janitors
• Perform janitor duties, such as collecting and disposing of trash and waste, sweeping of outside areas and sidewalks, mopping, refinishing and polishing floors, cleaning of restrooms and replenishing supplies, cleaning lighting fixtures, windows and other high areas
• In addition to performing the duties of a Janitor, this person will train, schedule, coordinate, and evaluate the work of Janitors
• Maintain routine accounting records, inventories and stock levels utilizing an automated system
• Assist in moving furniture and other objects
• Assist in testing and researching new products and equipment
• Perform basic maintenance work on equipment
• Act as liaison between janitorial crew and various levels of management

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years janitorial services experience (Combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

License, Certification, and Other Requirements: 

• Current Washington State driver's license.

Preference will be given for applicants who possess the Desired Qualifications:

• One year experience as a lead working in facilities comparable to Seattle Center
• Possess a safety-oriented attitude and be detail oriented
• Ability to read and write in English and perform basic math skills
• Proficient with email, familiar in Word and Excel
• Demonstrated superior leadership leading small crews over an extended period
• Excellent communication and customer service skills for clients, customers and the public consisting of people from diverse backgrounds
• Have event support experience
• Must be creative and supportive of both crews performing the work and the mission itself, even in the face of fiscal and operational challenges

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Able and willing to work the shift assigned which will include working weekends and holidays
• The shift for this position will be evening shift - 1:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Friday through Tuesday after a 2-week training period on the day shift (4:30 am – 1:00 pm)
• Required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time
• Required to lift objects weighing 50 pounds or less
• Requires handling or working with toxic/hazardous substances
• Required to work on ladders/scaffolding above floor level

The full pay range for this step-progression position is $30.30 - $32.82 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $30.30 hourly. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

How to Apply:

Applications will be accepted for this position until 4:00 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume
• Cover Letter

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To align with our commitment to equity and the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative, Seattle Center is collecting cover letters and resumes without personal identifiers to achieve a blind screening process. 

Driving Record - If you are selected to advance in this hiring process, you may be asked to obtain a complete 5 Year driving record from the Department of Licensing.  

Pre-Employment Physical - Due to the tasks associated with this role, you will be required to successfully pass a preemployment physical.

Background Check - Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Why work at the City?

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services. Seattle Office of Civil Rights)

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

For helpful tips on the application process and recruitment process: Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov. Application, Resume, and Interviewing Tips

More about Seattle Center:

Seattle Center welcomes nearly 12 million visits annually, generating nearly $3.3 billion in total economic activity, supporting 19,400 jobs, and producing more than $37 million in local tax revenue for the City of Seattle.

With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.