Children’s Fairyland is seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Custodian to help maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for the children and families who visit our park. Reporting to the Facilities Manager, the Custodian plays an important role in supporting daily park operations by ensuring that facilities, restrooms, and common areas are well-maintained and sanitary.

This position is responsible for routine cleaning, sanitizing high-touch surfaces, maintaining park grounds, and supporting general facility upkeep. The Custodian helps ensure that Fairyland remains a safe, tidy, and enjoyable space for staff, guests, and the community.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Facility Cleaning & Sanitation

• Perform general cleaning and janitorial duties in park common areas, offices, and restrooms.
• Clean and sanitize restrooms throughout the park, ensuring they remain stocked and maintained during operating hours.
• Sanitize high-touch surfaces to maintain health and safety standards.
• Empty trash and recycling receptacles throughout the park and ensure waste areas remain orderly.
• Vacuum, dust, and clean administrative and office spaces.
• Wash interior and exterior windows as assigned.

Grounds & Park Upkeep

• Maintain cleanliness around the park perimeter and outdoor areas.
• Remove graffiti and address minor cosmetic issues as needed.
• Assist with cleaning park sets, ponds, and other park features as assigned.
• Support preventive and periodic maintenance tasks to keep park facilities in good condition.

Maintenance Support

• Perform minor repairs and basic maintenance such as replacing light bulbs/fixtures or assisting with unclogging drains.
• Maintain an organized supply room and monitor inventory of cleaning and maintenance supplies.

Safety & Collaboration

• Assist in identifying safety hazards around the park and report maintenance issues or deficiencies to the Facilities Manager or Director of Facilities.
• Occasionally assist with cleaning and sanitizing the Fairyland Café.
• Provide support to other departments as needed, including Horticulture, Animals, Maintenance, and Art/Restoration.
• Interact with staff and park visitors in a professional, courteous, and helpful manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• At least one (1) year of experience in custodial, janitorial, or facility maintenance work preferred.
• Knowledge of cleaning practices, safety procedures, and the proper use of cleaning and sanitizing products.
• Ability to perform basic maintenance tasks and operate common tools and equipment used in facility upkeep.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a clean and organized environment.
• Ability to work independently and manage tasks efficiently.
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with staff, volunteers, and park visitors.
• Familiarity with hand tools and basic maintenance techniques is a plus.
• Completed or willingness to complete Bloodborne Pathogen training.
• Ability to pass a LiveScan background check with no barriers to working with children.

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-orientation- able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations. Comfortable working with non-English speaking and culturally diverse stakeholders
• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions
• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor.
• Passionate about the mission, vision, and goals of Fairyland and possess an understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success. 
• Strong work ethic with an orientation toward process improvement.
• Impeccable integrity and honesty
• Comfortable cleaning messy, dirty and sometimes gross things

Physical Requirements 

This position is primarily located in an outdoor environment.  Able to perform the following duties with or without accommodation:

• Stand, sit, kneel, walk, bend, and perform repetitive motions for the duration of an eight (8) hour shift
• Traverse safely over uneven terrain throughout the entirety of the 10-acre amusement park 
• Safely lift and transport items of up to 50 lbs. 
• Ability to operate motorized cleaning equipment
• Ability to work in small, cramped areas.
• Reach high work areas with ladders and/or scaffolding and work at heights greater than ten (10) feet.
• Mix or work with chemicals, paints, cleaning agents or similar solutions using accepted protective equipment.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Respond quickly to sounds
• See and respond quickly to situations
• Communicate in clear, loud voice 
• Operate two-way radio for communications with park personnel
• Work in outdoor, seasonal weather conditions for 100% of shift
• The ability to work on weekends and holidays
• A proven track record of punctuality and attendance
• A pleasant, considerate, and respectful demeanor to children and adults at all times

Benefits & Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position scheduled Fridays - Tuesdays, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, with occasional evening shifts for nighttime events. The non-negotiable starting rate of pay is $22.46. 

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in benefits after an introductory period.  Benefits include: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage at 100% for employees (after 60 days probationary period)
• 10 days of PTO, 3 floating holidays, and 10 paid sick days per year (eligible for use after 90 days)
• 401k plan available 
• Family membership to Fairyland or 6 guest passes annually
• Discounts on Fairyland merchandise and Café

How to join Team Fairyland

To apply for a position with Fairyland, please complete the application here. Due to the size of our operations, we are unable to take phone inquiries about positions.

Children's Fairyland fully and actively supports equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Our commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We see candidates with a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, community building, and meaningful connection with a broad range of people and institutions.

About Fairyland

Featured in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section on unique places to visit in Oakland and touted by BuzzFeed as “The Most Amazing Place to take Kids” in California, Children’s Fairyland is the first storybook theme park in America! In 1950, a group of visionary Oaklanders partnered with the city’s park superintendent and garnered support from enthusiastic citizens to build the outdoor 10-acre theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in the heart of Oakland. Visited by Walt Disney as he was conceptualizing Disneyland, Fairyland has inspired many other fairytale-themed parks across the United States. Over 220,000 visitors enjoy Fairyland’s many activities and programs annually, and through our outreach program, free or reduced admission is offered to over 16,000 children and families every year. Fairyland operates 362 of 365 days a year, weather permitting.