Equipment Room Specialist

Department

CSL ATH: Equipment Room and Scheduling

About the Department

With a rich and storied history, the University of Chicago’s Department of Athletics & Recreation endeavors to serve the broad range of fitness, physical recreation, and athletic needs of the University of Chicago community. The Department sponsors 20 intercollegiate teams and 570 student-athletes in various varsity sports. The Department sponsors more than 40 club sports and a diverse intramural sports program in which approximately 8,500 students participate each year. Numerous open recreation opportunities are provided in the two indoor facilities as well as the outdoor fields, courts, and running track. On an average day, approximately 2,100 students, faculty and staff use the athletic and recreational facilities on campus.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Equipment Room Specialist supports the daily operations of the Department of Athletics & Recreation through the care, maintenance, distribution, and inventory management of athletic apparel, towels, equipment, and related supplies. Primary responsibilities include laundry operations, equipment room services, locker assignments, recordkeeping, and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of assigned departmental spaces.

The position also assists with the maintenance, preparation, setup, breakdown, and operation of athletic facilities and equipment in support of departmental programs, practices, competitions, special events, and other departmental activities as assigned.

There are three positions available:

Monday-Friday: 7:00am-3:00pm

Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm

Sunday-Thursday: 1:00pm-9:00pm

Responsibilities:

• Performs laundry operations for the Department of Athletics & Recreation, including the collection, washing, drying, folding, storage, transportation, and distribution of athletic apparel, towels, uniforms, shower curtains, and other departmental and visiting team laundry items.
• Distributes, collects, organizes, and maintains athletic apparel, towels, equipment, and related supplies for student-athletes, coaches, staff, patrons, visiting teams, and other departmental programs and activities.
• Manages locker, cubby, and lock assignments, including issuing and recording locker numbers and combinations, maintaining accurate assignment records, and assisting with the distribution and collection of related items.
• Cleans out and prepares lockers as assigned, including removing, bagging, labeling, and storing personal belongings and performing basic cleaning of lockers in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Maintains accurate records related to departmental apparel, equipment, inventory, laundry operations, locker assignments, and other equipment room activities.
• Performs basic daily care and maintenance of laundry equipment, including cleaning lint traps, cleaning machines, changing filters, cleaning drains, and replacing laundry detergent barrels and supplies as needed. Reports equipment problems and maintenance concerns to the supervisor.
• Maintains the cleanliness, organization, and security of equipment rooms, locker rooms, laundry facilities, storage areas, and other assigned departmental spaces.
• Monitors and communicates departmental needs related to apparel, towels, laundry supplies, equipment, locker maintenance, inventory, and other operational concerns.
• Assists with the maintenance, cleanliness, organization, preparation, setup, breakdown, and operational readiness of Department of Athletics & Recreation of equipment and facilities (including fields, courts, locker rooms, equipment rooms, and related departmental spaces) in support of athletic competitions, practices, special events, recreational programs, and other departmental activities as assigned. Reports facility concerns, repair needs, and maintenance issues to the supervisor.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Must be able to read and write.
• Must be able to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to perform basic recordkeeping.
• Must be capable of communicating effectively with supervisors, students, staff, faculty, and the public.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments concurrently required.
• Must be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must be able to adapt to changing departmental operational needs and priorities.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications:

Education:

• High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate required.

Experience:

• Two years of experience in athletic equipment room operations, recreation or fitness facilities, athletic facility operations, or a related field required.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong time management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform basic recordkeeping.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of athletic equipment care and maintenance techniques.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• There are three positions available: Monday-Friday 7am-3pm, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday-Thursday 1pm-9pm. These positions may have a modified schedule during summer and interim periods. Overtime opportunities and schedule adjustments will  be required based on departmental operational needs.
• Must be physically capable of performing duties involving prolonged standing, walking between facilities in various weather conditions, bending, reaching, lifting overhead up to 25 pounds, and climbing step stools, step ladders, and stairs.
• Must be capable of working within a laundry room environment involving elevated room temperatures, consistent laundry machine noise, exposure to laundry chemicals, and dust.
• Must be capable of performing assigned duties in indoor and outdoor athletic facilities and related departmental spaces.
• Significant overtime may be required, particularly during evenings, weekends, athletic competitions, and special events.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• References (3)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$19.67 - $20.26

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Union

042 - Local 73, S.E.I.U. Skilled Trades - Real Estate Operations

Job is Exempt

No

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

Yes

Posting Date

2026-10-27

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.