General Utility Worker

State of North Carolina; Wake Forest (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Gov Morehead Sch for the Blind in North Carolina is seeking a Grounds Worker I to maintain campus grounds, trees, shrubs, and lawns. You will plant, prune, mow, and perform general landscaping to ensure a safe, attractive environment for students and staff.

The role requires operating a range of landscaping equipment, performing routine maintenance, and assisting with irrigation and beautification projects. Regular Monday–Friday schedule with potential overtime for emergencies.

Qualifications

• Experience in planting, cultivation and care of shrubs, trees, plants and grasses.
• Ability to operate and maintain landscaping equipment safely.
• Capable of performing physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather.

Responsibilities

• Plant, cultivate, water, fertilize, and maintain lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscape beds.
• Prune, trim, shape, and remove trees, shrubs, hedges, and other vegetation as needed.
• Mow lawns, edge walkways, and maintain grounds to ensure a clean, professional appearance.
• Apply mulch, fertilizers, herbicides, and other landscaping materials following safety guidelines.
• Operate and maintain landscaping equipment including weed trimmers, edgers, pruners, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and zero-turn mowers.
• Inspect and perform routine maintenance on grounds equipment.
• Remove debris, litter, leaves, and storm debris from grounds.
• Assist installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and landscape improvements.
• Maintain sidewalks, parking lots, entryways, and exterior areas in safe condition.
• Follow safety procedures and wear PPE; complete work per instructions.
• Assist with special projects related to grounds maintenance and campus beautification.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Equipment operation

Independence

Physical stamina

Outdoor work

Safety procedures

Education

Two years of grounds work education/experience

Education/experience equivalency acceptance

Tools

Weed trimmers

Edgers

Pruners

Hedge trimmers

Chainsaws

Leaf blowers

Zero-turn mowers

Job description

Agency

Gov Morehead Sch for the Blind

Division

Gov Morehead Sch for the Blind

Job Classification Title

Grounds Worker I (S)

Position Number

60038381

Grade

NC01

About Us

Governor Morehead School (GMS) is the flagship school in North Carolina that serves the special needs of visually impaired students, in a unique residential setting.Apart from its flagship status as the only residential school in the state for visually impaired students, GMS is renowned for its excellent program in Orientation and Mobility as well as its Braille Music program.

Description of Work

Position Summary
The Grounds Worker is responsible for the maintenance, care, and appearance of campus grounds, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, and lawns. This position performs skilled grounds maintenance work including planting, pruning, mowing, trimming, and general landscaping duties to ensure a safe, attractive, and well-maintained environment for students, staff, and visitors. The employee works under general supervision and exercises independent judgment in determining the care and treatment necessary to maintain grounds in excellent condition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plant, cultivate, water, fertilize, and maintain lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscape beds.
• Prune, trim, shape, and remove trees, shrubs, hedges, and other vegetation as needed.
• Mow lawns, edge walkways, and maintain grounds to ensure a clean, professional appearance.
• Apply mulch, fertilizers, herbicides, and other landscaping materials in accordance with established procedures and safety guidelines.
• Operate and maintain landscaping equipment including:
  • Weed trimmers
  • Edgers
  • Pruners
  • Hedge trimmers
  • Chainsaws
  • Leaf blowers
  • Zero-turn lawn mowers
• Inspect and perform routine maintenance and servicing on grounds equipment to extend equipment life and minimize downtime.
• Remove debris, litter, leaves, fallen branches, and other materials from grounds and landscaped areas.
• Assist with the installation and maintenance of irrigation systems and landscape improvements.
• Maintain sidewalks, parking lots, entryways, and other exterior areas in a safe condition.
• Follow established safety procedures and utilize proper personal protective equipment.
• Complete assigned work in accordance with oral and written instructions.
• Assist with special projects related to grounds maintenance and campus beautification.

Inclement Weather and Emergency Response

• Participate in emergency response activities during inclement weather events.
• Remove fallen trees, limbs, and storm debris to maintain safe access to campus facilities.
• Assist with snow and ice removal operations, including operating equipment and applying ice melt to walkways, entrances, roadways, and other high-traffic areas.
• May be required to report to work outside of normal operating hours during weather emergencies to ensure campus safety and preparation for student and staff arrival and departure.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic knowledge of groundskeeping and horticultural practices.
• Basic knowledge of tree and shrub cultivation, pruning, spraying, and trimming techniques.
• Basic knowledge of landscape equipment operation and safety procedures.
• Ability to perform routine maintenance and servicing of grounds equipment.
• Ability to identify common landscape maintenance needs and determine appropriate care and treatment.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to safely operate hand and power tools used in grounds maintenance.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting, carrying, and climbing.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, rain, snow, and other environmental conditions.
• Ability to safely operate equipment and machinery for extended periods.

Work Schedule

• Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday.
• Position may require overtime, early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday work during emergencies, severe weather events, or other operational needs.
• Employee may be required to report to work during inclement weather to assist with snow removal, ice mitigation, storm cleanup, and campus safety operations.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Education and/or experience in grounds work that is directly related to the job and consistent with accepted practices of the trade and equivalent to two years of experience in planting, cultivation, and care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grasses; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.