Grounds/Landscape Worker

Winston-Salem State University; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Winston-Salem State University is seeking a Grounds/Landscape Worker to join the Facilities team on a permanent full-time basis. The role focuses on campus grounds care, waste management, sanitation, recycling, and occasional event setup/breakdown.

The position requires reading/writing ability, a high school diploma or equivalent, and 2–3 years of experience in groundskeeping or landscaping. Valid driver’s license is needed.

Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write and/or follow written or oral instructions.
• High school diploma or equivalency.
• 2-3 years of experience in groundskeeping or landscaping.

Responsibilities

• Perform skilled work in the planting, cultivation, and care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grass.
• Mow and trim lawns and shrubberies using hand and power trimmers.
• Plant shrubs, flowers, grass, and trees as appropriate to enhance campus landscaping.
• Prune, spray, trim, and water shrubs, trees, and flowers.
• Spray weed killers in flower beds, sidewalks, and drives.
• Edge campus walks, drives, building, and stationary equipment.
• Remove leaves, paper, and other debris from campus grounds, walks, and drives
• Remove ice and snow from sidewalks and streets.
• Patch roads and driveways and assist in installing campus signage.
• Make minor repairs to lawnmowers, hose, rakes, pruners, sprayers, and other landscaping equipment.
• Properly dispose of waste while following all safety precautions
• Monitor trash levels and report to management if receptacles should be replaced, or if additional receptacles are necessary in specific spaces
• Anticipate heavy trash events such as Fall Move-In, Spring Move-Out, Homecoming, etc and adjust pick-up rounds and schedules accordingly
• Transport tents and chairs to and from event location
• Erect and take down tents, place chairs
• Relocate furniture as assigned.
• Listen and respond to customer needs promptly and respectfully
• Communicate professionally and efficiently with teammates, leads, and supervisors in order to complete work in a safe and effective manner
• Act as a team player, answering questions from new hires when possible and assisting in the transfer of knowledge

Skills

Groundskeeping

Landscaping

Reading/Writing

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Tools

Lawnmowers

Hose

Rakes

Pruners

Sprayers

Job description

Classification Information

Position Classification Title

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Position Class

Position Class 16785

Position Overview

Join the Ramily!

Join the Ramily!
Winston-Salem State University ( WSSU ) is a distinguished institution that combines academic excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to fostering student success. We are proud to be North Carolina’s only university to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education ( ACE ). WSSU is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through rigorous programs in health sciences, business, education, and the humanities. Known for its supportive environment, the university fosters a close-knit community that nurtures both professional and academic excellence.
Situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina—known as the City of Arts and Innovation, WSSU provides students with opportunities to engage in a dynamic mix of professional, social, and cultural experiences. Winston-Salem is home to thriving arts, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering both students and faculty unique collaboration opportunities and professional development pathways.
With its beautiful campus, strong sense of community, and dedication to fostering personal and professional growth, Winston-Salem State University is an ideal place to teach, work, and learn.
Find information about our current benefits and retirement options, our holiday schedule, and other discounts and perks at the links below:
UNC System Employee Benefits Central
UNC System Retirement Benefits
WSSU Holiday Schedule
WSSU Discounts and Perks

Winston-Salem State University is seeking a Grounds/Landscape Worker to join the Facilities team!
This position is responsible for the maintenance and care of the campus grounds, waste management, sanitation, recycling, and moving and hauling. This position also supports occasional event set-up and break-down.

The position’s primary focus may change between groundskeeping, waste management, and moving and hauling depending on season, staffing shortages, and business need.
Responsibilities of the Grounds/Landscape Worker include:

• Perform skilled work in the planting, cultivation, and care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grass.
• Mow and trim lawns and shrubberies using hand and power trimmers.
• Plant shrubs, flowers, grass, and trees as appropriate to enhance campus landscaping.
• Prune, spray, trim, and water shrubs, trees, and flowers.
• Spray weed killers in flower beds, sidewalks, and drives.
• Edge campus walks, drives, building, and stationary equipment.
• Remove leaves, paper, and other debris from campus grounds, walks, and drives
• Remove ice and snow from sidewalks and streets.
• Patch roads and driveways and assist in installing campus signage.
• Make minor repairs to lawnmowers, hose, rakes, pruners, sprayers, and other landscaping equipment.
• Properly dispose of waste while following all safety precautions
• Monitor trash levels and report to management if receptacles should be replaced, or if additional receptacles are necessary in specific spaces
• Anticipate heavy trash events such as Fall Move-In, Spring Move-Out, Homecoming, etc and adjust pick-up rounds and schedules accordingly
• Transport tents and chairs to and from event location
• Erect and take down tents, place chairs
• Relocate furniture as assigned.
• Listen and respond to customer needs promptly and respectfully
• Communicate professionally and efficiently with teammates, leads, and supervisors in order to complete work in a safe and effective manner
• Act as a team player, answering questions from new hires when possible and assisting in the transfer of knowledge

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

Position Information

Position Number

Position Number 080071

Competency Level Contributing

Working Position Title

Working Position Title Grounds/Landscape Worker

Building and Room No.

1602 Lowery St

Work Hours: From [time] to [time] on [days] of [week]

Work Hours: From [time] to [time] on [days] of [week] 6-3 Ocassionally weekend & evenings

Hours per week 40

Months per year

Months per year 12

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Permanent Full-Time

If Time Limited.

If Time Limited. No

Appointment Length. 12

DHR Assigned Fields

FTE

FTE 1

Requirements and Preferences

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies All - Emergency and Pandemic on site

Position required to work On-Call/Emergency Callback

Position required to work On-Call/Emergency Callback No

Some knowledge of cleaning procedures, ability to follow instructions and to perform medium to heavy physical work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Special certification may be required for some of these positions.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• Must be able to read, write and/or follow written or oral instructions
• High school diploma or equivalency
• 2-3 years of experience in groundskeeping or landscaping

Required License or Certification

Valid US Driver’s License

Valid US Driver's License

Valid US Driver's License Yes

Commercial Driver's License Required

Commercial Driver's License Required No

Physical Required

Physical Required No

List any other medical/drug tests required

Posting Number

Posting Number SPA01064P

Internal Posting Only

Internal Posting Only No

Time Limited Position

Time Limited Position No

State Salary Range

State Salary Range $33,540 - $47,847

Internal Salary Range

Internal Salary Range $33,540 - 36,050

Open Date

Open Date 10/06/2026

Close Date

Close Date 10/21/2026

Open Until Filled No

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Competency

Competency Knowledge - Technical

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Groundskeeping and Landscaping

Amount of time spent on Groundskeeping may vary dependent on season, business need, or staffing shortages within the department.

• Perform skilled work in the planting, cultivation, and care of shrubs, trees, plants, and grass.
• Mow and trim lawns and shrubberies using hand and power trimmers.
• Plant shrubs, flowers, grass, and trees as appropriate to enhance campus landscaping.
• Prune, spray, trim, and water shrubs, trees, and flowers.
• Spray weed killers in flower beds, sidewalks, and drives.
• Edge campus walks, drives, building, and stationary equipment.
• Remove leaves, paper, and other debris from campus grounds, walks, and drives
• Remove ice and snow from sidewalks and streets.
• Patch roads and driveways and assist in installing campus signage.
• Make minor repairs to lawnmowers, hose, rakes, pruners, sprayers, and other landscaping equipment.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 25%

Competency

Competency Knowledge - Technical

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Waste Management and Pickup, Sanitation, and Recycling

Amount of time spent on Waste Management and Recycling may vary dependent on season, business need, or staffing shortages within the department.

• Properly dispose of waste while following all safety precautions
• Monitor trash levels and report to management if receptacles should be replaced, or if additional receptacles are necessary in specific spaces
• Anticipate heavy trash events such as Fall Move-In, Spring Move-Out, Homecoming, etc and adjust pick-up rounds and schedules accordingly

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 25%

Competency

Competency Knowledge - Technical

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Moving and Hauling, Event Setup and Break-down.

Amount of time spent on Moving and Hauling and Event Setup/Break-down may vary dependent on season, business need, or staffing shortages within the department.

• Transport tents and chairs to and from event location
• Erect and take down tents, place chairs
• Relocate furniture as assigned.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 20%

Competency

Competency Customer Service

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Listen and respond to customer needs promptly and respectfully

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Competency

Competency Communication

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

• Listen to instructions and ask necessary questions to complete tasks
• Notify team leads and supervisors of equipment and maintenance needs, and inform when a matter arises from a customer that require higher authorization.
• Able to effectively communicate to convey messages and understand directives.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 10%

Competency

Competency Interpersonal Skills

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

• Communicate professionally and efficiently with teammates, leads, and supervisors in order to complete work in a safe and effective manner
• Act as a team player, answering questions from new hires when possible and assisting in the transfer of knowledge

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 10%

Competency

Competency Teamwork

Describe the specific job duties related to this competency

Additional duties as assigned and necessary for department business needs.

Percentage Of Time

Percentage Of Time 5%

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Public Job Posting
  • Internal Job Posting
  • Agency Referral
  • Advertisement/Publication
  • Personal Referral
  • Website
  • Other

Required Documents

• Resume

Optional Documents

• References List
• Cover Letter

Winston-Salem State University

601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Winston-Salem, NC 27110