Grounds Worker

University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

University of North Carolina at Greensboro is seeking a Grounds Worker to maintain the campus landscape and auxiliary properties. The role focuses on turf care, tree and shrub care, and general grounds upkeep to keep the campus neat, safe, and aesthetically pleasing.

Responsibilities include mowing, edging, overseeding, sodding, and operation and maintenance of grounds machinery and equipment. The position is full-time, 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with 12 months per year and non-exempt status.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cleaning procedures and ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical work.
• Competency in operating and maintaining grounds equipment.
• Valid NC Driver's License and pesticide license or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Turf care including mowing, weed control, and edging.
• Tree and shrub care including pruning according to best practices.
• Maintain campus grounds for cleanliness and safety.
• Operate and maintain grounds machinery and tools.

Skills

Cleaning procedures

Follow instructions

Physical fitness

NC Driver's License

Tools

Pesticide Applicators License

Job description

Requisition Number:

S3134

Position Number:

003669

Position Classification Title:

Building & Environmental Tech

Functional Title:

Grounds Worker

Position Type:

Staff

University Information:

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:

Facilities Operations has the responsibility of providing a wide range of services to the entire UNCG campus. Services include all aspects of corrective and preventive maintenance, operations, grounds maintenance, housekeeping, utility infrastructure maintenance and operations, business operations, safety, regulatory compliance, project management, and renovations. These duties are conducted for a campus consisting of over 100 buildings totaling 6 million gross square feet on over 275 acres.

The Grounds Division of Facilities Operations at UNCG is a service organization comprised of skilled professionals dedicated to providing the highest quality in grounds planning, installation, landscape maintenance, and improvements. Grounds Division services aim to enhance the livability, aesthetics, and safety of the campus environment.

Position Summary:

Re-Post, Previous Applicants Need Not Re-Apply, Still Under Consideration

The primary purpose of the Grounds Worker position is to perform maintenance to the campus landscape and auxiliary properties.

30% – Turf care

30% – Tree and shrub care

20% – General Overall Campus Grounds Upkeep, Cleanup, and Tidiness

20% – Skills in use and maintenance of Machinery, Tools, and Equipment

This position is a mandatory position as defined in the Adverse Weather and Emergency Event Policy.

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of cleaning procedures, ability to follow instructions and to perform medium to heavy physical work; an equivalent combination of training and experience. Special certification may be required for some of these positions. Special note: this is a generalized representation of positions in this class and is not intended to identify essential functions per ADA. Examples of competencies are typical of the majority of positions, but may not be applicable to all functions.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates:

Valid NC Drivers License

NC Pesticide Applicators License or ability to acquire within 6 months

Alternate Option:

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants are required to upload a list of at least three (3) professional references that includes:

1. Name,
2. Company Name,
3. Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic, or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.
4. Email Address
5. Contact Phone Number

Recruitment Range:

$35,384 – $38,449

Org #-Department:

Grounds - 56405

Work Hours of Position:

6:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. M-F

Number of Months per Year:

12

Job Family:

Institutional Services

Career Banded Title:

Building & Environmental Tech

Open Date:

06/09/2026

Close Date:

08/18/2026

FTE :

1.000

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Key Responsibility:

Turf Care

Essential Tasks:

• Mowing
• Weed Eating
• Edging Walks and Drives
• Overseeding
• Sodding
• Liming
• Soil Testing
• Pre and Post Emergent Weed Control
• Insect and Disease Control
• Irrigation System Maintenance

Key Responsibility:

Tree and Shrub Care

Essential Tasks:

• Prune trees and shrubs per established best management practices.

Key Responsibility:

General overall upkeep of Campus, Cleanup, and Tidiness

Essential Tasks:

• Maintain the campus in a neat fashion. Identify and remove fallen limbs, litter, and remove debris from sidewalks, streets, and curbs with a leaf blower or other means deemed necessary.

Key Responsibility:

Skills in the use and upkeep of machinery, tools, and other grounds equipment

Essential Tasks:

• Consistently demonstrates the ability to use common tools and machinery associated with grounds maintenance.
• Performs daily and weekly maintenance on equipment to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Competency:

Knowledge - Technical

Competency Description:

• Coordinates quality and direction of work as lead person.
• Recognizes grounds maintenance needs.
• Coordinates and schedules grounds maintenance work.
• Coordinates utility digs and irrigation repairs.
• Applies/recommends all types of pesticides usages.
• Coordinates moves and setups for events and activities.
• Coordinates design, acquisition of material (plants and planting, mulch, seed, fertilizer, etc.).

Competency Level:

Advanced

Competency:

Communication

Competency Description:

• Leads by example in overcoming communication problems in the work area.
• Provides input into prevention of problem in future.
• Consistently demonstrates the ability to effectively express thoughts, ideas and information (verbal and non-verbal) concerning complex work issues.

Competency Level:

Advanced

Competency:

Interpersonal Skills

Competency Description:

• Crosses work units when problem solving as directed or as needed.
• Initiates the ability to determine and share ways to improve the team’s operating procedures.
• Contributes to the understanding of how work area and organization fit into the larger university process.
• Demonstrates personal accountability for completion of required tasks assuring quality results.
• Consistently shares expertise and knowledge with members of the organization/area.

Competency Level:

Advanced

Competency:

Safety and Health Compliance

Competency Description:

• Inspects work areas and corrects potential hazards.
• Conducts training and safe operation of equipment and pesticides.
• Identifies and corrects potential conditions that affect employee safety; promote safety standards.
• Reads MSDS and original labels before applying or mixing chemicals. Independently ensures chemicals are labeled and are environmentally safe.
• Discusses safety violations with co-workers who are careless and endangering themselves and/or others.
• Notifies supervisor of safety concerns and make recommendations for resolution.

Competency Level:

Advanced

Competency:

Customer Service

Competency Description:

• Anticipates customer needs, addresses and resolves. Represents the work area as needed on matters of concern.
• Monitors the process to ensure customers are well satisfied.
• Identifies special needs and exceptions to norm; and determines appropriate action.
• Demonstrates ability to make recommendations resulting in improved processes, lowered costs, etc.

Competency Level:

Advanced

Physical Effort:

Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - C, Hand Movement-Grasping - C, Holding - C, Finger Dexterity - C, Vision-Skilled Trades - C, Reading - C, Writing - F, Eye-hand coordination - C, Vision-Color Distinction - C, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - F, Vision-Visual inspection - C, Vision-Measuring/Assembling at distance close to eye - F, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Standing - F, Sitting - F, Walking - F, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - F, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - F, Lifting-60-90 lbs. - F, Lifting-90 plus lbs. - O, Pushing/Pulling - F, Climbing-Stairs - F, Climbing-Ladders - O, Bending - F, Squatting - F, Reaching - F

Work Environment:

Driving - Car/Truck - F, Driving - Standar/Automatic - F, Driving - Mower/Forklift - O, Location - Trees - O, Equipment/Machines - Heights - O, Equipment/Machines - Ladders - O, Equipment/Machines - Step Stools - O, Night/Dark - O, Extreme noise levels - C, Extreme temperatures - F, Inside - R, Outside - C, Ventilation ConditionsChemicals - F, Exposure to potential Hazardous Conditions - F, Chemical Spills - O, Overtime - O