Grounds Worker

East Carolina University; Greenville (NC); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, NC, is seeking a Grounds Worker to maintain turf, shrubs, and landscape areas on campus. Primary duties include mowing, edging, planting, pruning, spraying, weeding, and related maintenance tasks, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Preferred candidates will have experience with grounds equipment and a valid NC driver's license. Salary range for this full-time role is $33,540 to $41,729, with open posting until filled.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.
• Some positions may require special licenses or certification.

Responsibilities

• Mowing, blowing, edging, planting, pruning, spraying, weeding, and other turf/landscape duties.
• Trash pickup/removal, irrigation maintenance, street and parking lot maintenance, storm drain maintenance, and snow and ice removal.

Job description

Competency Level 2 - Journey

Working Title

Working Title Grounds Worker

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 3

Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.00

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time or Part Time Full Time

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $33,540 - $41,729

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $33,540

Salary Grade Equivalency

Salary Grade Equivalency NC01

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday - Friday

Work Hours

Work Hours 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Position Location (City)

Job Category

Job Category Staff

Be a Pirate!

East Carolina University ( ECU ) is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C. , which is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU’s commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university’s leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

Campus Operations is a major unit in the Administration and Finance Division of ECU with approximately 500 employees and annual budget in excess of $30 million. The Campus Operations organization includes Facilities Engineering & Architectural Services, Facilities Services, and Housekeeping Services. Campus Operations is responsible for the support of all University real property including buildings, infrastructure, and grounds. Responsibilities on the University’s Main, Health Sciences, West Research Campuses, and satellite locations associated with ECU programs include major and minor renovations and construction; corrective and preventive maintenance and repairs by utilities services (controls, electrical, HVAC , life safety, plumbing, central steam and chilled water operations), building services (carpentry, locksmith, masonry, paint, roofing), automotive services; maintenance of grounds by grounds services, recycling, refuse removal, sustainability; moving services and housekeeping services support of academic, administrative, athletic, classroom, clinical, dining, laboratory, library, performing arts, and residence life spaces.

Primary Purpose of Position

Primary duties of this position include, but are not limited to: mowing, blowing, edging, planting, pruning, spraying, weeding, and other miscellaneous duties in maintaining turf, shrubs, trees, and flowers. Other grounds-related duties include trash pickup and removal, irrigation installation and maintenance, street and parking lot maintenance, storm drain maintenance, and snow and ice removal.

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work. Some positions may require special licenses or certification.

License or Certification required by statute or regulation

None

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Prefer experience with a professional landscaping firm, nursery, or a medium-to-large grounds maintenance operation. Experience operating grounds-related equipment such as riding lawn mowers, backhoes, forklifts, skid steers, etc. is preferred. A pesticide license is preferred.

License or Certification required by the Department

Valid NC Driver’s License

Additional Instructions to Applicant

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 09/30/2026

Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date; If no closing date is indicated, the position will be posted until filled and may close at any time after the recruitment has been completed.

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 budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.
ADA [e-mail]

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at [phone] or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to [e-mail]. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST .

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Please indicate where you learned about this job vacancy.
  • LinkedIn
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • CareerBuilder
  • Greenville Daily Reflector
  • Raleigh News & Observer
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • Monster.com
  • Indeed
  • ECU Website
  • Other
• * Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment?
  • Yes
  • No