Grounds Worker - #221862 & #001780

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Building Environmental Technician/Grounds Worker to maintain large-scale grounds in Cullowhee, NC. The role involves applying fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides, pruning trees and shrubs, mowing, equipment operation, and seasonal landscape projects. Normal hours are Monday–Friday 6:30 a.m.

to 3:00 p.m. with occasional variations. Candidates must be physically capable, hold a NC Driver's License and have the ability to obtain a Class B CDL and a NC

Qualifications

• Be in good physical condition and able to perform manual labor.
• General knowledge of grounds maintenance tasks including chemical applications.
• Experience with planting, cultivation, and care of region flora.
• Must have a valid NC Driver's License; ability to obtain a Class B CDL within 6 months.
• Ability to pass state certification for NC Pesticide Applicator License within 1 year of probation.

Responsibilities

• Apply fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides to grounds.
• Prune trees and shrubs; maintain flowering plants, shrubs and trees.
• Mow and weed large turf areas; operate related tools and machinery.
• Install landscape materials and perform general site maintenance.
• Snow removal and large-scale grounds maintenance as needed.

Skills

Grounds maintenance tasks

Fertilizer/insecticide/herbicide use

Operate grounds equipment

Planting and care of shrubs/trees/turf

NC Driver's License

Class B CDL within 6 months

NC Pesticide Applicator License within

Job description

Grounds Worker - #221862 & #001780

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

If no applicants apply, who meet the required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities/Competencies and Training and Experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.

All new hires into positions subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) will serve a 12 month probationary period as defined by the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).

Posting Details

• Posting Number: SHRA1730P
• Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35739
• Classification Title: Building Environmental Technician
• Competency Level: Advanced
• Working Title: Grounds Worker - #221862 & #001780
• Department: Facilities Management

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including: * 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list. * 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries. * 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries. * 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list. Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service. WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC The positions tasks and responsibilities includes, but is not limited to: application of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides tree and shrub pruning maintenance of flowering plants, shrubs and trees mowing/weedeating of large turf areas operation of tools, equipment and machinery utilized in grounds maintenance, landscape material installation, general site maintenance and snow removal, all on a large scale. Normal working hours are: Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with other work schedules on occasion. Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

The successful candidate must: Be in good physical condition capable of performing manual labor tasks in a variety of situations and conditions have general knowledge required in grounds maintenance tasks such as proper application of fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides be skilled in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment utilized in large scale situations have experience in planting, cultivation and care of shrubs, trees, plants and turf grasses of this region capable of understanding and carrying out oral and written work assignments. Candidate must: have a valid NC Driver's License have the ability to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License within 6 months of employment in order to maintain employment must have ability to pass state certification testing to obtain a NC Pesticide Applicator's License within the 1-year probationary period in order to retain employment.

Minimum Qualifications

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. 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.

Salary & Employment

• Anticipated Hiring Range: $39,258
• Position Type: Permanent Full-Time
• Number of Hours per Week: 40
• Number of Months per Year: 12
• Salary Band Range: $33,540 - $47,847
• Salary Grade: For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this advanced level posiiton is considered a Salary Grade 56.

Posting Dates

• Open Date: 10/19/2026
• Close Date: 11/02/2026
• Open Until Filled: No

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume

Optional Documents

1. DD-214
2. NGB 23A (RPAS)