Housekeeper -

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waivers

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Community service leave

Training opportunities

Job summary

Western Carolina University is seeking a Housekeeper to maintain cleanliness on the Cullowhee campus. Responsibilities include moving furniture, operating cleaning equipment, and ensuring bathrooms and common areas meet health standards.

The role requires physical stamina, ability to lift up to 50 pounds, and adherence to HK SOPs. WCU emphasizes a comprehensive benefits program and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cleaning procedures and equipment operation.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Ability to read instructions and follow HK SOP and HK Checklist.
• Strong communication and teamwork to serve students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Move and arrange furniture as required.
• Operate floor scrubbers, carpet extractors, vacuums and similar equipment.
• Clean and disinfect bathrooms and fixtures to standard.
• Dust walls, windows, lights and fixtures.
• Sweep, mop and vacuum floors as part of daily duties.
• Pull and carry trash and recycling for disposal.
• Follow safety guidelines and supervisor instructions.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks as needed.
• Assist with additional cleanup duties as requested.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Technical housekeeping

Safety compliance

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Job description

Position Summary

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

• Moving furniture.
• Operating heavy cleaning equipment such as a floor scrubber/buffer, carpet extractor, wet/dry vacuum, and/or others as necessary.
• Following the guidelines set by the Housekeeping Standard Operating Procedure (HK SOP ), Housekeeping Checklist (HK Checklist), and/or the instruction of their supervisor(s).
• Pulling/carrying trash and recycling.
• Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors.
• Thorough cleaning/disinfecting of bathrooms (all fixtures and surfaces).
• Cleaning and/or dusting walls, windows, and light fixtures.
• Minor maintenance tasks.
• Other necessary or related tasks/duties as assigned.

Additionally, Housekeepers can expect to receive occasional requests to adjust their usual schedule, either staying late/coming in early, doing additional weekend work to meet deadlines, or being called in to assist in unusual or emergency cleanup duties. Requests such as these will be kept to a minimum, but will occur throughout the course of a typical working year.

This is a physically demanding job that requires constant standing, squatting, walking, pushing/pulling, and the ability to lift up to 50lbs on a regular basis.

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

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.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Knowledge Technical: Must achieve a satisfactory level of technical skill/knowledge in the area of housekeeping products and methods. Ability to read and comprehend labels and instructions regarding cleaning material and equipment; and have the ability to learn how to safely operate cleaning equipment and how to mix chemicals for cleaning. Ability to perform medium to heavy physically demanding work, lift a minimum of 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time while working, lift, sweep, mop, dust, climb steps and ladders, and operate a variety of commercial Housekeeping equipment. Equipment may include large buffing machines, floor scrubbers/buffers, vacuum cleaners, carpet shampooers, pressure washers, 6ft ladders, etc.

Customer Service: Must understand the mission of the organization and how one’s own work activities impact both customers, students and the organization. Must understand the role of students in the work environment, the variety of students we serve and be able to respond accordingly in a professional manner.

Safety and Health Compliance: Must demonstrate an understanding of and maintain conditions that ensure a healthy and safe working environment. Ability to work in physically challenging work environment including frequent walking, squatting, bending, pulling/pushing and reaching. Ability to lift 50lbs. Must assist the Residence Life staff as needed with the implementation of any emergency response plan.

Interpersonal Skills/Communication- Must be able to communicate effectively with employees, supervisors and the general public. Must be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with others in order to encourage and support communication, teamwork and facilitate work. Must be able to understand and follow instructions and other communications regarding work assignments and other matters. Must be able to work independently or on a team and deal effectively with various groups, clients, or individuals being served. Ability to perform basic computer skills, examples include turning in maintenance requests and perform computer functions including sending and receiving emails and completing an on-line timesheet.

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.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range $35,457

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours per Week

Number of Hours per Week 40

Number of Months per Year

Number of Months per Year 12

Salary Band Range

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

Salary Grade

Salary Grade For administrative purposes during the implementation of Career Banding this journey level posiiton is considered a Salary Grade 53.

Open Date

Open Date 08/31/2026

Close Date

Close Date 09/20/2026

Open Until Filled

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.

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.

EOE

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.

Required Documents

• List of references

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• DD-214
• NGB 23A (RPAS)
• DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

• How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • HERC - Higher Education Recruitment Consortium
  • Website - Jobs.wcu.edu
  • Indeed.com
  • Personal Referral
  • Agency Referral
  • Other