Housekeeper (2nd Shift) - Multiple Positions

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Housekeeper (2nd Shift) to maintain cleanliness across campus facilities in Cullowhee, NC. This role requires physical work, operation of cleaning equipment, and delivery of supplies to multiple areas.

The position runs 4:00pm–12:30am, Monday–Friday with potential weekend work. Candidates must lift up to 50 lbs, have reliable transportation, and a valid NC driver’s license. Online application with references is required.

Qualifications

• Must be reliable, dependable and able to perform physically demanding work.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and use 6-foot ladders.
• Must be able to report to work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Must have valid NC Driver’s License.
• Able to follow instructions and work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Perform physically demanding housekeeping duties in large academic, administrative and athletic buildings.
• Operate heavy cleaning equipment and deliver supplies to various areas.
• Unlock/lock buildings and maintain cleanliness of restrooms, locker rooms, classrooms and offices.
• Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and clean surfaces and fixtures.
• Maintain safety by adhering to cleaning chemicals and procedures.

Skills

Reliable

Physical stamina

Lifts 50 lbs

Reading labels

Teamwork

Tools

Industrial cleaning equipment

Job description

Housekeeper (2nd Shift) - Multiple Positions

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of 4 WORK/BUSINESS references with complete contact information.

Work history or employers listed on a resume or other attached documents MUST be included on your employment application to receive consideration in the review process. Please include ALL work experience and education on the application to ensure that you receive the appropriate credit toward qualification for this position.

Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran’s Preference.

A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by the Department directly if selected for an interview. 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).

Working Title Housekeeper (2nd Shift) - Multiple Positions

Department

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 the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Multiple positions will be recruited from this posting.

Primary duties are physically demanding housekeeping duties in large academic, administrative and athletic buildings. Areas cleaned/disinfected may include auditoriums, classrooms, laboratories, offices, hallways, restrooms, locker rooms, stairways, athletics areas, etc. Duties performed include but are not limited to building unlocking/locking buildings, operating heavy cleaning equipment, removing trash and recyclables, dusting, changing light bulbs, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, locker rooms, classrooms, offices, labs, surfaces, light fixtures, using cleaning chemicals, delivering supplies, etc. Reliability and dependability are crucial for this position to ensure that work assignments are completed in a timely manner.

The 2nd Shift working hours are 4:00pm to 12:30am, Monday through Friday including weekend work. The shift hours and schedule will be flexible and subject to change to include adjusted shift hours, working on Saturdays and Sundays depending on campus demands, workloads and Department needs. Schedule adjustments, weekend and holiday work, responding to after-hours, weekend and holiday emergencies as needed.

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

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

• Must be reliable, dependable, perform physically demanding work, lift a minimum of 50 pounds, use 6ft ladders, stand for long periods of time while working and have some knowledge of cleaning methods, materials and equipment, provide coverage in other assignments.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to report to work during a variety of weather conditions including rain, snow and ice. This position is designated as “Mandatory” during adverse/severe weather conditions and is expected to work according to University and Departmental guidelines.
• Must be able to understand and follow oral instructions, directions and other communications regarding work assignments and other matters; ability to read and comprehend labels, directions, instructions, etc. regarding cleaning, equipment, chemicals and other work-related matters.
• Must be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with others, work independently or on a team, with or without close supervision and communicate with and interact effectively with various groups, co-workers and customers.
• Previous housekeeping/cleaning work procedures and/or experience in commercial floor maintenance or equivalent combination of training and experience will be considered. Working knowledge of large building cleaning practices and use of industrial type cleaning equipment will be considered.
• Must have a valid NC Driver’s License and reliable transportation.
• The above description is representative of the duties and responsibilities required of this position. It is not to be considered inclusive. Other duties may be assigned to meet the mission of the Department and University.

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 $36,520/year + benefits + 10% shift premium

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

Posting Text

Posting Text

Open Date

Open Date 10/02/2026

Close Date

Close Date 11/16/2026

Open Until Filled

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Please include a cover letter, resume, and a list of 4 WORK / BUSINESS references with complete contact information.

Work history or employers listed on a resume or other attached documents MUST be included on your employment application to receive consideration in the review process. Please include ALL work experience and education on the application to ensure that you receive the appropriate credit toward qualification for this position.

Applicants must upload a DD-214 if claiming Veteran’s Preference.

A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by the Department directly if selected for an interview. 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 ).

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

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Resume
• List of references

Optional Documents

• DD-214
• NGB 23A (RPAS)
• DD256 or NGB22

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * 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
• * Do you require sponsorship?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Can you work the shift hours of 4:00pm-12:30am or other designated hours, Monday-Friday with some weekend work and flexibility as outlined in this job posting?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a valid NC Driver’s License?
  • no
  • yes
• If you answered “No” to the above question than do you have a valid Driver’s License in any state in the USA?
  • no
  • yes
• * Do you understand that this is physically demanding work which requires heavy lifting, constant standing, squatting, walking, pushing/pulling and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs on a regular basis?
  • Yes
  • No