Maintenance Worker--DSS

Cherokee County; Murphy (NC); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherokee County Department of Social Services is seeking a Maintenance Worker to perform custodial and light maintenance tasks in the county facilities in Murphy, NC. The role includes cleaning offices and public areas, grounds upkeep, and routine equipment care.

The position requires basic education, ability to follow instructions, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team while adhering to safety regulations.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Ability to perform unskilled/semi-skilled manual labor.
• Familiarity with standard hand and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Keep offices, home, and public areas neat, clean, organized, and sanitized.
• Perform grounds maintenance: mowing, trimming, edging, and debris removal.
• Clean and sanitize restrooms and common areas; restock supplies.

Skills

Custodial work

Safety awareness

Independent work

Time management

Oral and written instructions

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Mowers

Trimmers

Leaf blowers

Power tools

Job description

Job Opportunities

Use the Government Jobs tab to search through your municipality's employment opportunities. Subscribe to job posting notifications to be automatically alerted of the latest career opportunities by clicking on the Notify Me® button.

CHEROKEE COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

4800 W US Highway 64, Murphy, N.C. 28906

[phone] - Fax [phone]

August 13, 2026

RECRUITMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Maintenance Worker

SALARY RANGE: Grade 59 – Starting Salary $32,655

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One

General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible unskilled and some semi-skilled manual work at Cherokee County Department of Social Services in the maintenance of the buildings and grounds

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs manual labor involving a variety of buildings and grounds maintenance tasks. Work involves the use of and maintenance of a variety of tools and light equipment. The employee is subject to working in both inside and outside environments, in hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as loud noises, vibration, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, and gases. Duties may expose the employees to human body fluids and thus the worker is subject to the OSHA requirements on bloodborne pathogens. Work is performed in accordance with established policies and procedures supplemented by instructions and the regular supervision of the DSS Director or their designees and is evaluated through observation and inspection to determine the thoroughness in carrying out assigned duties. This position is directly responsible for cleaning the offices of all Income Maintenance Staff and maintaining the daily maintenance duties of this department.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Responsible for keeping offices, home, and other public areas neat, clean, organized, and sanitized.
• Cleans all areas of the buildings; vacuums, mops, sweeps, dusts hard surface areas, cleans and sanitizes restrooms and restroom fixtures, cleans smudges off windows and doors, and sanitizes commonly used surfaces.
• Collects and disposes of all trash and cardboard throughout the facilities; offices, copy rooms, kitchens, restrooms, public areas, and exterior grounds area.
• Stocks and maintains supply areas to include ensuring restrooms are fully stocked with paper products and soap; places orders for additional supplies when needed.
• Performs a variety of grounds maintenance tasks such as cutting grass using power mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers and hand equipment; rakes, removes leaves and debris; edges curbs and sidewalks.
• Applies chemicals to weeds; spreads salt for ice and snow; cleans up excess salt after snow or ice melts.
• Operates a variety of hand and power tools including mowers, vacuum cleaners, rakes, brooms and mops, etc.
• Maintains equipment; services lawn mowers, trimmers and blowers; changes oil, belts; sharpens blades and washes equipment.
• Sets up rooms for various meetings and activities; moves furniture to rearrange offices and performs related tasks in assigned buildings.
• Replaces air filters, cleans out drains, and cleans ceiling vents as per schedule
• Checks lighting throughout the facilities and changes out burnt bulbs as needed.
• Performs preventive maintenance on restroom equipment and takes corrective action as needed.
• Cleans fleet vehicles as needed.
• Carries out deep cleaning of the interior and exterior of the facilities to include shampooing and steam cleaning carpets and floors, stripping and waxing floors, dusting and cleaning of fixtures, windowsills, and blinds, and sanitizing interior and exterior of waste receptacles.
• Performs and documents routine inspection and maintenance activities, performs basic maintenance work on buildings and equipment, including noncomplex electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting and mechanical repairs, and reports major deficiencies to the County Maintenance Department. Notifies management of occurring deficiencies or needs for repairs and follows up on pending County work orders to ensure request completion.
• Completes and submits the checklist of responsibilities documentation daily.
• Follows all health and safety regulations.

Additional Job Duties and Tasks

• Performs related duties as needed.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the methods and techniques applied in unskilled and semi-skilled manual labor and custodial work.
• Working knowledge of standard hand and power tools and the operation of light equipment and materials used in work assignments.
• Working knowledge of the occupational hazards and applicable safety precautions associated with assigned work.
• Familiarity with Material Safety Data Sheets
• Some knowledge of basic horticultural and custodial practices.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Must possess good organizational skills and excellent time management skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers and the public when required and to work effectively as a team member

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, feeling, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium heavy work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate vehicles and light equipment such as riding mowers, use measurement devices, visually inspect small parts and defects, and to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work performed.

Desirable Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school and some experience in custodial and maintenance work or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Selection Process

Selection procedures will include detailed review of applications and interviews for most qualified candidates.

Cherokee County is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, genetic information, national origin, and/or veteran or military status. Individuals being offered employment through Cherokee County are subject to drug screening and a background check.