UTILITY WORKER

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 16,531 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

Duke University is seeking a Utility Worker to help keep its buildings and facilities safe, clean, and welcoming for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The role involves routine manual tasks, light maintenance, carpentry, and assistance with furniture assembly and transport.

Educationally, the position requires a partial high school education with no prior experience required, offering a career path in facilities and operations at Duke.

Qualifications

• Education typically through a partial high school education.
• No prior experience required; opportunity to grow in facilities and operations.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine manual tasks to support the upkeep of Duke University buildings and facilities.
• Complete light maintenance tasks including replacing light bulbs and inspecting electrical outlets.
• Conduct light carpentry repairs such as replacing window shades, drapes, and ceiling tiles; installing signs and furniture bumpers.
• Assist with assembling furniture, materials, and equipment.
• Operate a light truck or van to transport furniture, supplies, equipment, and personnel.
• Perform housekeeping tasks including floor care, window and surface cleaning.
• Report tasks beyond your capability to the supervisor.

Skills

Instruction following

Teamwork

Education

Partial high school education

Tools

Basic hand tools

Job description

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Date: Jul 16, 2026

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives each member of our community brings. As aUtility Worker, you’ll be an essential part of the team that keeps Duke’s buildings and facilities running smoothly. Your work helps create safe, clean, and welcoming environments that support our students, faculty, staff, and visitors every day.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires ability to understand and follow instructions generally acquired through a partial high school education.

Be Bold.

As Utility Worker, you will perform routine manual tasks necessary to maintain Duke University buildings and facilities.

What You’ll Do:

• Perform routine manual tasks to support the upkeep of Duke University buildings and facilities.
• Complete light maintenance tasks, including replacing light bulbs, opening drain lines, checking power panels (on/off only), and inspecting electrical outlets for visible damage.
• Conduct light carpentry repairs such as replacing window shades, drapes, and ceiling tiles; installing traffic signs and furniture bumpers; and adjusting closet doors.
• Assist with the assembly of furniture, materials, and equipment.
• Operate a light truck or van to transport furniture, supplies, equipment, and personnel as needed.
• Perform housekeeping tasks when required, including operating equipment to strip, scrub, wax, and refinish floors; cleaning windows, doors, frames, and walls; and servicing assigned areas.
• Report tasks or maintenance needs beyond your capability to the appropriate supervisor.

Choose Duke.

What You Bring

• Ability to understand and follow instructions, typically gained through a partial high school education.
• No prior experience required — a great opportunity to grow your career in facilities and operations

Ready to Make a Difference?

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires ability to understand and follow instructions generally acquired through a partial high school education.

Experience

None required. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.