Grounds Worker - #006700, #006542, #006577, #006586, #006656, & #006697

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina, UNC Asheville is the designated public liberal arts campus in the University of North Carolina system. UNC Asheville is nationally known for the quality of our student-centered teaching, mentoring of undergraduates in research, interdisciplinary learning, and a welcoming campus community.

In addition to award-winning faculty, UNCA has also ranked high in 2025:

Employees of UNCA are provided with 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 the Academic Assistance Program for training and development and Tuition Waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employees may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses.

Also, offered are group exercise classes, and free access to the campus recreation center for full time employees, on campus vaccine shots, 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 personal leave and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

We are recruiting multiple positions. As summer rapidly approaches, this is the perfect time to be part of the team for the beautification of our campus. This position will report to the Grounds Department in Campus Operations. Responsibilities include pruning, weeding, pest control, planting of trees, shrubs, and perennials, mulching, fertilizing, and all aspects of maintaining lawns, trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials, mowing, weed-eating, snow removal, trash and litter removal, and sidewalk/road/parking lot maintenance.

A clear understanding of horticultural principles and techniques needed to properly maintain a diverse landscape of trees, shrubs, groundcovers and herbaceous perennials is needed. Knowledgeable in the use of organic products and methods including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Knowledge of cultivation, pruning, spraying, and trimming requirements of shrubs and trees is preferred.

In addition, experience and a proven proficiency in safe operation of all equipment used for grounds management, including commercial riding mowers, blowers, sprayers, pruning tools, garden tools, spreaders, large snow removal equipment, etc.

Experience in landscape construction, from transplanting large trees and shrubs to proper installation of retaining walls and pavers. An understanding of written and oral directions to make applications of pesticides/herbicides and fertilizers is necessary to be successful.

Duties require moderate to heavy amounts of physical labor and exertion in all types of weather, may be asked to assist in the set-up of events, furniture moving, etc., as needed.

Ability to work as a member of a team and independently is required. The ability to communicate well with the public is an important factor of this position.

Typical hours are Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional required overtime as needed to meet the needs of the department and University.

The employee in this position is identified as critical personnel in accordance with UNC Asheville policy.

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.

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Applicants may include a cover letter, and resume.

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

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

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) .

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

UNC Asheville 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.

The University of North Carolina Asheville 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 (828) 251-6605 or email to hr@unca.edu.

The UNC Asheville Annual Safety Report is available online at UNCA Safety Report. For more information please contact the Assistant Vice Chancelor for Institutional Integrity & Access/Clery Act Compliance Officer at (828) 232-5658 or email oiia@unca.edu . 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.