GROUNDS EQUIP OPERATOR, SR*

Work Arrangement:

Requisition Number: 265662

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location:

Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: CENTRAL ADMIN MANAGEMENT CTR

Date: Feb 27, 2026

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Be You.

As a Grounds Equipment Operator, you’ll support the beauty, safety, and functionality of Duke University’s grounds, gardens, golf course, and forests. Your hands-on expertise helps create welcoming, well‑maintained spaces where students, faculty, staff, and visitors can thrive.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

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

Experience

Work requires one year experience in grounds equipment operation. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Ability to work outdoors required.

Be Bold.

Use your technical skill and operational know‑how to take on a role that keeps Duke’s outdoor environments running smoothly. You will perform skilled duties in operating complex equipment in the maintenance of Duke University grounds, gardens, golf course and forests.

What You’ll Do:

Operate street sweeper to sweep Duke University streets, roads and parking lots.
Operate tractor with front end loader to move dirt, brush, trash and other material and to transplant trees, shrubs and hedges.
Operate backhoe to dig ditches and holes. Operate farm-type tractor to maintain lawns, roads, walks, and fairways, building and maintain roads and fire breaks.
Operate truck rated at greater than 10,000 pounds gross capacity to haul material in grounds, gardens, golf course and forests maintenance.
Perform routine maintenance on equipment as required; determine when equipment is in need of repair and inform appropriate authorities

Choose Duke.

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD 18.32/HR to $21.35/HR. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits

Ready to Make a Difference?

Apply now and help us cultivate a campus environment where learning, discovery, and community can flourish.

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.

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.