Cemetery Caretaker.

This position requires heavy physical labor and the ability to perform a variety of manual tasks in a cemetery setting.

Responsibilities

• Operate small tractors, riding lawn mowers, and other grounds maintenance equipment.
• Transplant shrubs, dig graves to proper levels, cut and remove sod, tamp and level dirt using hand and power tools.
• Dig and square graves using pneumatic equipment, picks, and shovels.
• Assist in lifting and placing caskets on lowering devices.
• Load and unload materials, align headstones, and clean cemetery grounds of debris using power trimmers, chainsaws, axes, shovels, rakes, blowers, and vacuums.
• Perform weeding, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning of shrubs and low-level dead branches.
• Remove snow and ice, clean headstones using sprayers and hand brushes, and maintain service and administrative areas.

Schedule

• Work schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends required.
• Cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days; staff may be required to work on Federal holidays or Saturdays when a holiday falls on a Monday or Friday.
• All staff must work on Memorial Day each year.
• Overtime, weekends, and holidays may be required to meet cemetery needs, including emergency call-backs.
• Compressed or flexible schedules are not available.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation and pre-employment medical examination.
• May be subject to random drug testing.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period; continued employment depends on performance and public interest.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required for pre-employment (e.g., REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state-issued ID effective May 7, 2025).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement (08/19/2026).

• Demonstrated experience in landscaping, grounds keeping, or related trades involving the use of hand tools, power tools, and safe operation of machinery and equipment used in cemetery caretaking.
• Evidence of potential to perform duties may include work experience, training, or relevant activities.

Job Elements

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated on the following:

• Technical Practices
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications (includes blueprint reading)
• Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). Part-time experience will be credited based on hours worked.

Physical Requirements

• Requires heavy physical effort, including reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate equipment.
• Subject to strain from vibration, jerking, jolting, and awkward positions while operating equipment.
• Frequent heavy lifting, such as tamping, carrying caskets/urns, lifting/moving grave planks, and setting headstones (up to 50 lbs; occasionally more with assistance).
• Must walk on hilly, flat, or rolling terrain.
• Exposure to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA for up to 8 hours per day, which may adversely affect hearing.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, humidity, snow, rain, wind, and exposure to dirt, dust, fumes, mud, and water.
• Exposure to pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers; appropriate protective equipment will be provided.
• Risk of injury from operating grounds maintenance equipment.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligibility depends on the type of position (full-time, part-time, or intermittent). Contact the hiring agency for more information.