Cemetery Superintendent

About the role

Every service at Santa Fe Memorial Gardens depends on the grounds being ready. The grave must be opened in the right place, the setting must be peaceful, and each family must be met with care. You'll run that operation hands-on, from the backhoe seat to the crew schedule. If you've run a crew, managed a well-fed irrigation system with ponds, and can operate a backhoe, you already have the core skills; we'll train you on cemetery operations.

Responsibilities

• Open and close graves with a backhoe, and handle cremation interments and graveside setups
• Verify every burial location against cemetery maps, work orders and authorizations before digging
• Set, level and reset markers, monuments and foundations, and correct sunken or uneven graves
• Operate and maintain the irrigation system, including the well and pump, main and lateral lines, valves, controllers and heads
• Maintain ponds and water features, including pumps, water levels, circulation and water quality
• Manage water use carefully in Santa Fe's high-desert climate
• Supervise and train a small grounds crew: set daily priorities, assign work and check quality
• Keep accurate interment records, work orders, equipment logs and supply inventories
• Maintain turf, trees, landscaping, roads and walkways, and plan seasonal grounds work
• Perform preventive maintenance on equipment and coordinate repairs
• Enforce safe practices for excavation, equipment and PPE
• Coordinate with funeral home and office staff, and treat families and visitors with respect

Requirements

• 3+ years of backhoe or excavator operation
• 2+ years supervising a crew (cemetery, golf course, parks, landscape or construction)
• Hands-on irrigation repair and troubleshooting, including main and lateral line repair, valves and controllers
• Experience with work orders, maps or job records
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check

Qualifications

• Cemetery or grounds maintenance experience
• Experience setting markers, monuments or foundations
• Experience with well pumps, pond pumps or water features
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Pesticide applicator license preferred
• Familiarity with cemetery or work-order software

Pay

$23–$26, depending on experience

Benefits

• Medical (with HSA and FSA options)
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays

Schedule

Monday–Friday, with weekend and holiday service coverage as needed