Engineering Eqpt Operator.

About the Role

Operates one or more types of heavy equipment with multiple hand and foot controls, such as a backhoe, to dig, push, pull, pile, and load earth. Uses equipment fitted with a front-end loader to transfer material from the ground into a dump truck. Prepares grave sites for first and subsequent interments by digging multiple graves and landscaping sites, including clearing brush, tree stumps, rocks, and cleaning underdeveloped land. Adjusts attachments for proper level, angle, and depth based on the work and equipment used.

Work is generally performed on flat or rolling terrain at new or previously landscaped grave sites with simple terrain problems.

Responsibilities

• Operate heavy equipment such as backhoes, front-end loaders, graders, tractors with bulldozer or angledozer blades, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments.
• Dig, push, pull, pile, and load earth to prepare grave sites.
• Landscape grave sites by clearing brush, tree stumps, rocks, and cleaning underdeveloped land.
• Adjust equipment attachments for proper level, angle, and depth.
• Interpret instructions and specifications for mobile equipment operations.
• Operate motor vehicles safely and perform work practices without more than normal supervision.

Schedule

• Work schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends required.
• Cannot close the cemetery for more than 2 consecutive days; staff may be required to work on Federal holidays or adjacent Saturdays if the 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

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• May be required to undergo designated and/or random drug testing.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• Must pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license.
• Selected applicants will complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement (08/17/2026).

• Background must demonstrate experience operating equipment such as graders, tractors with bulldozer or angledozer blades, front-end loaders, backhoes, trench diggers, and large industrial tractors with pan or scraper attachments.
• No specific length of training or experience is required, but applicants must show evidence of sufficient scope and quality of ability to perform the duties of the position. This evidence must be detailed in your resume.
• Applicants will be rated based on the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C, with initial evaluation against the screen-out element: Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision and possession of a valid REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license.
• Job elements evaluated for qualified applicants include:
  • Interpret Instructions, Specifications (mobile equipment operations)
  • Operate Motor Vehicles Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle)
  • Work Practices without more than normal supervision

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and may provide valuable training. Part-time experience will be credited based on time spent in appropriate activities. Applicants must clearly indicate the nature of duties, responsibilities, and hours worked per week in each position.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy physical effort is required, including reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate equipment controls.
• Frequent vibration, jerking, and jolting from operating over rough surfaces.
• Perform exacting work, such as digging with a backhoe to close tolerances, requiring considerable manipulation of controls.
• Work in awkward or strained positions due to the location of controls and attachments.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in all types of weather, often in open vehicles without air conditioning.
• Exposure to hills, slopes, grades, rolling surfaces, and forests.
• Risk of injury from equipment overturning or proximity to obstacles such as underground gas/electric lines, water/sewer lines, drains, curbs, trees, and grave markers.
• Exposure to noise, vibration, dust, dirt, and fumes from motor and exhaust.

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 details.