Cemetery Administration Specialist

National Cemetery Administration•Kent, WA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cemetery Administration Specialist is based at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. The role monitors committal services for compliance with National Cemetery Administration standards and represents the cemetery and NCA at committal services and outreach events. The specialist answers Veterans’ questions about memorial benefits and provides information to eligible family members about benefits they may receive. The position performs a broad range of administrative duties supporting cemetery operations, working with the Administrative Officer and/or Cemetery Administrator to plan and administer operations. Duties also include determining eligibility for interment, completing clerical and office automation work, and ensuring required reports are accurate and timely. The specialist serves as a clearing point for complex questions and problems involving burial eligibility, reserved gravesites, family-member interments, and discrepancies in service or personal records. Public outreach is performed as needed. The required schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff may be required to work Federal holidays, Saturdays, weekends, overtime, or emergency call-backs to meet cemetery needs. All staff must work Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. The position is not eligible for a compressed or flexible schedule and is not virtual or remote. Approximately half the work is outdoors and half in an office. Outdoor work occurs in all weather conditions; duties involve walking, standing for extended periods, and carrying 23–35 pounds. The employee must drive government vehicles and maintain a valid state driver’s license compliant with REAL ID requirements.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent, including relevant administrative, customer-service, computer-software, prioritization, deadline, issue-resolution, and public communication experience; or qualifying education; or a combination of education and experience.
For current or former Federal employees subject to time-in-grade requirements, 52 weeks at GS-05 for a GS-07 position.
Ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
Possess and maintain a valid REAL ID-compliant state driver's license.
U.S. citizenship.
Subject to a background/security investigation; males born after December 31, 1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, walk and stand for extended periods, carry 23–35 pounds, and drive government vehicles.
Ability to use computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
Relevant competencies include attention to detail, customer service, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, reading comprehension, and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

One full year of graduate-level education from an accredited college or university; or a bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement, as defined in the announcement, may substitute for specialized experience.
Experience gathering data, coordinating meetings, maintaining filing systems, generating reports, meeting customer needs, establishing priorities, meeting deadlines, resolving customer conflicts constructively, and communicating with the public under stressful situations.

Responsibilities

Monitor committal services for compliance with National Cemetery Administration standards.
Represent the cemetery and NCA at committal services and outreach events; answer Veterans’ questions and provide information about memorial benefits.
Provide eligible family members with information about memorial benefits.
Work with the Administrative Officer and/or Cemetery Administrator to plan and administer cemetery operations.
Investigate and determine eligibility for interment activities.
Perform clerical, typing, and office-automation duties supporting administration and interment activities.
Prepare and ensure required reports are completed accurately and on time.
Serve as a clearing point for questions and problems involving burial eligibility, reserved gravesites, family-member interments, and discrepancies in names, service numbers, service dates, ranks, or organizations.
Perform public outreach as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Work overtime, weekends, holidays, or emergency call-backs when necessary to meet cemetery needs.