Cemetery Caretaker

National Cemetery Administration • Biloxi, MS

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Mississippi. The Cemetery Caretaker performs manual and physically demanding groundskeeping and cemetery maintenance work. Duties include operating small tractors and riding lawn mowers; transplanting shrubs; digging graves to the proper level; cutting and removing sod; tamping and leveling dirt with hand and power tools; digging and squaring graves with pneumatic equipment, picks, and shovels; assisting with lifting and placing caskets on lowering devices; loading and unloading materials; aligning headstones; clearing grounds of debris; weeding, mulching, applying fertilizer, pruning shrubs and low branches, removing snow and ice, cleaning headstones, and cleaning service and administrative areas.

The work is performed outdoors in all types of weather, with exposure to noise, heat, humidity, cold, precipitation, wind, dirt, dust, motor exhaust, mud, and water. Work may take place where pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are applied, and appropriate protective equipment must be worn. The position involves operating grounds-maintenance equipment and associated injury risks.

The schedule may include Monday through Friday and occasional weekends. Staff may be required to work on Federal holidays, including Memorial Day every year, and to work overtime, weekends, or holidays as needed. Employees may occasionally be called back for emergency overtime. A compressed or flexible schedule is not available. The full-performance level is WG-06. Relocation expenses and relocation or recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• Demonstrated potential to perform landscaping, groundskeeping, or related trades work, including use of hand tools and power tools and safe operation of related machinery and equipment.
• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision.
• Possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Pass a background or suitability investigation; designated or random drug testing may be required.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Submit a complete application package, including required materials such as a resume and transcripts.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Demonstrate the job elements: dexterity and safety; interpreting instructions and specifications, including blueprint reading; technical practices; and using and maintaining tools and equipment.
• Meet the physical requirements, including heavy physical effort, walking on varied terrain, and lifting weights up to 50 pounds; heavier items are occasionally lifted with assistance.
• Wear appropriate protective equipment when required.

Responsibilities

• Operate small tractors, riding lawn mowers, and other grounds-maintenance equipment.
• Transplant shrubs and perform groundskeeping tasks, including weeding, mulching, and applying fertilizer.
• Dig graves to the proper level; cut and remove sod; and tamp and level dirt using hand and power tools.
• Dig and square graves using pneumatic equipment, picks, and shovels.
• Assist with lifting and placing caskets on lowering devices, and carry caskets or urns as required.
• Load and unload materials and move grave planks.
• Align and set headstones.
• Clean and clear cemetery grounds of debris using tools and equipment such as power trimmers, chainsaws, axes, shovels, rakes, blowers, and vacuums.
• Prune shrubs and low-level dead branches, and remove snow and ice.
• Clean headstones using a sprayer and hand brush.
• Clean service and administrative areas.
• Work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed, including Memorial Day, and respond to occasional emergency overtime call-backs.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed