Grounds Specialist - Calvary Cemetery (Santa Barbara)

Archdiocese of LA•Santa Barbara, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grounds Specialist operates cemetery equipment, including tractor-driven hydraulic digging machinery and other heavy equipment, and performs cemetery groundskeeping, grave preparation, maintenance, and related duties. The role includes making working adjustments and minor repairs to equipment, maintaining a safe and orderly work environment, and assisting with funeral services. Employees represent the Roman Catholic Church and are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Church’s goals and mission.

Requirements

Class A license required for driving heavy-duty equipment.
General education sufficient to understand and follow written and oral instructions, directions, and safety rules.
Two years of experience in cemetery grounds care and operation.
Knowledge of basic English usage; procedures and safety practices for interments, entombments, disinterments, and disentombments; operation and repair of excavating, hauling, dumping, edging, and trimming equipment; and lawn, grounds, and equipment maintenance.
Skills in interpersonal relations; training, coaching, and directing others; maintaining positive public relations; and safe, efficient use of required machinery and equipment.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; plan and complete work independently; train, assign, and delegate work as needed; lift heavy objects and equipment; handle grave setups, tins, and sod carefully; and dig and backfill graves, transport vaults, and lay out graves independently after initial instruction.
Ability to lift at least 50 pounds unassisted and heavier objects with assistance from other grounds workers.
Ability to sit for sustained periods daily and perform tasks involving intermittent bending, stooping, and walking, as well as frequent movement of the fingers, wrists, hands, waist, and arms.

Nice To Haves

Courses or training in heavy equipment operation, lawn maintenance, landscaping, basic mechanics, and equipment operation.

Responsibilities

Safely operate cemetery equipment, including a backhoe, mower, sweeper, trimmer, dump truck, and other heavy equipment.
Keep equipment clean and in good operating condition; report needed equipment or building maintenance and repairs, submit monthly inspection reports, and evaluate equipment and sprinkler-system maintenance needs.
Prepare graves for interment services, seal vaults, backfill and tamp graves, replace sod, raise graves and memorials, level lawns, and transport and lay out vaults and graves.
Trim memorials and monuments; mow, edge, and sweep lawns; prune, fertilize, and water grounds; care for flowerbeds and areas around buildings; and remove flowers and care for vases.
Set up tents as needed and handle and store dirt sheets and greens.
Clean the office, perform janitorial maintenance, gather and remove trash, and perform other minor maintenance work.
Act as a funeral attendant and assist priests, patrons, and funeral directors as needed; work with management to accommodate patrons’ special circumstances.
Safely handle and secure cemetery property and equipment and ensure its proper use.
Maintain accurate records, reports, and supply inventories and submit them to the Manager/Supervisor monthly.
Follow, enforce, and maintain safety rules and regulations; maintain accurate safety records and a safe work environment.
Train, instruct, assign, or delegate work to other grounds personnel as needed, including instruction in cemetery safety procedures and policies.
Maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with management and co-workers and positive public relations with patrons, funeral directors, priests, and vendors.
Maintain a professional personal appearance and conduct appropriate to funerals and respect for the dead.
Assist a Manager/Supervisor with reviewing and evaluating other grounds personnel, as needed.
Perform other related duties as assigned.