Grounds Specialist - Calvary Cemetery (Santa Barbara)

Archdiocese of Los Angeles•Santa Barbara, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Grounds Specialist operates a tractor-driven hydraulic digging machine and other heavy cemetery equipment, making necessary adjustments and performing minor maintenance and repairs. The role carries out cemetery grounds care and interment-related tasks, maintains equipment and facilities, supports funeral services, and helps ensure safe, respectful, and efficient cemetery operations. The position is full-time and non-exempt at Calvary Cemetery in Santa Barbara.

Requirements

Class A license required for driving heavy-duty equipment.
General education sufficient to understand and observe written and oral instructions, directions, and safety rules.
Two years of experience in cemetery grounds care and operation.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to plan and complete work on one's own initiative.
Ability to train, assign, and delegate workload as needed.
Ability to lift heavy objects and equipment and handle grave setups, tins, and sod carefully.
Ability to dig and backfill graves, transport vaults, and lay out graves independently after initial instruction from a supervisor or Assistant Supervisor.
Knowledge of basic English usage.
Knowledge of procedures and safety practices for interments, entombments, disinterments, and disentombments.
Knowledge of excavating, hauling, dumping, edging, and trimming equipment operation and repair.
Knowledge of lawn, grounds, and equipment maintenance.
Interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain positive public relations with patrons, funeral directors, priests, and vendors.
Skill in training, coaching, and directing others.
Ability to use required machinery and equipment safely and efficiently.
Ability to lift at least 50 pounds unassisted and heavier objects with help from other grounds workers.
Ability to sit for sustained periods daily and perform tasks involving intermittent bending, stooping, and walking.
Ability to sustain frequent movement of the fingers, wrists, hands, waist, and arms.
Employees are expected to conduct themselves according to the goals and mission of the Roman Catholic Church.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Safely operate heavy equipment and cemetery machinery, including a backhoe, mower, sweeper, trimmer, and dump truck.
Keep equipment clean and in good operating condition, and report needed maintenance or repairs to the Manager/Supervisor.
Prepare graves for interment services; seal vaults; backfill and tamp graves; replace sod; trim memorials and monuments; and raise graves and memorials and level lawns.
Set up tents and handle and store dirt sheets and greens as needed.
Mow, edge, and sweep lawns; remove flowers and care for vases; prune, fertilize, and water grounds; and care for flowerbeds and areas around buildings.
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.
Help ensure the safe, careful, proper, and secure use of cemetery property and equipment; instruct other grounds personnel on safety procedures and policies as needed.
Evaluate and recommend equipment and sprinkler-system maintenance or repairs, and submit monthly inspection reports.
Maintain accurate records, reports, and supply inventories and submit them to the Manager/Supervisor monthly.
Maintain a professional appearance and conduct appropriate to funerals and respect for the dead.
Follow, enforce, and maintain safety rules and regulations, records, and a safe work environment.
Maintain cooperative and positive work relationships with management and co-workers.
May train, assign, and delegate work to other grounds workers, and may assist a Manager/Supervisor in reviewing and evaluating grounds personnel.
Work with management to accommodate special circumstances with patrons.
Perform other related duties as assigned.