Veterans Cemetery Caretaker I

State of Maryland•Dorchester, MD

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families is hiring a Veterans Cemetery Caretaker for the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland. Under close supervision, this entry-level position performs cemetery maintenance and operational duties while learning established procedures and practices. The employee assists experienced staff in providing dignified interment services and maintaining cemetery grounds, facilities, equipment, and appearance in accordance with State requirements and National Cemetery Administration standards. Duties include assisting with gravesite layout, preparation, excavation, graveside service equipment, lowering devices, backfilling, and restoration. Grounds work includes mowing, trimming around headstones, weeding, watering, debris and decoration removal, and snow removal. The caretaker also cleans headstones, assists with headstone installation, repairs sunken graves under supervision, and installs sod and seed. Other assigned duties may include opening, staffing, and closing the cemetery office and grounds; answering calls when office staff are unavailable; maintaining site security; providing general information and helping visitors locate gravesites; and referring concerns beyond the role’s responsibility to the Cemetery Superintendent or office staff. The employee may provide assistance in emergencies within the limits of their training and contact emergency responders. Duties also include inventorying and storing supplies, loading and unloading trucks, moving materials and equipment, and following safety instructions and product labels. Work on weekends and holidays may be required at various times during the year.

Requirements

No experience is required.
Employees assigned duties requiring operation of a motor vehicle must possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in Maryland.
Employees assigned pesticide duties may be required to apply and store pesticides in compliance with Maryland pesticide regulations and licensing requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing grounds maintenance, including mowing, trimming, edging, landscaping, and debris removal.
Experience operating or maintaining lawn mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, trucks, or other grounds maintenance equipment.
Experience with landscaping, turf restoration, headstone maintenance, sod installation, or similar outdoor maintenance activities.
Experience performing routine maintenance, cleaning, inspections, or minor repairs to buildings, vehicles, tools, and equipment.
Experience following workplace safety procedures, using hand and power tools, and interacting professionally and respectfully with the public.

Responsibilities

Assist with gravesite layout, preparation, excavation under direct supervision, graveside service setup, use of lowering devices, backfilling, and gravesite restoration.
Learn and follow proper burial procedures and National Cemetery Administration standards.
Mow grass, trim around headstones, pull weeds, water turf and flower beds, remove debris and prohibited decorations, and assist with snow removal.
Clean headstones, assist with headstone installation, repair sunken graves under supervision, and install sod and seed.
Open, staff, and close the cemetery office and grounds when assigned, and answer telephone calls when office staff are unavailable.
Maintain site security, provide a point of public contact, relay messages to the Cemetery Superintendent or designee, provide general information, help visitors locate gravesites, and explain rules for floral arrangements and other permissible items.
Refer complaints, concerns, and issues beyond the employee’s responsibility to the Cemetery Superintendent or appropriate office staff.
Provide emergency assistance within the limits of training and immediately contact appropriate emergency responders.
Maintain inventory of materials and supplies and store them properly; load and unload trucks and move materials, equipment, or furniture as needed.
Maintain a safe work environment, follow safety practices and instructions, use materials and supplies properly, and communicate effectively.