Caretaker Manager

Virginia Department of Veterans Services; Virginia; On-site; USD 65,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services seeks a Caretaker Manager to lead the cemetery grounds team at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia. You will supervise Cemetery Caretakers and Maintenance Technicians, ensure safe operation of ground equipment, and adhere to SOPs and policies.

You will verify grave and memorial site locations and train staff in map usage and procedures. This on-site role requires hands-on operation of cemetery equipment, knowledge of irrigation and concrete work,

Qualifications

• Must know daily cemetery grounds operations including burials and maintenance.
• Capable of supervising two to six grounds employees at a medium-size cemetery (400–700 annual burials).
• Familiar with cemetery grave/cremation site location and memorial placement per SOPs.
• Basic computer programming for irrigation systems and sprinkler repair.
• Understanding of concrete slab work for benches (masonry work).
• Experience with maintenance and repair of cemetery heavy equipment; document repairs.
• Ability to train subordinate personnel and maintain training docs.
• Knowledge of snow/ice removal operations and equipment.
• Must maintain qualifications as leading cemetery heavy equipment operator and trainer.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and manage Cemetery Caretakers and Maintenance Technician.
• Oversee operation of cemetery grounds equipment and burial processes.
• Verify grave/cremation/memorial sites before opening and document completion.
• Train staff on maps, locations, and SOP compliance.
• Coordinate snow and ice removal and equipment usage.
• Perform duties assigned by Cemetery Superintendent/Director.

Skills

Grounds supervision

Operate cemetery equipment

Training staff

Irrigation system knowledge

Concrete work knowledge

OSHA awareness

Snow/ice removal oversight

Leadership/HR training

Tools

Sprinkler system programming

Job description

Job Duties

Directly reports to the Virginia's Veterans Cemeteries Superintendent in Amelia. This hands-on, working on-site position is responsible for leading, supervising, and managing Cemetery Caretakers (Senior/Team Leads) and Maintenance Technician; maintains all operational ground equipment and all operational aspects of the cemetery in Amelia. Complies with the cemeteries standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the cemeteries operational policies.

• This position is a member of the Virginia Veterans Cemeteries Management Team, responsible for the safe operation of the cemetery grounds and burial processes in coordination with the Cemeteries Director, Cemetery Superintendent and Cemetery Administration Manager.
• Responsible for verification of each grave/cremation/memorial site located at the cemetery prior to opening, in addition will verify placement of the temporary memorial marker and document completion.
• Responsible for training staff in the proper utilization of section maps to locate, verify and open/close grave/cremations sites and proper placement of memorials as directed in the cemeteries standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Responsible for the supervision of direct subordinates to safely perform all daily tasks while maintaining operational tempo and utilizing all cemetery light and heavy equipment for the purpose of making the cemetery function in a methodical manner.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Cemetery Superintendent/Cemeteries Director in matters concerning the veteran's cemetery.

Title: Caretaker Manager

State Role Title: Trades Technician IV

Hiring Range: $65,000-$67,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept of Veterans Services

Location: Virginia Veterans Cemetery

Agency Website: www.dvs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have basic knowledge of all daily operations of the cemetery grounds operation, to include burials and grounds maintenance.
• Must be capable and experienced in supervising two to six grounds employees at a medium-size burial numbers cemetery (400 to 700 annual burials).
• Versed in all aspects of the cemetery daily operations to include grave/cremation site location, grounds/tree and bush bed maintenance.
• Working knowledge of the cemeteries irrigation and sprinkler system to include basic computer programming and general sprinkler head and line repair/replacement, to include turning the system on each spring and securing the system each fall, blowing out the lines ensuring no valves, heads or lines freeze.
• Understanding of concrete slab work for benches, including concrete mixing, pouring and finish smoothing the slab.
• Understanding of gasoline and diesel equipment preventive maintenance and enforcement with the grounds crew, knowledge/enforcement of equipment prior to use practices to include all general repairs to each piece of cemetery operational heavy equipment and appropriate documentation verification for all cemetery equipment repairs made on site or off site.
• The Cemetery Caretaker Manager must be fully functional with operating of all cemetery grounds equipment.
• Must be able to train all subordinate personnel.
• Personally, creates and maintains general training/documentation of all cemetery caretakers.
• Knowledge of building maintenance and the ability to oversee minor repairs.
• Basic understanding of OSHA equipment requirements and able to lift/maneuver with the help of one additional person a 220-pound grave marker.
• Coordinates and supervise snow and ice removal from the cemetery.
• In your need for perfection as the Cemetery Caretaker Manager you will be expected/required to retain your qualifications as the leading cemetery heavy equipment operator, trainer and grounds team employee equipment only qualifier on all full size and medium-size backhoes, tractors, dirt haulers, ETC. To accomplish this and retain the needed experience you will be expected to have hands on (actually operating the equipment itself) digging grave sites as a minimum one busy cemetery burial day per week.

Additional Considerations

• Equipment Repair
• Irrigation Repair
• Participates and completes LEADERSHIP, IT, and HR classes.
• Travel to other veteran cemeteries to generate ideas that can assist Amelia to improve its operations.

May be required to perform duties outside of DVS/Cemeteries: other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Contact Information

Name: DVS HR Team
Phone: No Calls
Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.