Cemetery Caretaker

US National Cemetery Administration; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington, is seeking a dedicated Cemetery Caretaker to perform landscaping and groundskeeping tasks across the grounds. The role involves operating hand and power tools and machinery, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring safe, respectful care of burial grounds.

Candidates must be able to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and meet the strenuous physical demands of the job.

Qualifications

• Candidates must show potential to perform landscaping/groundskeeping duties using hand and power tools and operate cemetery care equipment safely.

Responsibilities

• Perform landscaping and groundskeeping tasks at the cemetery.
• Maintain and use tools and equipment and follow safety directives.
• Work outdoors in all weather and handle heavy physical tasks as described in the position requirements.

Skills

Supervision level

Valid state driver’s license

Job description

This position is located at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026.

Candidates must demonstrate the potential to perform the duties involved in landscaping, groundskeeping, or related trades, including the use of hand tools, power tools, and the safe operation of machinery and equipment used in cemetery caretaking practices. Evidence of this potential can be shown through work, training, or relevant activities that indicate the potential to perform these duties effectively.

Experience

Candidates must demonstrate the potential to perform the duties involved in landscaping, groundskeeping, or related trades, including the use of hand tools, power tools, and the safe operation of machinery and equipment used in cemetery caretaking practices. Evidence of this potential can be shown through work, training, or relevant activities that indicate the potential to perform these duties effectively.

Screen-Out Element

Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements.

• Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

Job Elements

Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements:

• Ability to do the work of a Cemetery Caretaker without more than normal supervision.
• Technical Practices.
• Ability to interpret Instructions, Specifications, and Directives.
• Ability to maintain tools and equipment.
• Ability to work safely.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note

A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements

This position requires heavy physical effort with reaching, bending, turning, and moving hands, arms, feet and legs to operate the different sets of controls while operating the equipment and attachments. The Incumbent may be subjected to considerable strain caused by vibration, jerking, and jolting of the equipment over rough surfaces and the need to operate controls in awkward positions. Heavy effort is frequently exercised when performing duties such as tamping, carrying caskets/urns, lifting/moving grave planks, setting headstones, etc. Incumbent must be able to walk on hilly, flat, or rolling terrain. This position requires the employee to life weights up to 50 lbs. Occasionally items weighing more than 50 lbs are lifted with assistance from co-works. Employee may be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA for up to eight (8) hours per day. This exposure may adversely affect hearing.

Working Conditions

Work must be performed outdoors, and incumbent will be exposed to all types of weather throughout the year. Incumbent will be exposed to the sun, noise, extreme heat, and humidity, cold, snow, rain, wind, and is subject to dirt, dust, fumes (from motor and exhaust) mud, and water. Work is performed in areas where pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers are applied. Appropriate protective equipment will be worn. The operator is exposed to injury from mishaps that may be involved in the operation of grounds maintenance equipment.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.