Cemetery Caretaker Leader

US National Cemetery Administration; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 33,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon seeks a dedicated grounds maintenance professional to join our cemetery operations team. The position requires experience with landscaping, the use of hand and power tools, and safe operation of equipment used in caretaking duties.

Successful candidates will be able to lead a crew, follow technical practices, interpret instructions and directives, and maintain tools and equipment while performing outdoor work in varying weather.

Qualifications

• Experience performing landscaping or cemetery groundskeeping duties.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, and operate machinery safely.
• Experience through paid, unpaid, or volunteer work.

Responsibilities

• Lead a crew of cemetery and grounds maintenance workers.
• Maintain tools and equipment.
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications, and Directives.
• Operate equipment safely.

Skills

Groundskeeping experience

Crew leadership

Tool and equipment operation

Attention to safety

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Job description

This position is located at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2026.

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. The screen-out element(s) for this position are:

• 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 lead a crew of cemetery and grounds maintenance workers


• Technical Practices


• Ability to interpret Instructions, Specifications, and Directives


• Ability to maintain tools and equipment


• Ability to Operate 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:

Moderate to heavy exertion is required in the operation of large vehicles and equipment, to include attaching or removing implements from a tractor. Incumbent will be exposed to frequent walking, kneeling, stooping, bending and lifting more than 100 pounds.

Working Conditions:

Work is primarily performed outdoors under prevailing weather conditions, which may result in exposure to cold, rain, fog, heat and dampness. Incumbent will also be exposed to dirt, dust and mud in the performance of his/her duties.

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.