Cemetery Representative

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

11 paid holidays

Annual leave (vacation)

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Cemetery Representative in Sioux Falls, SD. The role involves administrative, logistical, and analytical duties related to interment of veterans and eligible dependents, with high sensitivity to grieving families.

The position requires excellent communication, attention to detail, and knowledge of VA and state/federal policies. Responsibilities include committal services, record maintenance, and front-line public interaction, with some grounds work

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
• Knowledge of Veterans Affairs and related laws and policies.
• Ability to read and understand VA, state, and federal regulations; verify eligibility for burial.

Responsibilities

• Conduct committal services for veterans and eligible dependents.
• Provide front-line public contact in person and over the phone with sensitivity.
• Maintain burial records and applications (paper and electronic).
• Operate cemetery-specific computer applications (e.g., BOSS).
• Assist with grounds maintenance and burial operations as needed.

Skills

Public contact

Communication

Attention to detail

Customer service

Tools

BOSS

Job description

Job ID: 37191
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Salary: $19.27 to $24.50 Hourly, depending on experience
Pay Grade: F
Closing Date: 09/08/2026
This is a full-time position with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/.

The Cemetery Representative provides specialized and general clerical and technical support to the cemetery director, including administrative, logistical, and analytical activities related to the internment of qualified veterans and their eligible dependents at a State Veterans Cemetery. The incumbent will perform extensive public contact by telephone and in person, often requiring the ability to deal with a decedent's immediate family in times of emotional crisis. The nature of a cemetery and the manner in which different people view death requires great sensitivity.

This employee works on the frontlines ensuring that Veterans and their eligible family members are respectfully memorialized and honored in their final resting place. This employee will conduct committal services for veterans and their eligible dependents.

The work is primarily administrative within facilities that are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, but includes exposure to outside elements such as heat and cold, as well as wet or humid conditions. The position requires bending, stooping, and lifting cemetery records, manuals, cremains containers, and other small items. This position requires assisting with the moving of caskets placed on wheeled biers in and out of a committal shelter and caskets from vehicle to burial area. Additional duties may include grounds maintenance, burial operations, and other duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have: Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written. Great attention to detail and the ability to provide excellent customer service to all.

Knowledge of:

• Veterans Affairs and State veteran benefits.

Skill to:

• read and understand VA, State, and Federal laws and regulations;
• understand the SD Veterans Cemetery program in assisting veterans and their families, funeral directors, and all other clientele;
• verify eligibility for burial, schedule burials, and process monument orders;
• examine records for errors, missing information, incorrect document submission, and/or omissions and bring to the attention of the funeral director, next-of-kin, or supervisor;
• resolve most burial eligibility related issues based on learned situations.

Ability to:

• communicate cemetery information to Veterans, their families, funeral directors, and visitors;
• learn interment application procedures and National Cemetery Administration eligibility criteria (e.g., establish and schedule interment applications);
• maintain burial records and applications (e.g., paper and electronic);
• operate computer applications unique to the cemetery (e.g., Burial Operational Support System [BOSS]);
• conduct committal services (e.g., chaplain services and military funeral honors);
• represent the mission of the SDDVA;
• gain knowledge of Federal, state, local, NCA, and military policies and procedures for cemetery operations;
• follow state of SD/SDDVA policies for confidentiality and disclosure of information (e.g., Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act [FOIA]);
• establish and/or maintain complex records, use coding and filing systems, and retrieve and compile data;
• follow cemetery specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and daily operations.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

#LI-Onsite