Engineering Eqpt Operator

National Cemetery Administration; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Cemetery Administration in Santa Fe, New Mexico, seeks an Engineering Equipment Operator to dig graves, prepare sites, and maintain equipment. You will operate backhoes and light machinery to support interments and grave site maintenance, following safety and scheduling requirements.

Expect to work a schedule that includes overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet cemetery needs, including Memorial Day obligations, with first-echelon maintenance performed on all equipment.

Qualifications

• Operates heavy equipment such as backhoes to dig and prepare grave sites.
• Digs graves on level ground and hillsides under varying conditions.
• Performs first echelon maintenance on all assigned equipment.

Responsibilities

• Operate one or more types of heavy equipment to dig, push, and load earth for grave sites.
• Landscape grave sites by clearing brush and obstacles and prepare for interments.
• Maintain and inspect equipment; perform routine fluid checks and basic repairs.

Skills

Heavy equipment operation

Backhoe operation

Grave site preparation

Job description

• Hiring Agency: National Cemetery Administration
• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Key Responsibilities

This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFGE. Please note that as provided for in the AFGE/VA Master Agreement the FIRST area of consideration for this position will be permanent employees of the local facility in which this position is being filled, the SECOND area of consideration will be employees at other VA facilities, and the THIRD area of consideration will be all other eligibles.

Operates one or more types of heavy equipment with multiple hand and foot controls, such as a backhoe, to dig, push, pull, pile, and load earth. For example, the operator uses equipment that is fitted with a front-end loader to maneuver to a specific spot to transfer material from the ground into a dump truck. The equipment is used as a tool for the purpose of digging multiple graves and preparing grave sites for first and subsequent interments.

Landscapes grave sites by clearing brush, tree stumps, and rocks and cleaning underdeveloped land. Adjusts attachments for proper level, angle, and depth, according to the work to be done and the type of equipment used. Work is generally done on flat or rolling terrain, at new or previously landscaped grave sites with simple terrain problems. Operates backhoe in place to excavate earth composed of dirt, rock, sand, and/or clay from grave sites.

Digs graves on level ground and hillsides above or below the frost line under widely varying conditions, subject to contact with mud, ice, snow, rock, hard-pan clay, and tree stumps. Uses equipment to dig ditches in occupied grave sites for the placement of French drains and to backfill and tamp grave sites following burials.

May operate a variety of light mobile equipment and attachments used in cemetery and grounds maintenance such as tractors, trucks weighing less than 22,000 pounds, trailers, pumps, mowers, air compressors and turf vacuums. Uses powered equipment and attachments to dig holes for posts and headstones, and to pull, align and replace headstones and markers. Performs first echelon maintenance on all assigned equipment.

Checks and as needed fills or replaces oil, water, brake fluid, batteries and tires. Work schedule: May be required to work Monday through Friday to include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday.

All staff is required to work Memorial Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Position Description Title/PD#: Engineering Eqpt Operator/ PD136400 The full performance level of this position is WG - 08.

Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $28.45 – $33.17/hr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Transition' hiring path.