Grounds Specialist

Sci Corp; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Sci Corp in Newport News, VA is seeking an entry-level Groundskeeper to maintain cemetery and funeral home grounds, ensuring a respectful and well-groomed appearance across sites.

The role involves outdoor work in all seasons, operating lawn care equipment, and assisting with interments under supervision. No prior funeral industry experience required; applicants with basic landscaping experience welcome.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 6 months landscaping or related experience.
• Funeral industry experience preferred.
• Ability to operate hand-held tools and equipment safely.

Responsibilities

• Mows grass, plows snow, waters lawns, fertilizes and trims shrubs, tends flower beds and regularly inspects assigned work areas to ensure proper standards are maintained.
• Operates lawn and grounds equipment including push and power mowers, snow blowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers and other related power equipment.
• Removes debris and trash from grounds. May include turning down vases and removing wilted flowers.
• Participates on teams for openings and closings for interments, entombments and inurnments.
• Assists in determining the location and layout of individual graves with assistance, complying with verification procedures.

Skills

Hand tools operation

Communication skills

Teamwork

Measuring devices

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Lawn mower

Weed trimmer

Leaf blower

Snow blower

Shovel

Sledgehammer

Job description

Our associates celebrate lives. We celebrate our associates.

Entry-level role maintaining the grounds provided at a cemetery or funeral home location(s). Performs all groundskeeping and maintenance matters on the properties and maintains the overall appearance of a cemetery, mausoleum or funeral home location. Incumbent gains an understanding of how a cemetery operates.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mows grass, plows snow, waters lawns, fertilizes and trims shrubs, tends flower beds and regularly inspects assigned work areas to ensure proper standards are maintained
• Operates lawn and grounds equipment including push and power mowers, snow blowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers and other related power equipment
• Removes debris and trash from grounds. May include turning down vases and removing wilted flowers
• Participates on teams for openings and closings for interments, entombments and inurnments
• Assists in determining the location and layout of individual graves with assistance, complying with verification procedures
• May perform minor repairs to the cemetery, building systems or equipment
• May perform some of the duties associated with cremations such as maintaining inventory and complying with federal and state cremation regulations under supervision
• May assist in moving and installing burial vaults
• Must follow safety rules and ensure compliance with the operating procedures of corporate, federal, state and local regulations, including OSHA regulations and Safety and Environmental guidelines
• This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the essential functions or duties related to this job

MINIMUM Requirements

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required

Experience

• Minimum (6) months relevant experience in landscaping, general construction, warehouse, physical labor demonstrating steady employment
• Funeral industry experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to operate hand-held tools and equipment, including, but not limited to a shovel, pick, rake, sledgehammer, lawn mower, weed trimmer and leaf blower
• Ability to accurately use measuring devices (i.e. tape measure, yard-stick, etc.)
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions
• Physically agile and dexterous
• Ability to operate equipment in a safe and careful manner
• Ability to effectively work with others to accomplish tasks
• Ability to communicate effectively with associates, contractor personnel and client families
• Basic computer skills to enable retrieving and responding to email communications

Work CONDITIONS

Work Environment

• Work outdoors during all seasons and weather conditions
• Comply with Field dress code policy

Work Postures

• Frequent, continuous periods of time standing, up 6 hours per day
• Climbing stairs to access buildings frequently

Physical Demands

• Lifting, pushing, pulling up to 50 pounds

Work Hours

• Working beyond “standard” hours as the need arises
• Schedule may fluctuate, if a need arises, to an earlier or a later shift

Postal Code: 23606

Category (Portal Searching): Cemetery Maintenance

Job Location: US-VA - Newport News