Historic Cemeteries Coordinator

Oregon Metro; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Metro in the Portland area seeks a Historic Cemetery Coordinator to support families, funeral professionals, and staff across fourteen historic cemeteries. You will manage contracts, process grave sales, titles, permits, and ensure accurate records while delivering compassionate service during difficult times.

The role blends administrative work with field duties, requiring flexibility for early mornings, evenings, and weekends, and the ability to work both indoors and outdoors

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in funeral science, human services, business administration, or related area.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in the death care industry.
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the Historic Cemeteries program, ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance with laws and Metro code.
• Serve as primary contact for families, funeral homes, and directors with compassionate service.
• Prepare, administer, and process grave purchase and sale contracts, plot titles, permits, and other documents.
• Organize funeral arrangements and burial services in coordination with providers and internal teams.
• Maintain program records and ensure compliance with state, county, and Metro requirements.

Skills

Driver's license

Background check

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in funeral science, human services, business administration, or related area

Tools

PlotBox

Job description

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Join Metro's Historic Cemeteries team and help provide meaningful service to families while preserving important community spaces. Metro's Parks and Nature department stewards more than 20,000 acres of protected land across the greater Portland region, connecting people with nature, protecting clean water, and restoring habitat.

As a Historic Cemetery Coordinator, you will play a vital role in supporting families, community members, and funeral professionals while helping manage Metro's Historic Cemetery Program. You'll work across a network of 14 unique historic cemeteries in Multnomah County, combining compassionate customer service with program coordination, records management, and contract administration.

In this role, you'll partner closely with cemetery operations staff to coordinate services, maintain accurate records, oversee contract and sales processes, and ensure families receive exceptional support during important moments. You'll also contribute to the preservation and stewardship of historic community assets while helping improve program efficiency and service delivery.

This position is ideal for someone who is knowledgeable about the death care industry, enjoys balancing administrative and customer-facing responsibilities, and is committed to providing compassionate, responsive service. The role requires flexibility to support services scheduled during early mornings, evenings, and weekends, as well as the ability to work both indoors and outdoors throughout the year in a variety of weather conditions.

This position reports to the Historic Cemeteries Program Manager and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through public service, community engagement, and historic preservation.

As a Historic Cemetery Coordinator, you will:

• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Historic Cemeteries program, ensuring efficient service delivery and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and Metro code.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for community members, grieving families, funeral homes, and directors by providing compassionate customer service, guidance, and support.
• Prepare, administer, and process grave purchase and sale contracts, plot titles, permits, certificates, writs, and other legal documents accurately and in a timely manner.
• Organize, communicate, and oversee funeral arrangements and burial services, working closely with funeral providers, families, and internal teams.
• Manage program records and business systems, maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring compliance with state, county, and Metro requirements.
• Respond to inquiries, complaints, and service requests, providing referrals, interpretations, and dispute resolution support under the direction of the Program Manager.
• Coordinate with operations staff and contractors to support cemetery maintenance needs, monitor contract performance, review invoices, and ensure adherence to contract terms and legal requirements.
• Conduct genealogical research and provide technical assistance, information, and resources to staff, community members, and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Historic Cemeteries program in interactions with Metro departments, external partners, and the public while performing a variety of office, administrative, and clerical functions.
• Review, edit, and maintain confidential documents and correspondence; identify opportunities to improve program processes and standards; and ensure vehicles, equipment, and other assigned resources are properly maintained.

Attributes for success

• Experience working with and supporting a multicultural workforce, promoting an equitable workplace environment and applying equitable program practices.
• Professionalism and discretion when addressing client matters, concerns, and confidential information.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to resolve conflict, resolve issues,and address escalated concernswith professionalism and tact.
• Detail oriented with a passion for keeping up to date in your field of expertise.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays as needed
• Sound judgment andability to maketimely, effectivedecisions infast-paced andhigh-pressuresituations.
• Proven ability to balancemultiplepriorities while maintaininghigh standards forsafety,serviceand operational effectiveness.
• Strongverbal and writtencommunication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365applicationsand cemetery/records management technology.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in funeral science, human services, business administration, or related area and
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in the death care industry or
• any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge skills and abilities required to perform the job

Required:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to successfully pass a background and driving check

Working conditions

This position combines office and outdoor responsibilities. Candidates should be comfortable working at cemetery sites throughout the year, including during periods of inclement weather, while supporting burials, family services, and cemetery operations.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

This position is designated as hybrid telework but requires onsite work at Metro Regional Center four days per week. Up to one day per week is eligible for teleworking. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro. Please note, the designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Records management experience
• Experience with PlotBox program
• Experience operating and designing cremation gardens
• Experience working with and directing volunteers and interns
• At least two years of administrative experience

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• A completed online application
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Reference check
• Background and driving check for finalist

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1: $85,311.42 to step 7: $114,400.85 annually. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1: $85,311.42 to the equity range step 4: $98,833.71 annually.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is represented by AFSCME Local 3580 union. It is classified as a Program Coordinator II.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.