Horticultural Attendant

State of Louisiana; Leesville (LA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs in Leesville, LA, seeks a dedicated Horticultural Attendant to maintain grounds and assist with burial operations at the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. Responsibilities include mowing, planting, irrigation, and memorial area upkeep with dignity and respect.

Minimum qualifications include one year of groundskeeping experience or six semester hours in plant science or landscape field of study. Salary determined by qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Acceptance of direction and guidance from supervisors.
• Clear communication to promote understanding and engagement.
• Accountability for actions, performance and outcomes.
• Ability to follow and adapt policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist cemetery staff with day-to-day grounds maintenance activities.
• Support turf care, planting, pruning, and pest management for a respectful landscape.
• Act as liaison between horticulturist attendants and managers or contractors.
• Schedule seasonal maintenance, monitor supplies, and communicate concerns.
• Performs other related duties as required by supervisor.

Skills

Accepting Direction

Communicating Effectively

Demonstrating Accountability

Following Policies and Procedures

Education

Plant science / landscape field

Job description

About This Job

“Relentlessly advocate for Louisiana veterans and their families to ensure they receive superior customer service and support by connecting them to the benefits they have earned in service to our country, while meeting the economic, educational and employment needs of transitioning service members looking to make Louisiana their home.”
At the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA), our mission is to honor and serve Louisiana’s veterans and their families. We do this by connecting them to the benefits they’ve earned, providing dedicated support, and enhancing their quality of life through compassionate service across the state.

About This Job

“Relentlessly advocate for Louisiana veterans and their families to ensure they receive superior customer service and support by connecting them to the benefits they have earned in service to our country, while meeting the economic, educational and employment needs of transitioning service members looking to make Louisiana their home.”
At the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA), our mission is to honor and serve Louisiana’s veterans and their families. We do this by connecting them to the benefits they’ve earned, providing dedicated support, and enhancing their quality of life through compassionate service across the state.

We’re looking for a dedicated and detail‑oriented Horticultural Attendant to join our team at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery. This cemetery encompasses approximately thirty (30) acres with over 12,000 grave sites, serving deceased veterans and their eligible dependents.

In this role, the Horticultural Attendant will be responsible for performing grounds maintenance and assisting with burial operations to ensure the cemetery is maintained with the highest standards of care, dignity, and respect. Duties include mowing, trimming, planting, irrigation, and general landscape upkeep, as well as supporting interment activities and maintaining memorial areas.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.

Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.

Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to take ownership of actions, behaviors, performance, decisions, and outcomes.

Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.

If you take pride in outdoor work, are dependable, and are committed to preserving a serene and respectful environment, this could be the opportunity for you!

Minimum Qualifications

One year of experience or training in farming, the care and maintenance of trees and shrubs, or groundskeeping; OR

Six semester hours in a plant science or landscape field of study.

Job Specification

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

Job Duties and Other Information

• Assist cemetery staff with day-to-day grounds maintenance activities
• Support cemetery grounds operations by assisting with routine turf care, planting, pruning, and pest management to help maintain a respectful, clean, and healthy landscape for veterans and their families.
• Act as a liaison between horticulturist attendants and managers or contract workers when specialized issues arise, ensuring maintenance tasks align with established care practices.
• Provide practical support in scheduling seasonal maintenance, monitoring supply needs, and communicating routine maintenance concerns across cemetery locations.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned by supervisor.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type: The position will be filled by a probational appointment or promotion of a permanent state employee.

Work Location: Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville, LA (Vernon Parish)

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Alexis Scott

Human Resources Analyst

[e-mail]

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

01

CE: Communicating Effectively - How well do you share information and ideas in ways that others can understand, relate to, and act on?

• I communicate unclearly, use poor tone, and ignore the audience.
• I share main ideas clearly and adapt to the audience when reminded.
• I communicate clearly, listen actively, and explain complex ideas well.
• I craft messages that connect, inspire, and drive action across audiences.

02

CE: Communicating Effectively - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

03

DA: Demonstrating Accountability - How well do you take responsibility for your actions, results, and performance?

• I avoid responsibility, deliver poor work, and resist feedback.
• I take ownership when prompted and meet basic expectations.
• I own results, meet standards, and respond to feedback professionally.
• I drive high performance, prevent issues, and model accountability.

04

DA: Demonstrating Accountability - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

05

FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - How well do you apply rules, policies, and procedures in your work?

• I struggle to follow rules or apply policies correctly, which can lead to confusion or mistakes.
• I follow rules with support and help correct issues, but I sometimes apply policies inconsistently.
• I apply and explain policies accurately, adapt to routine situations, and help improve procedures.
• I guide others in applying policies, prevent compliance issues, and improve procedures based on experience.

06

FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

07

ADi: Accepting Direction - How well do you accept guidance, follow instructions, and adjust when given feedback?

• I resist direction, ignore feedback, and need reminders to complete tasks.
• I follow direction with reminders and often need clarification or support.
• I follow direction reliably, adjust to feedback, and complete tasks on time.
• I adapt quickly, follow through, and help others adjust as needed.

08

ADi: Accepting Direction - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.

Required Question