VETERANS CEMETERY CARETAKER 1* - 10132026-81871

State of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee in Knoxville is seeking a Cemetery Caretaker 1 to perform skilled cemetery grounds maintenance and support burial operations with dignity and respect. The role reports under the Veterans Services department and requires compliance with National Cemetery Administration standards.

The position involves mowing, headstone upkeep, grave site preparation, and operating related tools and equipment outdoors in all weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school or experience equivalent to one-year full time cemetery or grounds maintenance work or one-year full time as a Veterans Cemetery Caretaker 1, with the State of Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Learns to perform cemetery grounds maintenance duties including mowing lawns, trimming hedges and vegetation around monuments, beds and buildings, maintaining flower beds, removing wilted floral arrangements, collecting and disposing of debris, and cleaning headstones to maintain the dignity and appearance of the veterans cemetery.
• Learns to assist the equipment operators with opening the graves, preparing the lowering device and lowering the casket into the grave, dressing and leveling the gravesite, and setting the Temporary Marker in line with adjacent markers. Acts as a safety spotter during burial operations to ensure all procedures are completed safely and with proper respect.
• Learns to prepare grounds for headstone placement and assists with setting headstones in accordance with National Cemetery Administration standards, ensuring proper alignment, spacing, and uniformity to maintain the cemetery's dignified appearance.
• Learns to follow daily schedule and coordinates tasks with other cemetery leads.
• Learns to prepare and apply proper chemicals for grounds to include fertilizers and pesticides.
• Learns to review the job board safety and policy updates regularly.
• Learns to operate tools, devices, and equipment according to safety rules and regulations. Checks that personal protective equipment (PPE) is in good working condition and is used accordingly.
• Learns to works outdoors in all weather conditions including precipitation (rain, snow, sleet), temperature extremes (heat and cold), and high winds to ensure cemetery grounds are properly maintained year-round.
• Additional duties as assigned or delegated.

Skills

Active Learning and Listening

Coordination

Mathematics

Time Management

Equipment Maintenance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Heavy Equipment

Power and Hand Tools

Personal Protective Equipment

Office Equipment

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Job Information

Opening Date/Time 10/13/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 10/26/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $2,925.00

Salary (Annually) $35,100.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Knoxville, TN

Department Veterans Services

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES, KNOX COUNTY

A Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) screening will be conducted prior to employment.

Qualifications

Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school or experience equivalent to one-year full time cemetery or grounds maintenance work or one-year full time as a Veterans Cemetery Caretaker 1, with the State of Tennessee.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS (NSQs)

• Applicants for this class must possess a valid driver's license.
• Applicants must be able to lift >50 lbs of materials and equipment.

Overview

The Cemetery Caretaker 1 performs skilled grounds maintenance work. This classification functions as an individual contributor under direct supervision. An employee in this class performs a variety of cemetery grounds maintenance work such as mowing grass, laying out grave sites, setting and maintaining headstones, applying fertilizers and insecticides. This class differs from Veterans Cemetery Caretaker 3 in that the incumbent of the latter functions as a lead.

• An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Learns to perform cemetery grounds maintenance duties including mowing lawns, trimming hedges and vegetation around monuments, beds and buildings, maintaining flower beds, removing wilted floral arrangements, collecting and disposing of debris, and cleaning headstones to maintain the dignity and appearance of the veterans cemetery.
• Learns to assist the equipment operators with opening the graves, preparing the lowering device and lowering the casket into the grave, dressing and leveling the gravesite, and setting the Temporary Marker in line with adjacent markers. Acts as a safety spotter during burial operations to ensure all procedures are completed safely and with proper respect.
• Learns to prepare grounds for headstone placement and assists with setting headstones in accordance with National Cemetery Administration standards, ensuring proper alignment, spacing, and uniformity to maintain the cemetery's dignified appearance.
• Learns to follow daily schedule and coordinates tasks with other cemetery leads.
• Learns to prepare and apply proper chemicals for grounds to include fertilizers and pesticides.
• Learns to review the job board safety and policy updates regularly.
• Learns to operate tools, devices, and equipment according to safety rules and regulations. Checks that personal protective equipment (PPE) is in good working condition and is used accordingly.
• Learns to works outdoors in all weather conditions including precipitation (rain, snow, sleet), temperature extremes (heat and cold), and high winds to ensure cemetery grounds are properly maintained year-round.
• Additional duties as assigned or delegated.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Situational Adaptability
• Customer Focus
• Resourcefulness
• Collaborates

Knowledges

• Customer and Personal Service
• Mechanical
• English Language

Skills

• Active Learning and Listening
• Coordination
• Mathematics
• Time Management
• Equipment Maintenance

Abilities

• Spatial Orientation
• Auditory Attention
• Depth Perception
• Multilimbed Coordination
• Prolonged Stamina

Tools & Equipment

• Heavy and Light Equipment
• Equipment Implements and Attachments
• Power and Hand tools
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Office Equipment