Veterans Cemetery Groundskeeper

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 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.