Cemetery Caretaker Technician
Department of Veterans Affairs
Summary
This position is located at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts. This cemetery is working under a flexible concept wherein the incumbent will perform both field and administrative functions
Duties
Field Operation Duties: The Cemetery Caretaker in this position performs a variety of cemetery interment and maintenance tasks involving manual labor. The incumbent will operate a variety of equipment including, but not limited to operating utility vehicles, riding mowers, tractors, spreaders, forklifts, power pressure washers, and ugers. Must be able to operate equipment including backhoe, excavator and Bobcat. Operates licensed vehicles on public roadways to pick up and/or deliver supplies and equipment. Drives a variety of equipment which has an assortment of towed or attached accessories powered by take-off, hydraulic pumps or by direct drive from wheels. Prepares for daily interment of casketed or cremated remains, using the daily interment schedule showing names of decedents, assigned grave locations, type and depth of grave and grave liner. Administrative Operations: Performs cemetery administration specialist functions. Incumbent greets visitors including family members and general public; responds to requests and answers questions. Prepares all paperwork related to the interment process, checking work in progress and assuring that all deadlines, necessary information and procedures are met. Verifies eligibility for burial using military discharge papers and/or access to the Beneficiary Identification & Resource Locator System (BIRLS) and enters data to generate Records of Interment (ROI) in the National Cemetery Administration’s Burial Operation Support System (BOSS). Coordinates burial services between National Cemetery staff, volunteers, and funeral home directors to ensure the needs are met with respect to the next-of-kin. Work schedule: May be required to work Monday through Friday to include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Position Description Title/PD#:Cemetery Caretaker Technician/PD1573511 WG-None The full performance level of this position is WG-06 Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
Requirements
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job Subject to a background/suitability investigation Designated and/or random drug testing may be required Pass a pre-employment medical examination. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 A complete application package; including Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
How You Will Be Evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support the requirements for the position, we will not allow credit for your response(s). After the vacancy announcement closes, applications are evaluated for qualification. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your consideration for employment.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) References Other (2) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
About this role
The Cemetery Caretaker Technician position and is based in Bourne, Massachusetts. This position is located at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.
Day to day, the work involves field Operation Duties: The Cemetery Caretaker in this position performs a variety of cemetery interment and maintenance tasks involving manual labor. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship, the relevant certifications named in the posting, and a valid driver's license. It is graded at WG-06, which sets both the pay band and the level of experience reviewers expect you to document. Be prepared for a pre-employment drug screening and physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Cemetery Caretaker Technician position in Bourne, Massachusetts, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
Competitiveness for this Cemetery Caretaker Technician role depends mainly on how closely applicants match the stated qualifications. Based in Bourne, Massachusetts, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.
