Groundskeeper

Brief Job Description: St. Joseph Cemetery is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Groundskeeper to join our team. This unique position involves maintaining our grounds while providing dignified grave preparation and assistance to families and lot owners. The grounds keeper position is responsible for the maintenance and overall care of the St. Joseph Cemetery grounds. This position coordinates the outlined duties with outside agencies to provide the highest quality care for our landscape, bereaved families and visitors

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Grounds Maintenance
• Lawn mowing, hedge trimming, planting and caring for flowers, shrubs, and trees.
• Keep pathways, memorials and surrounding areas clean and well-kept.
• Perform seasonal tasks such as snow removal and leaf clearing.
• Manage irrigation, fertilization, and pest control of plants and grass areas.
• Operate cemetery equipment including but not limited to chain saw, mower and lawn equipment, snowplow, etc. Grave Digging and Preparation
• Prepare gravesites with accuracy and respect, ensuring proper dimensions.
• In cooperation with cemetery management, schedule and supervise the layout of graves and complete all duties for opening and closing of graves.
• Install and ensure that markers are recorded and placed.
• Safely operate digging equipment and tools including but not limited to skid steer, excavator, shovels, and back hoes.
• Backfill graves and restore surrounding grounds after services.
• Oversee and lead crypt and niche openings and closings.
• Guide funeral processions on grounds as requested.

Family Assistance
• Assist families in a respectful, compassionate manner.
• Provide guidance with graveside services when requested.
• Communicate with funeral directors and cemetery staff to ensure a smooth, respectful service.

General Maintenance and Other Duties
• Maintain the safety of buildings and grounds for visitors and personnel.
• Perform light repairs and maintenance of equipment and tools.
• Keep storage areas and equipment organized.
• Report any grounds or equipment issues for timely resolution.
• Direct the maintenance and repair of fences, roads, signs, water, and sewer lines, etc
• Keep work location, shop and break rooms clean and orderly.
• Follow all safety rules and regulations, bringing any safety concerns to direct supervisor.
• Work the assigned rotation to include weekends as needed
• Travel to any cemetery or church properties operated by Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish to perform the above duties as assigned.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Required Education/Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in groundskeeping, landscaping, or related fields is preferred. • Experience with lawn and garden equipment required.
• Valid New York State driver’s license
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Strong attention to detail and a respectful approach to handling graves and memorial spaces.
• Compassionate demeanor and ability to assist grieving families with care and sensitivity.
• Physical stamina to handle lifting, digging, and outdoor manual tasks.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk, hear and see. The employee must also be able to read, write and use a computer and mobile phone. The employee must lift and/or move 100 lbs. regularly, including a 2 foot by 1 foot granite marker. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Long periods of standing, walking and using outdoor equipment over various terrain such as steep inclines, uneven ground and not afraid of heights. This job primarily operates in an outdoor setting where exposure to outside elements and variable weather are on a regular basis. There is also exposure to dirt, dust and cleaning supplies routinely. Regular use of equipment and tools is required. Frequent travel to any other cemetery or church properties operated by Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish is required as necessary.

Benefits:
• 403(b)
• Dental insurance is available
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance is available
• Paid time off

Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends and evenings as needed

How to Apply: By mail or e-mail rnalbone@nfrcfamily.church, no later than 05/15/2026

Salary: $20.00 to $22.00 per hour