Cemetery Caretaker – Senior (Limited Term Employment)

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) currently has an opening for a Limited Term Employment (LTE) Cemetery Caretaker – Senior position at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NWVMC).

The NWVMC is located in Northern Wisconsin near the City of Spooner and is easily accessible off of Highway 53 between Eau Claire and Superior. The cemetery is surrounded by forest and provides a welcoming north woods atmosphere.

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce.

This position plays a vital role in maintaining a dignified and tranquil landscape which serves as the final resting place for many of Wisconsin’s veterans. The incumbent monitors and evaluates weather and other damage to the cemetery grounds and headstones and implements necessary maintenance to ensure attractive presentation of the cemetery grounds, including proper alignment of headstones and markers.

This position is also responsible for the excavation and preparation of gravesites for interments and inurnments; setting-up gravesites and devices to lower caskets into grave liners; excavating graves by hand as necessary; using conservation, preservation and improvement methods and practices; removing snow and ice; applying sand to roads, walkways and building entrances; and performing daily routine maintenance on all equipment. Additionally, this position performs preventative maintenance and repair on cemetery buildings and grounds.

The pay rate for this position will be $16.61 an hour. This position does not offer employee benefits.

This position is in pay schedule and range 03-12 and is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Due to the nature of this position, WDVA will conduct criminal background checks prior to an offer of hire.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without WDVA sponsorship) at the time of application.

Applicants for limited term employment must be a Wisconsin resident at the time of hire.

All state employees are required to report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not, and must provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment. At this time, those who are unvaccinated are subject to weekly COVID-19 testing protocols.

Minimally-qualified applicants will have training and/or experience:

• Operating heavy equipment and gas-powered machinery (e.g., vehicles, tractors, backhoes, excavators, skid loaders, portable gas-powered equipment; inspect, clean, adjust, store, transport, load/unload, etc.); and
• Performing general gardening & landscaping duties (e.g., cultivation and/or care of trees, flowers and shrubs; propagation and/or development of turf and sod; evaluation of the need for fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides; removal and/or loading of materials; core aeration and thatching; mowing and/or trimming lawns, etc.).

To be eligible for consideration for a position, complete the online application process. For instructions, refer to the following link: Applying to State Service. You will be required to attach a resume or complete a work history. You do not need to do both. To ease the application process, upload your resume to WiscJobs prior to attaching it.

Applicant materials will be reviewed after the deadline and qualified applicants will be asked to participate in the next step of the hiring process. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted via email or phone. Make certain your contact information is correct and check your messages regularly.

Veterans are encouraged to apply. For information on veterans’ hiring programs that may benefit you, go to the Employment Assistance page on WDVA’s website.

If you have questions regarding an accommodation for the application process, contact Kevin Roberts, Human Resources Specialist – Senior, kevin.roberts@wisconsin.gov.

Applications will be accepted until the needs of the Department are met.