This position is located at the PIKES PEAK NATIONAL CEMETERY in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,07/16/2025. Your background must demonstrate leading work involved in landscaping, grounds keeping, or other related trades experience that includes the use of hand tools and/or power tools, and the safe operation of related machinery and equipment used in cemetery caretaking practices, as described in the duties section of the announcement. EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C ( www.opm.gov/qualifications/x-118c). SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligibles are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements. The screen-out element(s) for this position are/is: Ability to do the job without more than normal supervision. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. JOB ELEMENTS: Those who meet the minimum level of experience and training for the screen-out element will then be evaluated in each of the following job elements: Lead or Supervise Operate Safely (Non-Motor Vehicle) Technical Practices Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Physical demands on the incumbent consist of walking, bending, stooping, stretching, reaching, pushing, tugging and climbing. Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds. Incumbent should request assistance whenever performing tasks that require lifting more than 75 pounds. Must be able to walk in all types of terrain and soil conditions. Incumbent is required to wear personal protective equipment when appropriate. Protective equipment includes personal protection for the eyes, hearing, face, head, back, extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices and protective shields and barriers. This equipment will be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. Working Conditions: Incumbent is required to walk the grounds for extended periods (2-4 miles per a day), providing periodic assistance in using hand tools, operating equipment, and assisting in the lifting of materials weighing up to 240 pounds. Incumbent ensures headstone setting, raising, realigning, repair, cleaning, unloading, checking, verifying inscription, and storing is accomplished. Removes snow and ice from roads, walkways, and parking areas as necessary during winter weather events; using sand/salt as directed. When not serving in a work leader capacity, he/she performs duties as required by the organization. Reviews and inspects equipment and structures, accessing some areas with use of ladders, as necessary. Moderate to heavy physical effort is required. Must possess a valid state driver's license. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drugs use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
The incumbent serves as Cemetery Caretaker Work Leader for all monument activities at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. The incumbent reports to the Cemetery Foreman to provide support to all headstone/monument and grounds activities, actions, and inquiries. He/she is responsible for overseeing all daily headstone marker installation activities and for assisting in supervision and control of headstone/marker setting. The Incumbent will be Leading Teams of 1-3 to set Headstones and or Raised and Realign Sections. Incumbent will plan out Areas to be Fine-tuned and aligned and or sections needing attention due to stones shifting over time. The incumbent assigns equipment used for headstone/marker installation, columbarium niche installation, committal shelter maintenance, and gravesite/headstone layout. Assists the Cemetery Foreman in planning, scheduling, and prioritizing assignments from seasonal to long range for accomplishment of cemetery programs and projects for marker and headstone setting. The incumbent also assists the supervisor in planning for interments, grounds maintenance and facility maintenance operations on a week-to-week basis or as needed due to operational requirements of the facility. Establishes deadlines, priorities, and work sequences and plans work assignments based on general work schedules, methods, and policies set by higher level supervisors. Responsible for extensive data collection to justify process improvements. Additional duties for planning include assisting the Cemetery Foreman in developing Individual Development Plans for WG employees, five-year equipment plans, facilities, materials, and tools needed on a day-to-day or project basis. Adjusts workloads and personnel resources as required to meet these schedules, adjusting as needed to account for delays, and changes in priorities and weather conditions. Programs, work in progress and projects are reviewed on a periodic basis to ensure timeliness of completions, and accuracy within locally established guidelines. 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 Lead/ PD1647561 The full performance level of this position is WL - 08. Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required