Cemetery Maintenance Apprentice/Worker/Technician

General Statement of Duties
Performs skilled and semi-skilled work in the maintenance, beautification, and upkeep of municipal cemeteries and other City-owned grounds. Responsibilities include mowing, trimming, landscaping, grave-site preparation support, monument-area maintenance, and general groundskeeping. Employees also assist with the maintenance of athletic fields, parks, and other public facilities as assigned.
Work is performed under the supervision of the Cemetery Supervisor or Grounds Maintenance Supervisor.Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logically assigned.

• Mows, trims, edges, and maintains cemetery grounds using commercial mowing equipment, string trimmers, edgers, blowers, and related equipment. 
• Plants, waters, fertilizes, prunes, and maintains trees, shrubs, flowers, and landscaped areas. 
• Removes leaves, limbs, litter, and other debris from cemetery grounds and roadways. 
• Assists with the placement and removal of floral arrangements, wreaths, and seasonal decorations in accordance with cemetery policies. 
• Maintains cemetery roads, walkways, fences, signs, drainage areas, and related infrastructure. 
• Assists with locating grave sites and preparing cemetery areas for scheduled interments. 
• Assists funeral directors and City staff with funeral services by ensuring cemetery grounds are clean, safe, and properly prepared. 
• Does not perform grave excavation or grave closing operations.
• Performs routine inspections of cemetery grounds to identify maintenance or safety concerns. 
• Operates pickup trucks, utility vehicles, tractors, mowers, and other grounds maintenance equipment. 
• Performs minor maintenance and daily inspections on assigned equipment. 
• Assists with snow removal, storm cleanup, and emergency response activities as needed. 
• Assists Parks Maintenance staff with mowing, lining, dragging, fertilizing, irrigating, and maintaining athletic fields. 
• Assists with maintenance of parks, greenways, landscaped medians, and other municipal properties. 
• Installs and repairs fencing, benches, signs, and other park or cemetery amenities. 
• Maintains accurate records of equipment inspections, maintenance activities, and assigned work. 
• Interacts professionally and compassionately with cemetery visitors, funeral personnel, and the public. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of grounds maintenance practices and landscaping techniques. 
• Knowledge of safe operation of commercial landscaping equipment. 
• Knowledge of basic horticultural practices. 
• Ability to operate tractors, zero-turn mowers, utility vehicles, and hand tools safely. 
• Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors in varying weather conditions. 
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions. 
• Ability to work respectfully around funeral services and grieving families. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and the public. 

Education and Experience
Required:

• High school diploma or GED. 
• Experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, cemetery maintenance, parks maintenance, agriculture, construction, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Preferred:

• Experience operating commercial landscaping equipment. 
• Experience maintaining athletic fields. 
• Experience operating tractors or similar heavy equipment. 

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver's License. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required equipment certifications. 
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, or emergency call-outs when required. 
• Successful completion of pre-employment drug screening, background investigation, and, if required, physical examination. 

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a post-offer criminal background investigation, motor vehicle records (DMV) check, and urine drug screening.
• This position has been designated as Safety Sensitive under the City of Reidsville's Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy due to the operation of motor vehicles, commercial landscaping equipment, power tools, and other potentially hazardous equipment. Employees occupying this position are subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, follow-up, and random drug and alcohol testing in accordance with City policy and applicable federal and state law.
• Employees must maintain a valid North Carolina driver's license and an acceptable driving record throughout their employment. Failure to maintain these qualifications or to comply with the City's Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Physical Requirements
Work requires frequent:

• Standing and walking for extended periods. 
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds regularly and heavier items with assistance. 
• Bending, kneeling, climbing, reaching, pushing, and pulling. 
• Operating power equipment with repetitive hand and arm movements. 
• Exposure to heat, cold, rain, humidity, dust, pollen, insects, uneven terrain, and noise. 
• Working safely around vehicular traffic, maintenance equipment, and active funeral services. 

Equipment Operated

• Zero-turn and riding mowers 
• Tractors with attachments 
• Utility vehicles 
• Pickup trucks 
• String trimmers 
• Edgers 
• Blowers 
• Chainsaws 
• Hedge trimmers 
• Hand tools 
• Aerators, seeders, sprayers, and athletic field maintenance equipment 

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily outdoors under varying weather conditions. The position requires considerable physical activity and the safe operation of landscaping equipment. Employees must exercise professionalism, discretion, and respect while working in an active cemetery environment and during funeral services.
The City of Reidsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.