Landscape Management Technician

**Summary** ----------- Under direction of the Cemetery Operations Manager, perform duties and functions in a maintenance and service capacity. Scope of work to include; maintain cemetery grounds and grave areas including and not limited to irrigation repair and assist in grave excavation; burial functions (opening/closing for interments, entombments, inurnments, disinterment); lawn sodding, seeding, fertilizing; monument and marker setting; manual and mechanical earth moving and lawn care equipment operation. Facilitates special events, services, and programs for Veteran’s Cemetery. **Essential Functions** ----------------------- * Plan, coordinate, conduct, a wide variety of services provided by the Veterans Cemetery, including the maintenance and landscaping of all cemetery grounds, * facilities, parking area, medians, and irrigation repair. * Execute workload and schedules set by management. Interpret and implement policies and procedures. * Make daily/periodic inspections \& repair of maintenance equipment to ensure proper operation and employee safety. * Prepare a variety of reports such as operational, activity, and equipment maintenance reports and other reports as requested; recommend purchase requisitions. * Communicate effectively with fellow workers, contractor personnel and client families, ensure that procedures and rules are followed at the facility. * Perform other duties as assigned. **Qualifications** ------------------ ***Experience:*** * Experience in small engine repair preferred. * Previous grounds maintenance experience in a cemetery field is preferred. * Must be at least 18 years of age. ***Education/Training:**** A high school diploma or a GED is required. * A valid Texas driver’s license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90\) days of employment, or a military waiver is required. * Physical exam required **Knowledge and Abilities** --------------------------- ***Knowledge of:*** * Materials, methods, practices and equipment used in facility/cemetery ground maintenance activities; place/secure headstones and niches covers. * Operate hand\-held tools such as shovels, pick, rake, sledge hammer, lawn mower, weed eater, leaf blower, and chain saw. * Use accurately measuring devices (i.e. tape measure, yard stick, etc..) * Small engine and power tool/equipment repair; maintain fences, roads, and signage * Methods and techniques used in estimating time and materials for grounds maintenance activities. * Procedures and techniques of plant material identification, selection, planning, cultivation and pruning. * Principles of understanding first aid practices and techniques; general safety protocol; understanding policies and guidelines for dealing with an emergency. * Train in mechanical/heavy equipment operations including, but not limited to: excavator, dump truck, tool cat, utility vehicle, tilt bed trailer, hydraulic jack hammer and tamper. ***Ability to:**** Perform as groundcrew during opening \& closing internment, inurnments, and assist heavy equipment operations. * Transport casketed remains from committal shelter to gravesite. * Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Veterans Cemetery mission and treat team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect. * Recommend and implement goals, objectives and practices for providing effective and efficient cemetery maintenance services. * Respond quickly in an emergency situation; follow and enforce rules; verbally communicate with the public and staff effectively. * Understand and follow oral and written instructions. * Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written. * Become familiar with the National Cemetery Administration’s and Texas Veterans Land Board regulations, policies and procedures. * Become familiar with the VA/NCA/VLB guidelines regarding veterans’ data and information sharing, placement and tracking of remains, placement and tracking of government headstones/markers and overall aesthetics of the cemetery. * Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally. ***Physical Requirements:*** Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: Heavy work. Exerting up to 100lbs. of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers, Knees, and back. Employee is required to have dexterity to preform kneeling, crouching, bending at the waist, and occasional over\-head work; extensive physical labor.