State of Maryland

A Veterans Cemetery Equipment Operator is the full performance level of work operating motorized equipment used in the care, beautification and maintenance of State cemetery grounds.  Employees in this classification also perform grounds keeping and building maintenance duties.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but may direct and provide guidance to Veterans Cemetery Caretakers or other grounds and building maintenance workers.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Veterans Cemetery Supervisor.  Employees may be subject to call-in on a 24 hour basis.  Employees may be assigned to shifts to include weekends and holidays.  Employees may be subject to limited time restrictions for completion of duties, especially when preparing for scheduled events, such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day memorial services.  Employees will occasionally interact with and assist veterans, veterans’ family members and the general public during their visits to the cemetery grounds.  The work may require the use of protective equipment, such as goggles and ear protection when operating machinery and power tools, and back braces, safety shoes and gloves when performing grounds work.  The duties may also require working in confined spaces at various heights and moving heavy objects.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Operates motorized equipment used in the care, beautification and maintenance of State cemetery grounds;

Operates various pieces of standard or specialized motorized equipment, such as heavy trucks, tractors, back-hoes, snow blowers and other snow removal equipment, pressure washers, power lawn mowers or edgers and other landscaping equipment;

Excavates graves using motorized equipment, such as a back-hoe;

Maintains roads, storm drains, parking areas, roadways and walkways on cemetery grounds;

Utilizes manual and motorized equipment to remove snow and ice from designated areas, including roofs;

Performs maintenance services on grounds equipment to include changing fluids and filters and sharpening blades, and cleaning, lubricating, washing, waxing, and replacing belts, switches, hoses, and wipers;

Properly stores equipment and tools;

Records fuel and oil consumption, replacement parts and their utilization, and mileage and hourly operation of vehicles and other equipment;

Performs minor maintenance and housekeeping of buildings, including interior or exterior painting;

Sprays for weeds and insects, in compliance with Maryland State Pesticide Law, using unrestricted chemicals as required;

Removes dead or damaged trees and other debris from cemetery grounds and ensures that lawns and grounds are properly manicured;

Plants, fertilizes, waters and prunes trees, shrubs and flowers;

May assist in marking gravesites, opening and closing graves, lowering caskets into interment receptacles, installing headstones and maintaining gravesites;

May load and unload supplies and equipment from trucks;

May move and arrange furniture and equipment for meetings, special events and memorial services;

May perform or assist other personnel with on-site emergency repairs to equipment;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the methods, materials and equipment used in the care, beautification and maintenance of grounds and buildings;

Knowledge of the procedures required to operate and maintain motorized equipment;

Knowledge of preventative maintenance required for gasoline and diesel engines;

Skill in safely operating and maintaining motorized equipment;

Skill in safely moving heavy objects;

Skill in safely operating, maintaining and repairing manual and power grounds tools and equipment;

Skill in using math to calculate gravesite space on cemetery grid system;

Skill in maintaining and caring for cemetery grounds;

Skill in using burial lowering devices in a safe manner;

Skill in the removal of snow and ice from outdoor areas;

Ability to move heavy objects and perform physical labor;

Ability to perform minor maintenance and repairs to cemetery buildings;

Ability to learn and practice all applicable safety rules and regulations in order to prevent injury to personnel and damage to equipment;

Ability to clean and maintain indoor and outdoor cemetery areas;

Ability to read warning labels and directions for the safe use of equipment, materials and supplies;

Ability to deal effectively and courteously with superiors, co-workers and the public;

Ability to follow instructions.

Education:   Completion of the Sixth grade.

Experience: One year of experience operating motorized equipment, such as tractors, snow removal equipment, power lawn mowers , back-hoes or other landscaping equipment, used in grounds maintenance work.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in motor vehicle and equipment operator classifications and construction equipment specialty codes on a year-to-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

2. Employees in this classification may be required to apply and store pesticides. Such employees shall use or apply pesticides in compliance with Maryland State pesticide regulations and licensing requirements.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit A, Labor and Trades classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.