A Cemetery Superintendent is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of a cemetery or group of cemeteries. The areas of superintendent responsibility include but are not limited to managing funeral services and related operations, visitor programs and services, cemetery grounds, recordkeeping, and associated budgets, grants, and/or contracts. Employees are also responsible for supervising assigned cemetery personnel and ensuring safety and security of the cemetery and visitors.
Nature and Scope
An employee in this class receives general direction and guidance from an administrative supervisor or higher in terms of broad goals and objectives; the employee establishes the methods for achieving goals and objectives and supervises daily operations. Work includes overseeing and managing all aspects of cemetery operations, fiscal planning and control, staffing, and grounds maintenance and beautification. Concurrently, the employee inspects facilities for hazards, determines and takes corrective measures, and ensures the safety and quality of visitor experience, funerals, and events. Significant aspects of work include supervising and providing technical guidance to personnel, overseeing the cemetery grounds and facilities maintenance, determining the direct and indirect needs of the cemetery and its staff, coordinating and organizing cemetery events, and estimating cost, time, and resources for the completion of special cemetery projects. In addition, employees perform office management and record-keeping duties.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.
Manages the maintenance of cemetery grounds by supervising the daily operations; coordinating activities; assigning projects and reviewing progress; inspecting grounds; and supervising work performed by staff and other outside agencies.
Supervises two or more merit full time positions. The elements of supervision include performing the following on a regular and continuing basis: planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, disciplining, and recommending hire, termination, and promotion.
Plans, coordinates, and manages maintenance, visitor programs and services, and associated budgets, grants, and/or contracts, to ensure all areas and facilities are functioning according to established standards.
Oversees funeral service operations; locates and marks graves; coordinates with funeral directors; supervises vault installation and ground maintenance staff; coordinates with personnel to dig foundations; inspects finished products; and coordinates installation with the monument company.
Performs administrative duties for assigned cemetery which may include but is not limited to maintaining ledgers and journals, monitoring expenditures and reviewing financial reports; maintaining lot records, tracking customer inquiries, preparing activity reports, and reconciling records; and tracking sales, verifying ownership and burial rights.
Interprets and applies National Cemetery Administration (NCA) laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, or procedures, and works to ensure the safety and security of the cemetery and visitors.
Assists in the development of the cemetery's operating and capital budget for review and approval by the supervisor, develops and manages contracts and ensures compliance with contract terms.
Develops and implements an effective maintenance program for equipment, grounds, and facilities.
Monitors programs, services, and performance, and makes changes for improvements and compliance.
Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
Delivers excellent customer service to internal and external customers and the public in person, electronically, or by written communication.
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The listed knowledge, skills, and abilities give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSAs listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the needs of every position in the class.
Note: Employees are not required to be proficient in the KSAs listed in this section at entry, but within six months to one year of performing work as described in each level of work.
Knowledge of applicable state, federal, and regional laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of military honors provided during funeral services.
Knowledge of budget, grant, or contract management and control.
Knowledge of staff supervision.
Skill in planning, staffing, managing and evaluating all aspects of cemetery operations and making changes to ensure quality, effectiveness, and compliance with NCA or similar regulations.
Skill in overseeing support services to include facilities management, equipment management/repair inventory and grounds maintenance.
Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
Skill in interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures pertaining to areas of responsibility.
Skill in ensuring compliance of cemetery operations and costs with agency budget, applicable agreements, grants, or contracts, and department, state or federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Ability to develop effective ground, facility and maintenance programs and improvements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people and agencies.
Ability to set staff priorities, performance standards, and monitor outcomes.
Job Requirements
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Cemetery Superintendent
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
Three years’ experience performing groundskeeping work or maintaining a cemetery facility.
Three years’ experience in compiling, analyzing and reporting on financial data to ensure effective and efficient accounting of funds or to make projections for financial planning.
Three years’ experience in estimating cost, time and materials for projects.
Two years’ experience in ensuring compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Coursework, training and/or work experience in staff supervision which may include performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others.
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