Cemetery Groundskeeper Jobs in Springfield, OH (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located at the Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.
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Duties
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This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by AFGE. Please note that as provided for in the AFGE/VA Master Agreement the FIRST area of consideration for this position will be permanent employees of the local facility in which this position is being filled, the SECOND area of consideration will be employees at other VA facilities, and the THIRD area of consideration will be all other eligibles.
The Maintenance Worker is responsible for repairing and maintaining the large and complex cemetery irrigation system. Work includes repairing and/or replacing irrigation lines, valves, solenoids, head, etc., using specialized tools. Often heads will need to be temporarily capped to ensure water from the irrigation system zones do not interfere with burial operations. The work includes maintaining the irrigation system for the 113-acre cemetery.
Duties will also include repairing and maintaining cemetery buildings, structures, and operating systems, which include heating/air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, water, sewage, sidewalks, and roads. Work includes the construction of tents, platforms, cremation and reopener boards, grave covers, shelf units, sawhorses, barricades, ramps, protective cover for cables and other special projects. Repairs fences, door walls, and other wooded objects. Repairs sidewalks, steps, floors, walls, tuck point stone on brick walls, curbs, concrete slabs, concrete control markers. Work includes but is not limited to painting interior and exterior building surfaces. Incumbent is also responsible for maintaining all buildings, walls, and other structures at Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery.
Incumbent will also operate a variety of small, motorized vehicles and equipment, such as pickups, mini excavators, dumpers, vans, and utility equipment to transport tools and materials throughout the cemetery site to affect repairs and maintain all infrastructures. Operates various pieces of equipment such as tractors, rototillers, skid street vehicles, forklifts, and other equipment to assist in performing duties associated with grounds maintenance and interment operations.
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#: Maintenance Worker/ PD1605576
The full performance level of this position is WG - 08.
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
If interested in applying for this position you may preview the online application:
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13049128
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must possess a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement,09/04/2026.
Candidates must demonstrate the potential to perform a broad range of building and maintenance trades, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, painting, masonry, pest control, asphalt repairs, and related tasks. This includes conducting repair and preventive maintenance of irrigation systems, buildings, structures, facilities, and utilities using hand and power tools. Applicants should show proficiency in at least two of these trades through work, training, or other relevant activities.
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 REAL ID compliant 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:

• Without more than normal supervision
• Use and maintain tools and equipment
• Technical Practices
• Interpret Instructions, Specifications
  (includes blueprint reading)
• Materials

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: The work requires extended periods of walking, kneeling, crouching, stooping, and climbing ladders while inspecting grounds. Climbs ladders and lifts objects weighing over fifty (50) pounds. Must have a full range of upper and lower extremities. Moderate effort required in operating vehicle and tools of the trade. Stamina, dexterity, and perseverance required in all aspects of incumbent duties. Frequent arm and leg movements are required in operation of motorized vehicles and equipment. Employee may be exposed to high noise levels. The wearing of hearing protective devices will contain the noise level to 85 dBA or below is mandatory while operating equipment noisier than 85 dBA. It is mandatory to participate in the cemetery safety and hearing program.
Working Conditions: Work is performed inside or outside with the incumbent being subjected to heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, dampness, periodic muddy conditions, poor ventilation, and dampness when inspecting grounds and exposed areas. This work may be performed over uneven terrain. The incumbent is required to use safety-protective clothing and devices. At times the incumbent will be exposed to dirt, dust, mud, water, noise, and fumes from motor vehicles and equipment.
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.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.