Cemetery Staff Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located at the Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke, New York.
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Duties
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The incumbent, as a Cemetery Administration Specialist, will monitor committal services for compliance with the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) standards pertaining to the mission to "honor Veterans and their families with final resting places in National Shrines and with lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifices to our Nation."
The incumbent represents the cemetery and the entire NCA at committal services at the National Cemetery, and at outreach events, answering questions and providing information to Veterans regarding memorial benefits. The representative is also versed in providing information to eligible family members of Veterans regarding any memorial benefits they may be eligible to receive. The incumbent of this position performs a wide variety of administrative duties in support of cemetery operations. The specific focus is on working together with the Administrative Officer and/or Cemetery Administrator in planning and administering the cemetery operations. Additional duties include, but are not limited to: Investigation and determination of eligibility for interment activities of the National Cemetery; Performs clerical office automation and typing duties in support of the administration (which requires the use of computer software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.) and interment activities and is responsible for ensuring required reports are completed accurately and timely; Acts as clearing point for problems that arise such as: Congressional or other inquiries on eligibility for burial; continuation of reserved gravesites determination of legality and eligibility of widows, widowers and children of eligible service persons and decedents interred in the cemetery; remarried spouse interment with their first spouse, family members requesting burial with parents, children and siblings; and discrepancies in name, service number, dates of service, rank of organization, etc. Performs other duties as assigned.
Performs public outreach as needed.
Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May 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 and Veteran's 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
Telework: Not Available
Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position.
Position Description Title/PD#:Cemetery Admin Specialist / PD137070
The full performance level of this position is GS- 07. At the GS-05 level, you will perform similar duties but under closer supervision.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
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/13046313
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.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/04/2026.

• Must have the ability to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Must possess and maintain a valid REAL ID compliant state driver's license.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education, as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have three years of general experience, one year of which was equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-04) or equivalent. General experience is experience with progressive responsibility performing duties which demonstrates the ability to gather data, meet internal and external customer needs, coordinate meetings, establish and maintain an efficient filing system, use of computer software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.) to generate a variety of reports, and communicate effectively.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree or 4 years above high school education leading to such a degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR,

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 60 semester hours of under-graduate education earned..

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Self-Management
• Writing

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 is conducted outdoors in all weather conditions to include severe heat and cold. It involves walking, standing for long periods and carrying 23-35 pounds. Incumbent will be required to drive a government sedan, minivan, SUVs and/or pickup and must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license. Approximately one half of the work is performed in an outdoor setting; approximately on half of the work is performed in an office setting.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
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
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
Additional information
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/.
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.
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.
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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.