Veteran Cemetery Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) has an opening for a Cemetery Caretaker - Senior position at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC).
The SWVMC is situated on state-owned farmland at the Southern Wisconsin Center, located near Union Grove, WI and provides a final resting place for eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents. Conveniently located just west of Racine, minutes from Interstate 94, the 105-acre cemetery encompasses gently rolling hills with serene, natural beauty.
WDVA employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package ; this includes paid time off so you can truly have a work/life balance! Our competitive benefits package also includes:

• Substantial leave time , including at least 3.5 weeks of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, and ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year.
• Excellent and affordable health, vision, and dental benefits .
• An exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment, plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.

Employees may also be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness . To learn more about the total value of the benefits available to employees, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator . Click here to see what working for the State of Wisconsin is all about!
The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a talented and diverse workforce . Veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified Veterans with a 30%-or-more service-connected disability are eligible for non-competitive appointment to permanent positions in the classified civil service under §230.275, WI. Stats. Please refer to the How to Apply section of this announcement for more information about applying under this provision.
The list of eligible candidates established from this announcement may be used to fill future similar vacancies (permanent, project, or Limited Term) in the next six months within WDVA.
Position Summary
This position monitors and evaluates weather and other damage to the cemetery grounds and headstones and implements necessary maintenance to ensure attractive presentation of the cemetery grounds, including proper alignment of headstones and markers.
The incumbent is also responsible for excavation and preparation of gravesites for interments and inurnments; setting-up gravesites and devices to lower caskets into grave liners; excavating graves by hand as necessary; using conservation, preservation and improvement methods and practices; removing snow and ice; applying sand to roads, walkways and building entrances; and performing daily routine maintenance on all equipment. Additionally, this position performs preventative maintenance and repair on cemetery buildings.
This position is responsible for general grounds maintenance. Lawn care (e.g., trimming, mowing, edging, etc.) is not currently a responsibility of this position.
For a full copy of the position description, click here .
Salary Information
The pay rate for this position is $22.63 an hour. Current state employees pay may vary and will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan. This classification is in Pay Schedule 03, Pay Range 12.
Job Details
The incumbent must meet the requirements to operate a State of Wisconsin Fleet vehicle.
Due to the nature of this position's duties, the work of this position will be performed outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship) at the time of application. WDVA does not sponsor work or student visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.
WDVA will conduct criminal background checks prior to an offer of employment.
A 12-month probationary period may be required.
Qualifications
Minimally qualified applicants will have training or experience:

• Operating outdoor equipment (e.g., lawn mowers, tractors, skid loaders, etc.); or
• Performing general gardening or landscaping duties .

How To Apply
To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application. For instructions, refer to the following link: Applying to State Service . A current resume must be attached to your online application.
Your resume is a very important part of your application and will be used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume for your application, click here .
Submitted materials will be evaluated and qualified applicants will be invited to an interview.
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or reinstatement) should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.
Veterans with a 30% or greater service-related disability rating are eligible for non-competitive appointments. If you meet this eligibility criteria, please send a letter of qualifications, resume, DD-214 (honorable discharge), and documentation of your service-connected disability rating (dated within 12 months) to the contact listed below. Current state employees in permanent positions are not eligible for non-competitive appointments.
Questions can be directed to Kevin Roberts at kevin.roberts@wisconsin.gov or (608) 267-7297.
Deadline to Apply
All application materials must be received by 11:59 PM on August 24, 2026.