Becoming a Cemetery Caretaker at Florence National Cemetery

Working for the federal government provides rare opportunities to combine stable compensation with a profound personal mission. The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), is seeking a dedicated Cemetery Caretaker to maintain the grounds at Florence National Cemetery in South Carolina.

This vital position ensures that our nation's fallen service members and their family members are honored with immaculate, dignified final resting places. Positioned within the Wage Grade (WG) pay system at the WG-06 level, this role offers an hourly pay scale of $23.74 to $27.70 per hour alongside comprehensive federal benefits.

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About the Agency: National Cemetery Administration

The National Cemetery Administration traces its solemn duty back to President Abraham Lincoln's promise to care for those who have borne the battle and their families. Today, the NCA maintains dozens of national cemeteries across the United States, transforming each location into a national shrine that commemorates military service.

At Florence National Cemetery, team members maintain high standards of compassionate care. Employees ensure that every visitor—whether a grieving family member or an visiting citizen—experiences an environment characterized by quiet dignity, meticulous landscape maintenance, and utmost respect.

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Job Responsibilities & Daily Tasks

The Cemetery Caretaker position relies heavily on manual skill, trade knowledge, and physical stamina. Caretakers do not simply mow lawns; they carry out complex groundskeeping operations, operate specialized machinery, and actively support committal services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Grounds Keeping & Horticulture: Cutting sod, weeding, mulching, applying fertilizer, planting shrubs, and pruning low tree branches across hilly or rolling terrain.
• Equipment Operation: Safely maneuvering riding lawn mowers, small tractors, power trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and pressure washing units.
• Gravesite Preparation & Interments: Using pneumatic equipment, picks, and shovels to dig and square graves to precise measurements; assisting with placing caskets on lowering mechanisms.
• Headstone Maintenance: Transporting, setting, leveling, and aligning stone grave markers; cleaning headstones using specialized chemical sprayers and hand brushes.
• Infrastructure Maintenance: Removing snow, ice, and fallen debris from walkways, roads, service areas, and administrative buildings.

Work Schedule Considerations

Because national cemeteries serve families during critical moments, operational continuity is essential. Facilities cannot close for more than two consecutive days. Caretakers may work Monday through Friday but must remain open to weekend shifts, emergency overtime callbacks, and working on federal holidays—including mandatory duty every Memorial Day.

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Requirements & Physical Demands

This position demands strong physical resilience and technical reliability. Before applying, ensure you meet all baseline federal requirements.

Core Qualification Checklist

1. U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship.
2. Driver's License: A valid state driver's license must be maintained throughout employment.
3. Screen-Out Element: Candidates must demonstrate the ability to execute duties safely and effectively without more than normal supervision.
4. Pre-Employment Screening: Successful candidates must pass a physical examination, background suitability investigation, and pre-employment drug testing (urinalysis).
5. Probationary Period: A one-year probationary period is required upon entry.

Physical Working Conditions

Cemetery caretaking is intense, outdoor manual labor. Caretakers work through summer humidity, severe sun exposure, winter cold, rain, mud, and wind. Daily tasks require continuous reaching, bending, lifting, and operating vibrating machinery that exerts physical strain.

• Lifting Requirement: Ability to lift weights up to 50 lbs independently, and heavier objects with assistance.
• Noise & Chemicals: Exposure to engine noise above 85 dBA (requiring hearing protection) and active exposure to fertilizers, insecticides, and exhaust fumes.

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Salary & Position Breakdown

Federal blue-collar positions are structured under the Federal Wage System (FWS). This job is classified at the WG-06 level.

Position Aspect	Federal Cemetery Caretaker (WG-06)	Commercial Landscaping Role
Starting Wage	$23.74 – $27.70 per hour	Variable (often local minimum wage standard)
Retirement Plan	FERS Pension + TSP 401(k) matching	Rarely offers pension options
Leave Benefits	Paid Annual, Sick, and Federal Holidays	Often limited paid leave
Job Security	High (Federal Career Status after probation)	Seasonal or market-dependent
Mission Focus	Honoring Military Veterans	Commercial profits

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Benefits of Federal Employment

Joining the Department of Veterans Affairs includes access to the federal government's benefit package:

• Health & Wellness: Choose from dozens of medical plans under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, alongside dental and vision coverage.
• Retirement Planning: Secure your financial future with the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which includes agency matching contributions up to 5%.
• Paid Time Off: Earn paid annual leave for vacations, dedicated sick leave for health needs, and paid time off for official federal holidays.

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Step-by-Step Application Tips

Federal resume submission rules have evolved. Follow these strategy tips to ensure your application passes HR screening:

1. Respect the 2-Page Resume Limit: Starting in late 2025, federal guidelines strictly limit resumes to two pages. Resumes exceeding two pages will be rejected automatically.
2. Address the Screen-Out Element Explicitly: Describe past work, volunteer experience, or trade training showing you can operate power tools and landscaping machinery independently.
3. Quantify Work Hours: Specify exact start and end dates along with average weekly hours (e.g., "40 hours/week") for every job entry. Part-time hours are calculated proportionally.
4. Format for Legibility: Use standard sans-serif fonts (such as Arial or Calibri) with 0.5-inch margins and save your finalized document as a standard PDF.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the closing date for this job vacancy?

Applications must be submitted electronically via USAJobs by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on October 30, 2026.

Is military experience required to apply?

No. This position is open to the public as well as career-transitioning federal employees. However, qualified Veterans may claim Veteran Preference during evaluation.

Where is the job site located?

The workplace is physically situated at the Florence National Cemetery in Florence, South Carolina.

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Serving as a Cemetery Caretaker with the National Cemetery Administration is more than a groundskeeping job—it is a calling dedicated to honoring those who served our nation. If you possess trade skills, a strong work ethic, and a respect for military history, apply for this rewarding WG-06 opportunity in Florence, SC today.