Cemetery Operations Technician
Cambridge, MA
Full Time
Entry Level
ORGANIZATION:
Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Cemetery Operations Supervisor, performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled manual labor tasks pertaining to the daily operation of the Cemetery. Duties will require the employee to work outside in all weather conditions year-round. Responsibilities include assisting with daily interment activity and installing new grave memorials. Transports event equipment and furnishings to locations throughout Mount Auburn’s campus and assists with the set up and break down of all items including tables, chairs, and tents. In addition, there will be cross training within the Cemetery Operations Department including security, cemetery services, and events operations. Performs additional tasks as assigned.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and visited by over 200,000 people each year, Mount Auburn is a National Historic Landmark, recognized as the first “rural cemetery” and the inspiration for the American Parks Movement during the 19th century. As an active cemetery, Mount Auburn inspires all who visit, comforts the bereaved, and commemorates the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty. As an accredited arboretum, Mount Auburn features 5,000 trees and more than 20,000 plants overall.
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Cemetery Operations Supervisor, performs a variety of skilled and semi-skilled manual labor tasks pertaining to the daily operation of the Cemetery. Duties will require the employee to work outside in all weather conditions year-round. Responsibilities include assisting with daily interment activity and installing new grave memorials. Transports event equipment and furnishings to locations throughout Mount Auburn’s campus and assists with the set up and break down of all items including tables, chairs, and tents. In addition, there will be cross training within the Cemetery Operations Department including security, cemetery services, and events operations. Performs additional tasks as assigned.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs routine tasks in the preparation, set-up, and completion of interments by machine and/or by hand. Installs and removes equipment such as lowering devices, dress greens, ladders, 8x4 plywood sheets, tents, and casket carriers.
- Performs tasks to assist with the setting of new monuments and the digging and pouring of foundations.
- Under general supervision, performs tasks requiring knowledge and experience operating a variety of general maintenance equipment such as backhoe, dump truck, turf vehicles, and concrete mixer.
- Assembles and breaks down tables, chairs, podiums, easels, flipcharts, tents and shade structures, and other furnishings according to the day’s setup needs.
- Communicates effectively and timely to department leaders, co-workers, and management by telephone, e-mail, or in person.
- Maintains hours worked and time off requests for payroll using an automated timekeeping system (Paycom).
- Works overtime hours as needed.
- Performs other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
As with all Cemetery staff, assist with any cemetery business including special meetings, conferences, Friends events and public programs as needed.
Demonstrate responsible stewardship for the environment when planning and implementing all duties incorporated in job description.
REQUIRED PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
- Knowledge and familiarity with general labor hand tools, power tools, and terminology.
- Able to use a ruler, tape measurer, map, and use basic math skills.
- Some knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office applications is required.
- Ability to communicate fluently in English with staff, vendors, and clients is required. Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Massachusetts 2B Hoisting license.
- Heavy work that includes moving and adjusting including shoveling snow, dirt and/or loam as needed and assigned.
- Must follow all safety policies and regulations to contribute to a safe working environment and participate in all safety trainings and safety meetings.
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Work independently and under supervision.
- Establish priorities and organize work. Willing to accept more responsibilities at supervisor’s discretion as time warrants.
- Work under stressful situations and be flexible as work demands.
- Mechanical experience is a plus.
- Work occasional overtime hours on Saturdays.
As with all Cemetery staff, assist with any cemetery business including special meetings, conferences, Friends events and public programs as needed.
Demonstrate responsible stewardship for the environment when planning and implementing all duties incorporated in job description.
REQUIRED PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Work outside in all weather conditions including cold, heat, snow, rain, and other harsh weather.
- Heavy work that includes moving, adjusting, or carrying objects such as caskets and other interment equipment including, 8x4 plywood sections, and interment greens as well as operating a jackhammer, backhoe and other heavy equipment.
- Communicate with two-way radios.
- Move in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments for an extended period including remaining in a stationary position and/or performing activities such as climbing, carrying a ladder above and beneath ground, kneeling, bending, twisting, reaching and pulling in tight and/or confined spaces.
- Drive Cemetery equipment as needed (trucks, tractors, trailers, GEM carts, Toros).
- Move in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including Cemetery grounds and buildings, and varied terrain.
- Heavy work that includes moving, adjusting, or carrying objects weighing up to 80 pounds.
Mount Auburn Cemetery is an equal-opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship status, physical or mental ability, military status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
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