Groundskeeper (Weekend Crew)

Groundskeeper (Weekend Crew)

Salary

$40,687.92 - $67,979.34 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13375

Department

Parks & Recreation

Division

Cemeteries

Opening Date

08/11/2025

Closing Date

8/31/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

The City of Norfolk's Department of Parks and Recreation is currently seeking Groundskeepers for our Cemetery Landscape Services division.The Groundskeeper is responsible for cutting grass, trimming grave markers, assisting in burials, and helping keep grounds in good condition. They also participate in the grounds maintenance and landscape projects to include, but not limited to, mowing, trimming, foundation installations, tree trimming and supporting other cemetery locations. Cemetery Fund produces revenues in excess of $2.5 million.

The City of Norfolk has offered peaceful cemetery settings to area residents since 1825. Cemetery maintenance is performed reverently and carefully and ensures the preservation of a valuable part of Norfolk's cultural heritage. The Division of Cemeteries works diligently to preserve the natural beauty of our 350+ acres of green space in an urban environment while providing a place for generations of families to commemorate their loved ones.

Departmental Hiring Salary: $46,787.13

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Maintains the grounds, cleans area and assists with landscaping by cleaning sidewalks, mowing lawns, trimming trees and shrubs, sweeping, loading wood debris, feeding a chipper and using a blower to remove sawdust, chips and shavings, removing trees and stumps, operating chippers and stump grinders, raking leaves, sweeping and edging, preparing and planting flower beds, seeding the lawns, caring for plants, removing insects and picking up litter.
• Secures areas for public safety in emergencies by clearing streets, walkways, moving trash cans and loose pots, removing branches, bushes and refuse from grounds, assisting emergency personnel and being on call to respond to emergencies.
• Assists with funeral services by erecting tents, assisting with grave digging, filling in graves, disposing of funeral flowers, keeping records and preparing reports
• Provides foundation service by digging holes, mixing and pouring concrete and moving and installing markers.
• Operates and maintains vehicles and equipment by checking fluid levels, refueling, checking tire pressure, fuses and light bulbs, cleaning, adjusting and sharpening chain saws, changing and sharpening chipper blades and stump grinder teeth and greasing.

Education/Experience

Work requires the ability to read and understand written instructions, to understand simple processes and the routine operation of machines. Level of knowledge equivalent to less than high school or equivalency.

One (1) month of experience in greenhouse or landscaping or in a related field.

Additional experience required:

Position requires a normal range of hearing to enable operation of equipment around other employees and other equipment in limited areas of maneuverability; may be required to use equipment for radio communications; good peripheral vision, depth perception and color perception are required. Must be able to lift 75 pounds above shoulder; must have manual dexterity and be able to push and/or pull weights in excess of 100 pounds; must be able to stoop, climb, and bend; must be able to use ladders, stairways.

Must possess valid driver's license and attach copy of Division of Motor Vehicle driving record (obtained within the last 30 days) to the employment application.

Must be a Certified Pesticide Technician or obtain Technician Certification within 12 months.

Must have skill in the safe operation of vehicles, power tools and pneumatic tools.

Must be able to effectively supervise a crew of 2-4 employees.

Must possess ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Must understand and issue verbal instructions and directions.

Employees are trained in operation of vehicles and tools in a cemetery environment. Training limited to familiarization with cemetery operations and record keeping requirements.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Position requires a normal range of hearing to enable operation of equipment around other employees and other equipment in limited areas of maneuverability; may be required to use equipment for radio communications; good peripheral vision, depth perception and color perception are required.
• Must be able to lift 75 pounds above shoulder; must have manual dexterity and be able to push and/or pull weights in excess of 100 pounds; must be able to stoop, climb, and bend; must be able to use ladders, stairways.
• Must possess valid driver's license and attach copy of Division of Motor Vehicle driving record (obtained within the last 30 days) to the employment application.
• Must be a Certified Pesticide Technician or obtain Technician Certification within 12 months.
• Must have skill in the safe operation of vehicles, power tools and pneumatic tools.
• Must be able to effectively supervise a crew of 2-4 employees.
• Must possess ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Must understand and issue verbal instructions and directions.
• Employees are trained in operation of vehicles and tools in a cemetery environment. Training limited to familiarization with cemetery operations and record keeping requirements.

Work Location:Various Norfolk City Cemeteries. Needs to be flexible. May need to change from one cemetery to another.

Work Hours:Saturday-Wednesday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. May work additional weekdays

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have a minimum of six months of experience in landscaping or grounds maintenance?

• Yes
• No

04

If yes, briefly describe your landscaping and/or grounds maintenance experience. Tell us about your experience with backhoes, mowers, trimmers and other types of grounds maintenance equipment.

05

Please select the equipment you have experience operating.

• Push mower
• Zero-turn mower
• String trimmer
• Pruning shears
• Trowel/rakes
• Other
• None

06

Do you possess a current certification as a Pesticide Registered Technician issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a current certification as a Commerical Pesticide Applicator issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia?

• Yes
• No

08

Please describe your experience working with horticultural chemicals.

09

Do you have experience supervising subordinates and working in a team environment?

• Yes
• No

10

If yes, briefly describe your experience supervising a group of subordinates in a team environment. Include in your response the number of team members under your supervision.

11

Are you a qualified military spouse? (An individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being a spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces)

• Yes
• No

12

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

13

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

14

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

Required Question