Cemetery Sexton

The current schedule for this position consists of four 10-hour shifts, 7:00 am - 5:30pm, Tuesday - Friday or Monday-Thursday.

Wages are only a portion of the extensive benefits The City of West Jordan offers! Eligible employees are offered medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, plus up-front and matching Health Savings Account contributions. The City is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems and in addition to pension savings has a deferred savings account matching program. We also have a tuition reimbursement, and a down payment assistance program! Benefitted employees also enjoy paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

The statements and information in this document are neither intended to nor do they create contractual or other rights on behalf of any person hired by the City.

SUMMARY

Under general direction, to supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for the maintenance and operation of the City cemeteries, parks, and trails; to sell lots and plots, conduct burials and disinternments and maintain related records; and to work with bereaved families, mortuaries, county coroner and other officials as sexton.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises direct supervision over maintenance staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plan, supervise, and participate in the operation and maintenance of the City cemeteries, parks, and trails.
• Supervise workers in the opening, closing, and maintenance of graves, mowing, fertilizing, and watering of cemetery grounds and plantings, application of chemicals and pesticides, and the general improvement of the cemetery.
• Schedule burials; check ownership; open graves and lead funeral to grave site; direct and participate in the recording of all burials; accurately obtain and maintain vital statistic information for deceased and record accordingly in the cemetery database, research old burial records; check lots and give grave locations.
• Consult with bereaved families and aid in site selection and payment; provide information to morticians and monument sales personnel concerning policies of the cemetery; assist in drafting ordinances related to cemetery matters.
• Rehabilitate sunken graves; raise or lower headstones and markers.
• Repair equipment; care for green areas; repair broken or frozen water lines; order parts and prepare justification for new equipment.
• Maintain the irrigation system for City cemeteries and parks.
• Remove snow from and maintain roads and walkways, within and outside of cemetery.
• Prepare budgets, records, work orders, and other related materials.
• Process cemetery plot purchases, including the receipt of payment.
• Assist with the coordination and execution of community projects
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or GED.

Experience: Four years of experience in parks and/or cemetery maintenance and one year of customer service experience. Proficient computer experience preferred.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Utah Driver's License
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a commercial driver's license within one year of hire date, preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a pesticide applicator, traffic control flagger and fork lift certificates within one year of hire date.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles of leading, supervision and training.
• Operations, services, and activities of a cemetery program.
• Practices, methods, equipment, tools, and materials used in cemetery operations and horticulture.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of cemetery and grounds maintenance.
• Sprinkler systems and methods of repair.
• Chemical pesticides and herbicides and their use.
• Watering requirements for lawns, trees and plants and various types of soil.
• Principles of budget preparation and control.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Principles and procedures of records keeping and reporting.
• Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill with:

• Operating a wide variety of equipment and tools used in cemetery maintenance, repair, and construction in a safe and effective manner.
• Properly applying herbicides and pesticides in accordance with laws, regulations and safety guidelines including the maintenance of appropriate records associated with such applications.
• Performing heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in all types of weather.
• Operating modern office equipment including computer equipment and software.
• Operating a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to:

• Assist with the hiring, on-going monitoring, and the termination of seasonal staff
• Maintain accurate and current information in the Cemetery database
• Operate a variety of software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office
• Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in written form.
• Clearly and effectively communicate with a wide variety of people, including grieving families, fellow employees, and outside agencies.
• Maintain a professional appearance. This position interacts with friends and/or family members making burial arrangements for a loved one. During such times emotional levels of those dealing with a recent loss of a loved one may be elevated. As a representative of the City of West Jordan, appearance and manners are important. A clean and professional appearance including no visible piercings or tattoos is required.
• Problem solve while operating within the rules and regulations associated with the cemetery.
• Supervise, plan, and coordinate the efficient operation and maintenance of cemetery grounds and facilities.
• Accurately layout and excavate grave spaces, markers, and related items.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of cemetery staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Assist in budget preparation and monitoring.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the public.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and compassion in dealing with bereaved families, funeral directors, and clergy.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 100 lbs.; exposure to noise, outdoors, confining workspace, chemicals, dust, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants must complete and submit a City application and resume to Human Resources through the website at www.westjordan.utah.gov. This position is open until filled with first review on August 1, 2023. EOE.