Groundskeeper - Cemeteries
Salary $41,600.00 - $69,694.51 Annually
Location Norfolk, VA
Job Type Permanent Full-time
Job Number 12794
Department Parks & Recreation
Division Cemeteries
Opening Date 03/18/2026
Closing Date 3/29/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Benefits
Questions
Description
The City of Norfolks Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking a Groundskeeper to join our cemeteries landscaping crews. This position will work with our Parks and Forestry Operations to maintain 2700 acres of turf and landscape beds on a regular basis.Norfolks Department of Parks & Recreation is proud to announce it has been awarded national accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies. This ensures we will continue to provide quality recreational services that enrich the lives of Norfolks residents.
Departmental Starting Salary: $41,600
Essential Functions
Essential functions include but are not limited to: Cuts grass, trims grave markers, assists in burials, helps keep grounds in good condition. Sows grass seed, hauls trash and erects tents. Responsible for cutting grass, trimming grave markers, assisting in burials, and helping keep grounds in good condition. 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. 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, 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.
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.
Performs other duties as assigned.
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.
The preferred candidate: Must also be able to work in all kinds of weather. Must have a valid Virginia driver's license. 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. Must be able to obtain Pesticide Technician Certification within 12 months.
Additional Information & Requirements
Work Location: Various Norfolk City Cemeteries
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. May work some weekends.
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 Please select the highest level of education you have completed. Less than High School Diploma/Equivalency High School Diploma/GED Some College (6 months or more) Vocational/Technical Degree Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree or higher
03 Do you have a valid drivers license? (Please note: A current copy of your Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record, obtained within last 30 days, is required at the time of interview.) Yes No
04 Do you possess a current certification as a Pesticide Registered Technician issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia? Yes No
05 Do you possess a current certification as a Commerical Pesticide Applicator issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia? Yes No
06 Please select the type of equipment you have experience operating. Select all that apply. Standing mower Zero-turn mower String trimmer Leaf blower Tamper/aerator Hand tools Other
07 Please describe your experience working with horticultural chemicals.
08 Do you have experience supervising subordinates and working in a team environment? Yes No
09 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.
10 This position is designated as an Alpha position. This means this position is required to assist in maintaining City services during severe inclement weather or emergency conditions. Are you able to meet this requirement? Yes No
11 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
12 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
13 If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employees full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
Required Question
Employer City of Norfolk