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Deputy Superintendent - Cemetery (Agency Only)

Augusta , Maine , United States | Maintenance and Operations | Full-time

Apply by: June 13, 2025

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Department of Defense, Veterans & Emergency ManagementJob Class Code:6440

Grade: 28/Supervisory

Salary: $63,689.60-$90,438.40/Annually

The Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is seeking a dedicated and compassionate leader to join our team as Deputy Superintendent—Cemetery for the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System. This honorable role oversees four sacred resting places: one in northern Maine, two in Augusta, and one in southern Maine. Based in Augusta, this position requires travel to all cemetery locations using a state vehicle. Reporting to the Superintendent of Buildings—Cemetery, the Deputy Superintendent works under limited supervision, ensuring the dignified care and operation of each site while honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans.

Join us in honoring and serving those who have sacrificed for our country by ensuring the dignified care of Maine’s Veterans’ Cemetery System.

+ Support cemetery operations –Assist the Superintendent in overseeing daily functions across multiple cemeteries, ensuring smooth and efficient management.

+ Step in as needed –Assume full operational authority in the absence of the Superintendent to maintain continuity of service.

+ Maintain high standards –Ensure compliance with State of Maine Veterans’ Cemetery Standard Operating Procedures, the Annual Grounds Maintenance program, and National Cemetery Administration standards.

+ Oversee maintenance –Manage external maintenance contracts and evaluate cemeteries for needed repairs and improvements.

+ Coordinate services –Organize funeral services and burials, ensuring respectful and dignified interment processes.

+ Assist with administrative duties –Support budgeting, grants, special projects, long-term planning, and system operational priorities.

+ Represent the Superintendent –Serve as a key point of contact for internal departments and external organizations, fostering collaboration and engagement.

This position is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring that every veteran receives the respect and remembrance they deserve.

Primary responsibilities include:

+ Directly oversees cemetery operations, maintenance, and development of the Augusta cemeteries, while providing guidance and oversight to Caribou and Springvale as needed.

+ Oversees and manages the State of Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System SOP and annual grounds maintenance program for all assigned cemeteries.

+ Inspects, verifies, and oversees contracts with external resources; discusses ideas, negotiated plans, budgets, and performance-based output to exchange information and ensure contract specifications are met in a timely manner.

+ Arranges and coordinates ceremonial occasions such as Memorial and Veterans Day events to ensure events are conducted smoothly.

+ Coordinates funeral services and burials to ensure proper protocol is observed and to provide dignified burials for veterans and their families.

+ Confers with various people within and outside the agency to coordinate construction and maintenance projects and general operational activities.

+ Determines eligibility for burial and grants Certificate of Eligibility to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated.

+ Oversees the maintenance and operation of equipment and vehicles to determine repair/replacement schedules and to ensure proper and safe condition and use.

+ Oversees and negotiates private maintenance contracts.

+ Implements and complies with human resource laws, policies, procedures, and practices such as AA/EEO, recruitment, employment, position classification, performance appraisals, training, discipline, contract administration, human resource components of security protocols of agency information security, and confidentiality policies, and employee safety.

+ Acts with full authority in the absence of the Superintendent of the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System.

+ Plans, organizes, coordinates, and controls all system operational priorities and long and short-term objectives to track and monitor activities and ensure they are attained.

+ Assists with budget development for all facilities within the cemetery system.

+ Assists with oversight of, and monitors evaluation and review of plans, proposals, and specifications for cemetery system projects.

+ Directs, prepares, and executes contract documents and oversees professional contract compliance.

+ Assists Superintendent with screening certified practicing Maine registered architects and engineers; supervises and oversees the work of all professionals and technical specialists to ensure compliance with building codes and state regulations.

+ Research and make recommendations, and/or assist with preparing applications for federal grants from the National Cemetery Administration State Cemetery Grants Program to build or improve veterans’ cemeteries.

Skills or knowledge required:

+ Knowledge of landscaping and grounds maintenance.

+ Knowledge of operation, maintenance, and repair of machinery, equipment, and vehicles.

+ Knowledge of filing and recordkeeping. · Knowledge of types of equipment and material needed for cemetery operations.

+ Knowledge of cemetery operation, planning, and budgeting. · Knowledge of environmental regulations and operational impacts.

+ Knowledge of contemporary burial practices.

+ Knowledge of state purchasing and contracting procedures.

+ Knowledge of state equipment and internal inventory procedures.

+ Knowledge of National Cemetery Administration Standards.

+ Knowledge of spraying, pruning, planting, and fertilizing of lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers.

+ Knowledge of state and federal health and safety codes and issues.

+ Knowledge of snow removal and sanding procedures.

+ Knowledge of preventative maintenance programming.

+ Knowledge of public administration theories, principles, and practices.

+ Knowledge of cost analysis and control techniques.

+ Knowledge of capital improvement planning, monitoring, inspection, and building construction programs.

+ Knowledge of building codes.

+ Ability to review and evaluate bids.

+ Ability to evaluate employee performance and counsel employees.

+ Ability to analyze and evaluate program and project performance.

+ Ability to supervise skilled and unskilled employees.

+ Ability to deal effectively with bereaved members of the public and funeral directors.

+ Ability to interview, evaluate, and select suitable and qualified personnel.

+ Ability to keep accurate records.

+ Ability to use surveying equipment.

+ Ability to draft cemetery maps and plans.

+ Proficiency with applicable computer programs.

+ Strong interpersonal skills.

Minimum qualifications:

An eight (8) year combination of training, education, and/or experience in buildings and grounds and systems maintenance to include two (2) years supervisory and/or managerial experience.

Preference will be given to honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

+ With a Class A and/or B License.

+ With a valid pesticide application license

Applicants with a pesticide license will receive a $2.00/hour stipend for applying material, continuing education, and inventory and maintenance of pesticide material. Applicants who obtain such a license upon acceptance of a position will also receive this stipend.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Jeff Pooler or [email protected] Superintendent of Buildings

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

+ Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

+ Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95%of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find thepremium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

+ Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

+ Retirement Plan– The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.09% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for anextensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from theOffice of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.