Turf / Grounds Assistant Supervisor

Assist the turf supervisor in overseeing the turf/grounds staff.as well as working with them on the repairing, reseeding, and watering damaged lawn areas, sunken graves, and all new burials. Performs various ground maintenance tasks as requested. Assist in the supervision of grass mowing, trimming, leaf mulching and removal, and grounds maintenance tasks in the Grass/Grounds Maintenance Supervisor’s absence. Acts as Turf Supervisor in his absence.

About this Role:

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Supervise and perform turf maintenance, including but not limited to grading, seeding, sodding, and watering of graves and other lawn areas, including sunken graves, areas damaged by drought, snowplows, heavy equipment, and any newly developed areas. Top dress and overseed as needed.
  • Supervise grass mowing, trimming, leaf mulching and leaf removal, and ground maintenance tasks in the Grass/Grounds Maintenance Supervisor’s absence.
  • Assists with all Grass/Grounds Maintenance department training to ensure the safe and proper use of all related equipment.
  • Assist the Turf/Grounds Maintenance Supervisor with rehiring, including driving pre-hires to the test lab for drug screenings.
  • Perform various ground maintenance projects such as repairs of eroded paths, weeding, mulching, edging, grading and storm cleanup.
  • Shovel snow and operate snowblower.
  • May be required to perform other duties as requested by the Superintendent of Grounds to assist other Sections or Departments
  • Follows all Cemetery safety policies and procedures related to assigned tasks, including wearing personal protective equipment (eye and hearing protecting, gloves, etc.), proper handling of chemicals, ladder safety, and lifting and moving heavy objects. Brings unsafe conditions to the attention of the Grass/Grounds Maintenance Supervisor and makes suggestions to improve safe working practices.
  • 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 QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • At least one year of crew supervision experience required
  • Two years of lawn maintenance or landscaping experience
  • Ability to speak both English and Spanish highly preferred
  • Ability to read and write in English preferred
  • Driver’s license required and a High School diploma preferred
  • Massachusetts Hoisting License 2B preferred
  • Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License in “Turf” (Category 37) preferred
  • Ability to communicate successfully with staff, lot owners, outside contractors, and visitors
  • Ability to read maps and locates lot and grave numbers for proper placement of floral purchases and grave repairs
  • Must present a good professional image in dress, grooming and personal hygiene per the Cemetery’s dress code policy

REQUIRED PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

  • Constantly operates a variety of equipment including but not limited to riding mowers, chippers, leaf blowers, weed trimmers, vacuum, rakes, and manual transmission turf carts
  • Heavy work that includes moving, adjusting or carrying objects including soil, mulch, snow, fertilizer, lime, soil mixes, peat moss, seed, sod and logs up to 50 pounds
  • Position involves moving in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments for extended periods of time including remaining in a stationary position and/or performing activities such as climbing, bending, twisting, reaching, and pulling

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

  • Works outdoors in all weather conditions 

About our Organization:

Mount Auburn Cemetery comprises 175 acres and is situated in Watertown and Cambridge near Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1831, and now 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. 

Full time employees are offered a competitive benefits package that includes paid time off, health insurance, and 401K options.

All employees of Mount Auburn Cemetery are “at will’ employees and must adhere to Mount Auburn’s “Business Ethics and Conduct.”

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume (Microsoft Word document or PDF) and include “Turf/Grounds Assistant Supervisor” in the subject area, to: jobs@mountauburn.org.  

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.