Job Details

City of Portland - Maintenance Worker II - Cemeteries

Cemeteries Division, Parks Recreation & Facilities Department

About the City of Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department:

The Portland Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department is comprised of 160 full-time and over 250 seasonal staff dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Portland, Maine. They achieve this by operating cultural venues, running community programs (including Before and After School, Swim Lessons, and Senior Adult programs), and maintaining public buildings, waterfront infrastructure, 70 parks, 40+ miles of trails, 13 cemeteries, and 30 playgrounds. Their diverse team, including Park Maintainers, Lifeguards, Event Managers, Horticulturalists, and many others, works collaboratively to provide spaces and opportunities for social connection, recreation, and community development.

Job Summary:

This position performs a variety of semi-skilled maintenance and repair work within the Cemeteries Section of the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department and includes mowing, maintenance work, interments and disinterments, which involves hand digging and setting of covers and vaults. This position will also assist with winter operations related to the Cemeteries Division.

Duties & Responsibilities:

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• Operates grounds maintenance equipment in the care of parks and open spaces including, but not limited to, mowers, tractors and holders.
  
• Operates specialized equipment based on job function.
  
• Prunes trees and shrubs, plants flowers and other plant materials in landscaped areas.
  
• Repairs and services water irrigation and drainage systems.
  
• Maintains and repairs hard scapes including paths and trails.
  
• Maintains side walks and roadways.
  
• Makes mechanical repairs to Parks and Recreation facilities.
  
• Installs, maintains and repairs playground equipment and structures.
  
• May operate a chain saw and brush cutter.
  
• Perform earth work associated with interments and disinterments which involves hand digging, digging with backhoes and other heavy equipment, the setting of covers and vaults, and the backfilling of graves.

Required Skills & Experience:

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• Thorough knowledge of the functions and operating methods of a wide variety of heavy and complex construction equipment used on various jobs such as excavating, loading, working to grade, rolling and related work; and the ability to operate this equipment safely.;
  
• Working knowledge of interments and disinterments
  
• Ability to work professionally near open graves and securely handle contained human remains;
  
• Ability to operate equipment efficiently and safely;
  
• Ability to make minor repairs;
  
• Ability and willingness to work weekends when a funeral is scheduled
  
• Ability and willingness to work mandatory overtime during the winter period to include sanding and salting and plowing of snow;
  
• Ability to read a map
  
• Good visual acuity for driving and physical strength
  
• Agility and stamina necessary to withstand exposure to adverse climatic conditions;
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and members of the public.
  
• Ability to exhibit compassion when dealing with grieving visitors;
  
• Must pass a pre-employment fitness assessment.

Expected Hours/Schedule:

40 hours/week Monday Friday; 7:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.

Applications accepted until August 28, 2026.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

This is a union position, Labor and Trades Grade 17, with a starting pay range of $945.20 - $1,060.00 per week, based on relevant years of experience.

For more information about compensation with the City of Portland, please refer to the union specific pay plans and agreements.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment.
City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
  
• Thirteen paid holidays
  
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
  
• Life, dental, vision and income protection insurances
  
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
  
• Use of City recreation facilities
  
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=308&sreq=12&form=1000&desc=MAINTENANCE%20WORKER%20II%20-%20CEMETERIES