Overview
ABMC has a civil service complement of approximately 80 positions, more than 50 of which are located overseas in our 26 cemeteries in 10 countries and the Overseas Operations Office located in Paris, France.
Employment for US Citizens
Employment Overseas
Most of our positions available overseas are as Assistant Cemetery Superintendents, a training position designed to prepare you for being a Superintendent at one of our cemeteries. These positions require a mix of skills including:
- Ability to supervise a blue-collar work crew in their local language;
- Ability to maintain and care for the cemetery itself, including the physical features (buildings, roads, pathways, etc.), utilities, and horticultural elements;
- Ability to interact with the public and local officials communicating the story of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen buried and memorialized in our cemeteries, and of the military operations in the immediate area;
- Ability to thrive in an overseas environment while living on the grounds of a remotely located cemetery.
The Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent positions are highly competitive, so we encourage all applicants to include a customized letter of motivation with their applications. We other benefits to attract exceptionally qualified and dedicated candidates; see below for more details.
Candidates for employment cannot be dual citizens of the host country. If you have any question on your status as a dual citizen when applying, please contact us.
Because our cemeteries are staffed by non-English speakers, host language proficiency is a required qualification and a selective factor during the hiring process. Target languages include French, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish. A minimum rating of 2+ on the speaking and 2+ on the reading scale under the rating criteria of the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) is required to be considered for these positions. Our individual vacancy announcements posted on USAJobs.com will provide specific information on language and other requirements.
Individuals selected for employment as an Assistant Cemetery Superintendent are hired at the GS-1630-07/09 level and are typically subject to a one-year probationary period. Superintendent positions may be filled at the GS-09/11/12 level, depending on assignment and qualifications. Employees are subject to assignment to any ABMC installation worldwide in accordance with the needs of the agency, and should expect to move multiple times during their ABMC career.
ABMC also has approximately 13 specialist positions in the Overseas Operations Office in Paris, France that support cemetery operations. These positions require a minimum of 1+ speaking and 3 reading on the ILR scale in French.
ABMC positions are a unique and rewarding experience to care for our fallen military members overseas while living and integrating in a foreign community.
Employment in the United States
ABMC has a headquarters office in Arlington, Virginia consisting of 30+ staff who provide administrative support for the Commission, the Secretary, and all overseas sites.
Benefits
All ABMC employees are eligible to receive the following benefits:
- Competitive salaries
- Health insurance (including long-term care insurance and flexible savings accounts)
- Life insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Annual and sick leave
- Ten paid holidays per year
- Generous retirement benefits, including participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, a pre-tax savings plan similar to a 401(k)
In addition, employees posted at overseas duty stations receive:
- Paid moving expenses
- Overseas, tax-free cost-of-living allowance in addition to basic pay, based on family size, location, and salary level
- Housing (mostly on the grounds of an ABMC cemetery) is provided free of cost except for phone, television, and internet. Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) is not available
- Generous educational allowances for dependent minor children
- Between five and ten days of home leave each year to visit the United States, depending on post of assignment
How can I apply?
Vacancy announcements and application requirements are posted on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) USAJOBS website. We encourage anyone interested in employment with ABMC to sign up for email notifications so that you will find out immediately once a new position is open.
Employment for non-US Citizens
Most ABMC employees are non-US citizens employed at one of our overseas locations. These positions are primarily blue-collar (gardeners, masons, mechanics, etc.), interpretive guides, or administrative and technical support. These positions are recruited in the country where they are located and are not open to US citizens or dual-US nationals.
More Information?
Please contact recruitment@abmc.gov if you have any questions about employment at ABMC.
Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act (No FEAR Act)
P.L. 107-174
The No FEAR Act reaffirms the strong public policy commitment to ensure that all Federal employees feel free to come forward with allegations of discrimination, wrongdoing, or misconduct, by making sure that Federal employees are aware of their rights. This law, signed on May 15, 2002, by President Bush, aims to increase the accountability of federal agencies for acts of discrimination and reprisal. The Act is commonly referred to as the "No FEAR" Act. The law took effect in Fiscal Year 2004, on October 1, 2003.