Cemetery Operative

Birmingham City Council; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A council employment opportunity in Birmingham is seeking a Cemetery Operative to support bereavement services. The role requires excellent customer service skills and the ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors. Responsibilities include managing burials, supporting cemetery teams, and working flexibly across various locations. Development opportunities and a generous benefits package will be offered.

Benefits

Pension scheme with generous employer contribution

Family-friendly policies

Generous holiday entitlement

Occupational health support

Rewards platform with discounts

Qualifications

• Experience of being sensitive to the needs of bereaved individuals.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Demonstrated strengths and skills that contribute to service delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide support in managing burials and related statutory requirements.
• Excavate and prepare graves for interment as required.
• Deputise for the Foreperson as needed.
• Work weekends and bank holidays rotationally.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work across Birmingham cemeteries.

Skills

Excellent customer service skills

Ability to carry out physically demanding work

Adaptability and prioritisation

Excellent organisational skills

Experience in sensitive interactions

Teamwork and motivation

Job description

Cemetery Operative

Permanent

Grade 3 - £27,254 - £33,699

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on one of the most critical periods of Birmingham's future? In a city facing unprecedented financial challenges, Birmingham City Council is seeking dynamic individuals who demonstrate the expertise, determination, and unwavering resilience required to ensure the delivery of vital services to our citizens. Our city, like many others, is grappling with complex economic realities. We recognise the daunting hurdles ahead, but we also firmly believe in the potential for transformation and progress. The economic pressures underscore the urgency of our mission – to safeguard and enhance the wellbeing of our residents. We are keen to ensure continued service delivery to our citizens and successful decision-making – that’s why we need people like you to join us in an essential frontline delivery role.

Birmingham City Council Bereavement Services manages 11 cemeteries and 3 crematoria across the city.

The role includes:

• Providing support to the Head of Bereavement Services, Registrars and Cemetery teams in connection with the provision of burials 364 days a year and any appropriate statutory requirements on a day-to-day basis.
• Working at any of the city’s cemeteries or crematoria; to work as part of a team to provide a high quality service to the bereaved and associated agencies.
• Excavating, backfilling and preparing graves for interment and performing other associated duties as required to include grounds maintenance tasks and crematoria attendant duties.
• Working outdoors in all weather conditions, to perform heavy tasks of a physical nature and to possess the ability to carry out a range of grounds maintenance related tasks.
• Deputising for the Foreperson and supporting the provision of efficient, discreet services.
• Weekend and Bank Holiday working will be required to work any 5 days in 7 on a rotational basis to support operational requirements at Sutton New Hall or other cemeteries/crematoria operating a weekend/Bank Holiday Service.
• As this is a peripatetic role covering all the Birmingham area, the applicant will need to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly and must hold a current full driving licence.

This is an evolving role, with interesting and varied tasks that can be very rewarding.

There are development opportunities within the service with many training programmes and opportunities for succession training.

About You

We are looking for someone:

• With excellent customer service skills with the ability to carry out physically demanding work in all weather conditions.
• Adaptable, with the ability to prioritise workloads and work under pressure.
• With excellent organisational skills, along with keen attention to detail.
• With experience of being sensitive to the needs of people that are bereaved or distressed whilst demonstrating a sensitive and understanding approach.
• Our current service delivery agenda and plans are challenging, that’s why we need youto tell us about your strengths and skills that would contribute to our future successes.
• Who can work well within a team be enthusiastic and motivated and be willing to develop their skills and knowledge.

If this describes you then we want to hear from you.

Benefits of working with us include:

• Pension scheme with a generous employer contribution
• Family – friendly policies
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Occupational health support including a confidential counselling service
• Rewards platform offering discounts at over 800 retailers

Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

For any informal enquires please contact:[e-mail]

We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Job Description and PersonSpecification

We strive to advertise all roles for a minimum of two weeks. However, due to high application volumes vacancies may close earlier than the stated deadline. We encourage you to submit your application without delay to ensure consideration.