Grounds Operative (Cemeteries)

South Lanarkshire Council; Scotland; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Scotland is seeking a Grounds Operative for Cemeteries to work at Forrest Street Depot, Blantyre. The role involves performing assessments related to headstone safety, providing excellent customer service, and working outdoors in various weather conditions. Applicants should possess experience in manual handling and be prepared to support bereaved individuals in a dignified manner. Full-time hours are expected, along with participation in additional duties as required.

Benefits

Enrolment in local government pension scheme

Up to 33 days annual leave

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a sensitive environment and deal with bereaved individuals.
• Experience in physically demanding tasks on a daily basis.
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions throughout the year.

Responsibilities

• Perform assessments related to headstone safety.
• Liaise with Cemetery Assistant for assessment information.
• Provide high standards of customer service.

Skills

Customer service

Manual handling

Teamwork

Tools

Lifting equipment

Job description

COMM ENT 3380 G1 - Grounds Operative (Cemeteries) (606803)

South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom

Job Description

Internal applicants MUST apply via Opportunity Marketplace. Please ensure you complete your SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS via “Me” tab/tile on Fusion or by clicking on the application link in the section of the application form titled “REVIEW SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS”.

ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received byWednesday 21 January 2026 AT 11:55PM

Location: Forrest Street Depot, 18 Forrest Street, Blantyre, G72 0JP

Hours: 37 hours per week

Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8am - 4.30pm and Friday 8am - 1.30pm

Community and Enterprise Resources are seeking to appoint a Cemetery Operative (Memorial) based at Forrest Street, Blantyre.

The successful applicant will be working with a small team and as such due to the extremely sensitive nature of working in a cemetery environment are expected to perform tasks in a dignified and professional manner.

Applicants should be aware when applying for this role it requires to be working in a sensitive environment and it is a requirement to be mindful of the sensitivities and heightened emotions for the bereaved and all those who are using/visiting our facilities.This is a front-line role, and you may be approached by those affected in what is a most distressing time for them, as such you should bear this in mind when considering applying for this post.

The main duties and responsibilities will include:

• Responsible for carrying out assessments in relation to South Lanarkshire Councils Headstone Safety Programme.
• To liaise with Cemetery Assistant (Memorial) with regards to assessment information.
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• Update and provide detailed information relating to headstone and memorial stability.
• Undertake lair identification, inspection and monitoring of existing memorials.
• Carry out “making safe” works in line with South Lanarkshire Councils Safe System of Wok.
• Assist/participate, when required, in additional duties within Bereavement Services.
• Provide the highest standards of customer service, dealing with customer enquiries, requests and complaints.Provide advice and guidance to members of the public on technical matters relating to memorial headstone safety.
• Service provision is required throughout the year and in all types of weather.The service provision includes public holidays and weekends, it is therefore an essential criterion that the successful candidates are expected to be available to work during these times and conditions.

Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents

• Are you able and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions throughout the year?
• Do you have experience working with lifting equipment/machinery in a high profile setting?
• Are you able to perform physically demanding tasks on a daily basis? (e.g. lifting, manual handling, walking)

If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.

Please Apply online -All correspondence will be via your email address

Preferred candidates identified after theselection eventprocess will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, toensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of three months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant

South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Scheme Employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant. Veterans & Service leavers are guaranteed an interview who meet the essential criteria of the person specification job description.

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
• Up to 33 days annual leave
• Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
• Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
• Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
• Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM.

To be considered for this vacancy you must complete the application form. All CV submissions will be disregarded.

About Us

South Lanarkshire Councilis the unitary authority serving the South Lanarkshirecouncil area in Scotland. The council has its headquarters in Hamilton, has 16,000 employees, and a budget of almost £1bn. The large and varied geographical territory takes in rural and upland areas, market towns such as Lanark, Strathavenand Carluke, the urban burghsof Rutherglen,Cambuslang,and East Kilbridewhich was Scotland's first new town.

Our vision is for South Lanarkshire as set out in our Economic Strategy is to have one of the strongest and most dynamic economies in Scotland, where businesses, communities, and residents achieve their full potential and prosper.

We will achieve this through three key interrelated themes:

• People -skills, learning and employability
• Place -physical infrastructure and place
• Business -business development and growth

Job Info

• Job Identification 3380
• Posting Date 01/07/2026, 11:24 AM
• Apply Before 01/21/2026, 11:55 PM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Sydes Brae, Blantyre, G72 0TL, GB