Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator (Grounds Maintenance)

Portsmouth; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator to maintain three city cemeteries. You will excavate graves, operate heavy burial equipment, and assist the public with plot locations and funeral logistics. A full driving licence is essential, with ICCM certificates preferred. The role requires teamwork and occasional weekend work.

The post is based at Milton, Kingston and Highland Rd cemeteries, with 37 hours per week and a permanent contract. Training and PPE provided.

Qualifications

• Must be physically fit due to frequent machine operation.
• Experience with large and small horticultural machinery preferred.
• Excavator ticket required; ICCM Safe Use of Cemetery Excavator preferred.
• Full driving licence essential.

Responsibilities

• Excavate graves and maintain cemetery grounds.
• Operate excavators, dumper trucks and related burial equipment.
• Assist the public with plot locations and funeral arrangements.
• Keep machinery safe, maintained and operate in line with safety regs.
• Unlock cemetery gates and buildings as required.

Skills

Physically fit

Machinery operation

Customer assistance

Tools

Excavator Ticket

ICCM Safe Use of Cemetery Excavator

ICCM H&S Burial Process

Full driving licence

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Portsmouth

Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operative (Grounds Maintenance)

Job Reference pcc/TP/724/1967

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Portsmouth

Closing Date:

24/11/2026

Job Category:

Grounds Maintenance

Region / Division:

UK Region

Directorate:

Culture, Leisure & Regulatory Services

Job Introduction

Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator (Ground Maintenance)

37 hours per week, Monday - Friday but will be required to work some weekends

Location: 3 cemeteries: Milton, Kingston and Highland Rd

Your new role

As part of the Grounds Maintenance operations team, you will be responsible for excavating graves and general maintenance for the day to day-up keep of the three Portsmouth cemeteries and other areas . Using excavators, dumper trucks and other related burial equipment, you will be responsible for locating, marking and excavating graves in accordance with the cemetery map and code of safe working practice. A mechanical excavator will be used although digging by hand may also be required. In addition, you will assist members of the public regarding locations of plots/graves and undertakers and masons in location and preparation of funerals. The role also includes maintenance of the surrounding area and of shrub beds within the cemetery, general litter picking and sweeping paths. You will ensure all machinery is stored safely and maintained whilst complying with regulations when using chemicals and substances. You will also be responsible for unlocking the cemetery gates and any other building on the site.

Working as part of a team the Parks Cemetery Grave Digger will also undertake a range of other grounds maintenance duties within Portsmouth parks and open spaces. These may include grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting of flowers and shrubs and pruning of hedges and tree base epicormic growth as well as litter and bin emptying duties.

Who is the person summary:

You will be physically fit as you will be climbing in and out of machinery, operating and maintaining machinery and may be required to do some manual digging. You will hold an Excavator ticket and ideally have an ICCM City and Guilds Safe Use of Cemetery Excavator, Cemetery Dumper and ICCM City and Guilds H & S Burial Process or equivalent. A full driving licence is essential as well as the ability to show dignity and compassion when dealing with bereaved families. With knowledge and experience in the use of large and small Horticultural/agricultural machinery you will be able to use your own initiative to ascertain what equipment/resources are needed to complete each task. With the ability to maintain and adjust machinery you will be self-motivated, flexible with the ability to work on your own or as part of a team following instructions from supervisors.

For full details, please review 'who is the person' on the job profile below attached.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .

Additional Information

Please ensure that you read the job profile for full details on the post.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [e-mail] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.