Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator (Grounds Maintenance)

Portsmouth; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator to join the Grounds Maintenance team. You will excavate graves using mechanised equipment and perform general cemetery upkeep across three Portsmouth cemeteries.

The role requires physical fitness, a valid Excavator ticket and driving licence, and the ability to work with compassion when assisting the public and bereaved families. 37 hours weekly with some weekend work.

Qualifications

• Must be physically fit and able to climb in/out of machinery.
• Experience with large and small horticultural/agricultural machinery is beneficial.
• Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Excavate graves and maintain three Portsmouth cemeteries.
• Operate excavators, dumper trucks and related burial equipment.
• Locate, mark and excavate graves in accordance with cemetery maps and safety regulations.
• Assist the public and undertakers in locating plots and preparing funerals.
• Maintain surrounding areas, shrub beds, litter and paths; ensure machinery is stored and maintained safely.
• Unlock cemetery gates and other site buildings; support grounds maintenance duties in Portsmouth parks.

Skills

Driving licence

Excavator ticket

Machinery operation

Tools

Excavator ticket certification

ICCM Safe Use of Cemetery Excavator

ICCM Cemetery Dumper

ICCM H&S Burial Process

Job description

Parks Cemetery Grave Digger Operator (Ground Maintenance)Salary: Band: 4. £26.033 - £27,346 p.a.37 hours per week, Monday - Friday but will be required to work some weekendsLocation: 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

We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.