Cemetary Caretaker / Gardner

Fulton Hogan; Whanganui; On-site; NZD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Life insurance

KiwiSaver contributions

Parental leave top up

Training & development

Retail discounts

Job summary

Fulton Hogan is seeking a dedicated caretaker/gardener to keep cemetery and crematorium grounds in top condition and to support burials, ash interments and cremations with care and professionalism. The role is hands-on, outdoors with real responsibility, including mowing, planting and site preparation for services.

You will work as part of a down-to-earth team that values safety, respect, and quality in every task.

Qualifications

• Experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, horticulture, cemetery operations or similar outdoor work.
• Preferably with a full Class 2 licence & WTR.
• Practical skills using gardening tools and machinery.

Responsibilities

• Carry out day-to-day grounds maintenance across cemetery, memorial and crematorium sites (mowing, edging, pruning, planting, weeding).
• Prepare graves and ash interment sites and support burials and funeral service setup with care.
• Operate burial equipment and backfill/reinstate sites to a high standard.
• Operate cremator and related equipment following procedures and safety protocols.
• Follow safety plans, speak up when unsure, and use equipment safely.

Skills

Grounds maintenance

Landscaping

Horticulture

Cemetery operations

Outdoor work

Class 2 licence

Job description

Mō te tūlanga | About the role

This is a role for a special kind of person. Someone practical, grounded and respectful, who takes pride in doing good work that really matters. As our Caretaker / Gardener, you'll help keep cemetery and crematorium grounds looking their best while also supporting burials, ash interments and cremations with care, dignity and professionalism.

It's hands-on, outdoor work with real responsibility. Some days you'll be mowing, planting and maintaining public spaces. Other days, you'll be helping families through important moments by preparing graves, supporting funeral services and operating crematorium equipment to the right standards. This is serious work, but you'll do it with a down-to-earth team that backs each other and takes pride in doing it properly.

Ngā tino kawenga mahi | Key role responsibilities

• Carry Out day-to-day grounds maintenance across cemetery, memorial and crematorium sites, including mowing, edging, pruning, planting, weeding and general garden care.
• Prepare graves and ash interment sites, and support burials and funeral service set-up with care, respect and attention to detail.
• Operate burial equipment, backfill and reinstate sites following burials and interments to a high standard.
• Operate the cremator and associated equipment in line with site procedures, training and identification protocols, including accurate handling of ashes and records.
• Put safety first every day by following work plans, speaking up when unsure, and using equipment and machinery safely and correctly.

Kei te kimi mātou i tōe e whai ana i ēnei pūkeni | We're looking for someone with

• Experience in grounds maintenance, landscaping, horticulture, cemetery operations or similar outdoor work, along preferably with a full Class 2 licence & WTR.
• Practical skills using gardening tools, machinery and small plant, with a safe and steady approach to hands-on work.
• A calm, respectful and professional manner in sensitive situations involving bereaved families and deceased persons.
• Good judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to follow procedures, keep accurate records and think ahead.
• A reliable, team-focused attitude and willingness to learn cemetery, burial and crematorium practices if you have not done all parts of the role before.

He pai te mahi, he pai āngā painga | Good work, good benefits

At Fulton Hogan, we genuinely care about the wellbeing of our people and giving them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed and grow with us. You'll have access to:

• Medical insurance and Life insurance after the eligibility period.
• KiwiSaver employer contributions after service milestones, up to 7%.
• Parental leave top up payment with additional return to work support.
• Ongoing training and development, with clear career growth and progression opportunities.
• Great discounts at a wide range of retailers.

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Fulton Hogan, Good Work is what we do and how we do it. We're a team that's flat, friendly and forward moving. Titles matter less than ideas, and we back our people to learn, grow and make a real difference. In this role, your work will help create well-kept spaces and support families through important moments with care and dignity.

We take the work seriously, not ourselves. That means a relaxed, down-to-earth team culture day to day, and a serious focus on safety, quality and respect when it counts.