Cemetery Site Custodian

Whangarei District Council; Manawatū-Whanganui; On-site; NZD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Whangārei District Council is seeking a Cemetery Site Custodian to care for our cemetery facilities, grounds and visitors. This role blends outdoor maintenance with practical administration and compassionate service to funeral directors, families and the public.

You don’t need prior cemetery experience; we’re looking for someone empathetic, reliable, organised and able to work independently or in a small team. A current driver’s licence is essential and pre-employment checks apply.

Qualifications

• Experience with or a passion for maintaining attractive public spaces.
• Strong work ethic and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Able to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Empathetic, respectful and professional when dealing with the public.
• Practical problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage workload and work independently when required.
• Commitment to health and safety and safe work practices.
• Confidence operating machinery or a willingness to learn.
• Good organisational skills and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Positive, reliable, team player and comfortable with technology (computers/phones/apps).

Responsibilities

• Preparing burial and cremains sites and assisting with funeral and interment services.
• Supporting funeral directors, families during funerals and cemetery services.
• Operating and maintaining a range of plant, machinery and equipment safely and effectively.
• Ensuring cemetery records, site information and operational documentation are accurate and up to date.
• Maintaining high standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Contributing to the ongoing presentation, development and stewardship of Council's cemetery facilities.
• Maintaining cemetery gardens, lawns, memorial areas and surrounding grounds to a high standard.
• Monitoring cemetery assets and identifying maintenance or improvement requirements.
• Carrying out planting, pruning, weed control and general horticultural maintenance to ensure cemetery grounds remain attractive and well cared for.

Job description

Whangarei, New Zealand
Reference: 6943331

Do you enjoy working outdoors, take pride in keeping things well maintained, and value helping people during important moments in their lives?

Whangārei District Council is looking for a Cemetery Site Custodian to join our team and help care for our cemetery facilities, grounds and visitors.

This is a unique and rewarding role that combines practical outdoor work with customer service, administrative duties and community support. You'll play an important part in maintaining our cemeteries to a high standard while providing respectful assistance to funeral directors, families and visitors.

You don't necessarily need previous cemetery experience to be successful in this role. We're looking for someone who is empathetic, practical, reliable, organised, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a small team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Preparing burial and cremains sites and assisting with funeral and interment services.
• Supporting funeral directors, and families during funerals and cemetery services.
• Operating and maintaining a range of plant, machinery and equipment safely and effectively.
• Ensuring cemetery records, site information and operational documentation are accurate and up to date.
• Maintaining high standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.
• Contributing to the ongoing presentation, development and stewardship of Council's cemetery facilities.
• Maintaining cemetery gardens, lawns, memorial areas and surrounding grounds to a high standard.
• Monitoring cemetery assets and identifying maintenance or improvement requirements.
• Carrying out planting, pruning, weed control and general horticultural maintenance to ensure cemetery grounds remain attractive and well cared for.

The role is a mix of hands-on, outdoors and office administration combining cemetery operations and grounds maintenance. It requires someone who enjoys practical work, takes pride in maintaining beautiful public spaces and is comfortable supporting families during significant life events.

Flexibility to participate in an on-call roster and respond to operational requirements outside normal working hours including weekends and public holidays is also required.

What we're looking for

• Experience with or a passion for maintaining attractive public spaces.
• A strong work ethic and pride in delivering high-quality work.
• Capable of working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• A respectful, empathetic and professional approach when dealing with members of the public.
• Practical problem-solving skills and good attention to detail.
• The ability to manage your workload and work independently when required.
• A commitment to health and safety and safe work practices
• Confidence operating machinery, tools or equipment, or a willingness to learn.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• A positive attitude, reliability and a willingness to support the wider team.
• Comfortable with the use of computers, phones and apps including Microsoft 365.

A current driver's licence is essential. Any endorsements or experience operating machinery would be advantageous.

The completion of a pre-employment medical and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is a requirement for this position.

Why join us?

You'll be joining a small team that takes pride in caring for some of the district's most important community spaces. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the people of Whangārei while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Every day is different. From maintaining beautiful, peaceful surroundings to supporting families and visitors during significant life moments, you'll be part of work that genuinely matters to our community.

Our organisational tikanga are:

Whanaungatanga - fostering strong relationships and connections.
Manaakitanga - showing respect, care and support for others.
Kotahitanga - working together towards shared outcomes.
Atawhaitanga - acting as trusted stewards for our community and future generations.