Cemetery Services Representative (As Needed)

City of Santa Monica; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Santa Monica’s cemetery office seeks a dedicated administrator to support cemetery, mausoleum and mortuary services. You will perform clerical tasks, process sales and payments, and assist families with pre-need and at-need arrangements with professionalism and empathy.

Strong data-entry, recordkeeping and customer-service skills are essential, as is the ability to interact with grieving individuals and coordinate with grounds staff and vendors.

Qualifications

• Two years of recent, paid work experience performing customer service with high public contact.
• One year of experience in cemetery, funeral home, mortuary or related field is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and assistance in person and over the telephone.
• Process sales transactions and assist with interment space and funeral products.
• Enter data into electronic records and prepare reports and forms.
• Coordinate interment services with grounds staff and funeral directors.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Office software

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Performs a wide variety of functions associated with the business operation of Woodlawn Cemetery, Mortuary, and Mausoleum including customer service, clerical work, office support and information distribution about services, programs, policies and procedures.

Works under the administrative supervision of the Cemetery Administrator and/or designee, who outlines work assignments, monitors work in progress and periodically reviews completed work.

Performs administrative clerical tasks related to the daily office operation of the City’s cemetery, mausoleum and mortuary. Provides information and assistance in person and over the telephone.

Assists individuals with pre-need planning and at-need funeral and burial arrangements.

Performs sales transactions and assists individuals with the purchase of cemetery and mortuary services, interment spaces (i.e. graves, crypts and cremation niches) and funeral products (i.e. graves, vaults, caskets, urns, memorial plaques, and flowers). Receives and records payments and assists in processing invoices. Makes deposits, as assigned.

Reads cemetery maps and records to locate graves, crypts and cremation niches.

Files and maintains various documents, including record of sales forms. Enters data pertaining to each interment and purchase into electronic recordkeeping systems and computerized databases.

Collects statistical data and information. Prepares and maintains letters, reports, forms and legal documents.

Coordinates and schedules interment services with grounds staff and funeral directors. Verifies identification of deceased persons and confirms mortuary services with City-designated contractor(s). May provide assistance at funeral ceremonies and mortuary services, as assigned.

Keeps current on state and local laws relating to the business operations of a cemetery and mortuary.

Acts as a liaison for the cemetery business office regarding programs, services and inquiries from bereaved families, funeral directors, health department officials, coroner’s officials, vendors and the general public.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Knowledge of:

• Basic funeraland mortuary services andpractices.
• Funeral homeprocedures and products.
• Current office procedures, practices and equipment.
• Business English, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
• Basic mathematics.
• Cash handling techniques.
• Principles and procedures or recordkeeping.
• Effective customer services techniques.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality.
• Read cemetery maps and records.
• Perform transactions of funeral products and interment spaces.
• Perform work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Interact with grief stricken and distraught individuals.
• Work around deceased persons.
• Learn, understand and comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
• Perform basic mathematical computations.
• Operate a variety of office equipment.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Respond to public inquiries, complaints and requests for service in a tactful manner.
• Follow written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrate physical dexterity and lift objects of up to 25 lbs.
• Provide effective customer service.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees and the general public.

Skill in:

• Reading, writing and communicating at an appropriate level.
• Dealing effectively with individuals from diverse social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
• Typing at a corrected speed of 25 words per minute.
• Using a personal computer and applicable software applications.
• Handling cash.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or the equivalent.
• Two years of recent, paid work experience performing customer service duties with a highvolumeof public contact. One year of the required experience must have included working in a cemetery, funeral home, mortuary or a closely related field of business.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of a valid class C driver license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is generally performed indoors an office environment dealing with sensitive situations and diverse individuals. Office work involves sitting and using a computer keyboard and screen. Physical demands include walking, standing, kneeling, reaching, bending and lifting up to 25 pounds. Position involves exposure to a mortuary and outdoor elements when walking through cemetery grounds. Safety equipment is provided.

Inclusion & Diversity Statement:

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally-rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly-talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!