Cemetery Worker - M60 2LA

Cemetery Worker (ID:301)

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 31 May 2023

This role is subject to -

Driving Licence – you must always hold a full valid driving licence

Bereavement Services deliver in the region of 3,000 burial and cremation services each year in the Councils five cemeteries and one crematorium.  The Cemetery Worker role sits within the Infrastructure Team which provides cemetery & crematorium management and delivery of the burial and cremation services and grounds maintenance function for five cemeteries within Bereavement Services.   

The Cemetery Worker role covers all duties relating to burials, cremations, grounds maintenance, horticulture and memorial safety testing, across a number of sites.  Cemetery Workers are expected to undertake all duties as required by the service, and will be expected to work as required at any of these sites:

• Blackley Cemetery & Crematorium 

• Philips Park Cemetery 
• Gorton Cemetery 
• Manchester General Cemetery  
• Southern Cemetery 

The role holder will be required to understand and keep up to date with Council policies, and legislation and procedures that are specific to the role, and to undertake necessary training and development regularly to ensure they are compliant.  The role holder will also be expected to support the training and development of new staff. 

Cemetery Workers will support service delivery in relation to the following tasks, ensuring duties are carried out in the most efficient way, and that the service is delivered and maintained to a high standard: 

• preparing graves for burials and supporting burial services   

• operating cremators and carrying out the full cremation process 
• carrying out a variety of grounds maintenance and horticultural duties  
• providing front of house crematorium chapel duties 
• undertaking tasks relating to memorial safety testing 

The post holder will provide a sensitive, professional and tactful service to a range of customers which will include funeral directors and bereaved families, and should be able to communicate with sympathy, sensitivity, tact and professionalism.   

The role requires the post holder to drive fleet vehicles and operate drive on and manual equipment and machinery such as diggers, mowers, and power tools.  The role holder will be required to hold a clean driving license. 

The infrastructure team is required to work alongside other teams across all cemeteries and the crematorium, to coordinate and communicate tasks ensuring smooth and efficient delivery of the service.  Strong teamwork and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work proactively and use initiative and quick thinking to resolve problems.   

Bereavement Services actively participates in community engagement, working with community groups and Friends groups who play a key role in the delivery of the service, in line with the Our Manchester Strategy.  The role holder will be required to be proactive in encouraging schemes to minimise carbon, support community and Friends involvement and increase biodiversity. 

This is primarily an outdoor based role, with significant physical demands working in extreme outdoor conditions.   

Key Role Descriptors

The role holder will act as a member of a large team and contribute to the delivery of burial, cremation, memorial, grounds maintenance and other infrastructure functions within the Council’s cemeteries.  

The role holder will deliver a range of flexible, planned and responsive operational services for the bereaved, visitors and other stakeholders. 

The role holder will provide high quality, customer focused, flexible and timely operational services within the Council’s cemeteries. 

Key Role Accountabilities:  

Effectively and efficiently deliver a wide range of operational and environmental duties in relation to the delivery of burial and cremation services.  Duties include grave digging, cremator operation, grounds maintenance, horticulture and memorial safety functions, all carried out to agreed standards and performance management targets. 

Use a range of mechanical equipment and tools to undertake duties, ensuring that they are operated and used in a safe and appropriate manner, including the cemetery cremators ensuring all legislation in relation to emissions is adhered to.  

Ensure that any vehicles or mechanical equipment used is checked on a daily basis, kept clean and any defects reported. 

Work effectively with colleagues and key stakeholders including Funeral Directors and bereaved families, to develop and maintain effective relationships that will support the delivery of a customer focused seamless service. 

Assist with the training and development of team members to ensure that staff are equipped to carry out their work to the highest standards in a safe and efficient manner. 

Deal effectively with requests for service within designated timescales, respond to all queries in an efficient and courteous manner, using sensitive and responsive skills to deal with problems or questions appropriately. 

Apply a range of knowledge, technical expertise and skills to safeguard visitors and stakeholders. 

Actively participate in community engagement, working with community groups so they play a key role in the delivery of the service. Support projects with work placement opportunities to develop the skills of residents.  

Undertake duties in a safe and responsible manner, in accordance with established Health and Safety requirements, legislation and City Council policies, practices and procedures. 

Effectively complete basic work-related documentation and interpret plans and instructions. 

Personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement.