Cemetery Operative

About the job

Key information

• Casual Position
• £13.05 per hour
• Monday – Friday
• Variable hours per week
• Based in Yeovil

What will I be doing?

We’re working to improve the lives of people in Somerset – and you’ll be a key part of that.

The Cemetery Operative plays a vital role in maintaining the dignity and functionality of cemetery grounds by ensuring they are well-kept, safe and respectful environments for visitors.

Responsibilities include preparing gravesites, assisting with burials, maintaining landscaping and memorials and supporting bereaved families with professionalism and compassion.

Preparation of graves, interment plots and other cemetery groundwork will be in accordance with ICCM Code of Safe Working Practice and Health and Safety legislation and the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977.

You will undertake duties supporting all areas of cemetery management, including preparing grounds for interment of ashes, exhumations, section and individual grave checking and mapping, memorial checking and regulatory enforcement, statutory attendance at funerals and individual plot management, forming part of memorial care to the highest standard to deliver a service of respect and reverence.

You will carry out a range of grounds maintenance duties, including grass cutting, strimming, application of weed killers and pesticides, hedge cutting and brash removal, path clearance, litter collection and general repairs as directed by the Team Leader.

You will carry out a range of horticultural duties on sites, including shrub bed maintenance, fine turf and grass reinstatement works, ornamental and elective pruning, seasonal care of flower beds and decorative planters.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. Please see below requirements for this role:

• Full UK Driving Licence.
• Have or be willing to work towards the ICCM Cemetery Operatives Certificate.
• Have or be willing to work towards Digger and Dumper Certificate.
• Have a Topple Stone Certification or willing to work towards obtaining Certification.
• Ability to work alone and assess the risks posed in a dynamic work environment
• Ability to follow oral and written working instructions and procedures and communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions for the majority of the working day, irrespective of severity.
• Good time management and organisational skills, being able to work on own initiative.
• Ability to work safely in a role, with a good level of physical fitness.
• Ability to record information on either a paper based or electronic system.
• Ability to work flexibly according to the needs of the service

We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What is in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more…

Supporting documents and information

When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.

For an informal chat about the role, you can contact John Ranger or Kat Perham on 01935 476718 or email kathryn.perham@somerset.gov.uk

Interviews will be scheduled to take place on the 8th and 9th of December at Yeovil Crematorium

If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button – we can’t wait to hear from you.

Apply on the Somerset Council website

Apply now