Cemeteries Team Leader in Newtownards

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Cemeteries Team Leader Directorate: Community and Wellbeing Department: Parks and Cemeteries Location: Throughout the Borough Reports to: Assistant Area Manager Responsible for: Cemeteries Workforce & Volunteers Salary Scale: Scale 6, SCP 20-23 Car User Status: Use of Council Vehicle PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE POST The person appointed will be responsible for leading the cemeteries team and volunteers in carrying out a range of burial, horticultural, grounds and facility maintenance service tasks within all Cemetery locations. To ensure effective communication with site users, other members of the team and line management. In addition, assist in the development of the Service through internal and external initiatives that engage Service stakeholders. To always ensure efficient and effective service delivery by the Parks & Cemeteries Service including mobile units in locations under your control. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Organise, allocate, and supervise the grounds maintenance and cemetery functions across the geographical area of the council. Ensure grounds maintenance and burial records are completed in an accurate and up to date manner using software provided. 2. Motivate and support staff as appropriate and to identify training needs. To undertake induction and on-going training of both permanent and temporary staff including volunteers. 3. Driving allocated vehicle and the transport of associated resources in a safe and proper manner. Including the completion of daily vehicle checks, recording of same and reporting defects before commencing work. Cleaning and lubrication of vehicles and equipment as required. 4. Deal with queries from members of the public in a courteous and sympathetic manner. Investigating and reporting on complaints and queries and ensuring corrective action is carried out where necessary. 5. Responsible for the accurate and efficient on-site burial process in accordance with agreed procedures, including the selection and identification of grave plots, opening for interment, burial and closure of same. Manual and mechanical grave digging including shoring, shuttering and backfilling of grave plots. Ensuring graves are sunk to the correct depth with proper cover. Assist with exhumation duties as and when required. 6. Manage the use of external contractors to support the core service as and when required. 7. Responsible for the planning and delivery of maintenance including the preparation and application of pesticides, the use of powered grass cutting equipment, other horticultural equipment, seasonal planting and aftercare, planting of trees and other large and small horticultural features including the interpretation of planting plans and schedules. 8. Ensure that all vehicles, plant, machinery, tools and equipment are correctly cleaned, serviced and maintained to ensure they operate to their maximum efficiency and safety levels. To record, tag and report any defects as required. Maintain machinery inventories as required. 9. Monitor and inspect the hard landscape, structures and buildings and report defects in same. 10. Undertake and maintain inspection records, employee records including timesheets, work completed sheets, inventories and the receipt of sickness certificates including the checking, coding and approval of timesheets on a weekly basis. 11. Adhere to and comply with all Council policies and procedures relevant to this role, including arrangements for safety and risk management are fully considered for all allocated tasks as appropriate. 12. Act as key holder as required including the maintenance, upkeep and cleanliness of relevant facilities. 13. Ensure appropriate use of supplied IT Equipment, mobile phones and associated software. 14. Carry out all specified, and any other relevant, duties to the highest of professional standards, protecting the reputation and always ensuring the integrity of the Council. 15. Participate in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of the Service Plans responding to changing trends and stakeholder needs. 16. To support the operation and implementation of the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) and develop opportunities for contributions to LBAP targets. 17. Organise and undertake duties outside normal working hours to reflect the needs of the Parks and Cemeteries service including evenings, weekends and public holidays. 18. Comply with and promote equality, health and safety in accordance with Council Policies and legal requirement. 19. Achieve high standards of personal performance, through meeting agreed personal targets and undertaking planned programmes of continuous professional development. 20. Examine opportunities to gain efficiencies and improve effectiveness including collaborative joint working and other innovative approaches to achieve a better public service. 21. To undertake any other appropriate duties as may be allocated from time to time in accordance with the general nature of the post that may be allocated by parks and cemeteries management to include the interchange of duties to cover leave, employee vacancies or illness. Note: The post holder may be expected to work outside hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service. PERSON SPECIFICATION The person specification provides information on the qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of the post. The essential criteria will be used for shortlisting and as part of the selection process. QUALIFICATIONS ESSENTIAL NVQ Level 2 inAmenity Horticulture, COTS, ILM or similar. PA1/PA6 Certificate of Competence in the application of Pesticides. Applicants who do not hold this qualification must commit to complete it within 12 months of appointment. DESIRABLE NVQ Level 3 qualification in Horticulture, Cemeteries or Management or similar. EXPERIENCE ESSENTIAL Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, that they have two years experience in: All aspects of cemeteries work including grounds maintenance. Supervisory experience within a team setting. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of work planning and control. Using a range of horticultural chemicals, machinery and hand tools in a safe manner. Providing a high-quality service in a public facing role. DESIREABLE Experience in key areas of Horticultural/Cemetery Supervision KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITY ESSENTIAL Excellent people management and motivational skills Understanding of Health and Safety and practical risk assessments. Use of IT Systems The ability to take responsibility for a team and work unsupervised. Good communication and organisational skills and an understanding and appreciation of the needs of the Public. OTHER REQUIREMENTS A full current driving licence valid in the UK (minimum Category B) is required to fulfil the duties of the post. Digger/Dumper Certification(Applicants who do not hold this certificate must commit to complete it within 3 months of appointment). Commit to completing a C1E driving licence, if category not held already. Be prepared to work outside of normal working hours at weekends, evenings and public holidays as dictated by the needs of the service. Appointment will be subject to completion of a medical questionnaire including a pre-employment Drugs and Alcohol Screening. A driving assessment by Council will form part of the selection process. DESIREABLE A valid driving licence to include categories C1E The above alternative (access to a suitable form of transport), is a reasonable adjustment specifically for applicants with disabilities, who as a result of their disability, are unable to hold a valid driving licence. The selection panel reserves the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria to facilitate the process when necessary41bf1e1f-b16b-4260-a40a-17c77a06fd15