Crematorium Grounds Operative in Walthamstow

Organisation: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Salary: Scale 5 £32,535 -£34,488

Contract Type: Full time - Permanent

Working hours per week: 36 Hours

Application Deadline: 13/08/2026

Proposed Interview Date(s): TBC

Reference: 2192

About Us: Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work. We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London’s Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace.

About the role: The role involves maintaining cemetery grounds, crematorium surroundings, and associated buildings to a consistently high standard. This includes ensuring that all external and internal areas are kept safe, functional, clean, and well-presented for visitors, mourners, and staff.

• Key responsibilities include the upkeep of lawns, graves, pathways, memorial areas, and landscaped features, as well as the routine inspection and maintenance of buildings, infrastructure, and site equipment.
• The post-holder will ensure that all areas are free from hazards, compliant with health and safety standards, and accessible to the public.
• Working collaboratively with wider site staff, suppliers, and local stakeholders, the Grounds Person will contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the crematorium.
• Flexibility will be required, with duties adapting to seasonal changes, special events, and the evolving needs of the business.

We are a Home Office–licensed sponsor; however, for this specific role we are not able to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. To be considered, you must already hold a form of UK work authorisation that does not require sponsorship.

Key Responsibilities:

• To undertake the maintenance of the cemetery grounds and its surrounds including grass cutting, hedge trimming, planting, pruning, seeding, turfing, ground levelling, leaf clearance and weed control.
• To operate, clean and maintain a wide range of plant equipment and vehicles including mechanical diggers, dumpers, mowers etc in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
• To respectfully scatter or inter, cremated remains and assist families with the interment of contained cremated remains in shallow graves.
• To uphold and comply with the statutory provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and any other associated legislation.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Experience of grounds maintenance in a professional context.
• Ability to cope/deal with trauma.
• Sympathetic to bereaved persons.
• Numerate & literate.
• Ability to undertake practical tasks.
• Experience or prepared to be trained in checking vehicles & machinery and basic maintenance.
• Experience or prepared to be trained driving digger/dumper/ride on mowers with commitment to completing relevant COTS/LANTRA Excavator & Dumper courses.

Terms and conditions:

• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
• Satisfactory DBS check;
• Suitable driver’s license;
• As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications online by pressing the ‘Apply’ button below. This includes a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is committed to meeting its equality objectives.

Contact Information: If you have any questions about this vacancy or the application process, please contact Ian Sheppard Head Of Parks and Open Spaces at Ian.Sheppard@walthamforest.gov.uk.