At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to prepare graves and maintain cemetery grounds with respect.
- Company: Wakefield Council, dedicated to enhancing community services.
- Benefits: Full-time hours, ongoing training, discounted transport, and great leisure perks.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Driving licence, plant machinery qualifications, and grave digging experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Cemeteries Operative to enhance the quality and effectiveness of our Council’s Street Scene & Bereavement Services.
What will be expected from me?
To work as part of a team in the Council’s Bereavement Service with particular duties relating to the Cemeteries Team; preparing graves and maintaining the grounds, whilst working in a manner which maintains an atmosphere of reverence and respect.
What I might be doing?
- Undertake a range of grave related work, including repairing graves, vault construction, dealing with collapsed and flooded graves, dealing with cremated remains, carrying out exhumations.
- Maintain high standards of maintenance in cemetery grounds by undertaking a full range of grounds maintenance work including grass cutting, re-instatement works to worn or damaged areas of grass, shrub bed maintenance, planting, hedge cutting, weed spraying, sweeping of paths, litter picking, emptying of litter bins and removal of old floral tributes.
- Carry out minor repairs to the cemetery infrastructure i.e. paths, walls.
- Operate pedestrian mowers, strimmers, hand-held hedge cutters, back pack blowers and similar items including hand tools.
- Operate a range of powered grounds maintenance machinery and plant including JCB, mini diggers, tractors, ride-on mowers, side-arm hedge cutters and pneumatic drills. Ensure that all machinery and equipment used is well maintained, fit for purpose and operated correctly and safely at all times.
- Deal positively with service users providing advice and guidance as needed and assist them with their enquiries.
- Play an active role in achieving consistency and in maintaining high standards of maintenance throughout the cemeteries.
- Report accidents, near misses, damage and acts of vandalism or antisocial behaviour.
- Assist with emergency plan incidents, including winter gritting and major clean ups.
- Maintain effective communication with the line managers and office support staff with regard to information on burials to ensure that the correct graves have been identified prior to excavation works. Maintain accurate records of works undertaken.
Essential requirements:
- Driving licence categories C1+E.
- NPTC level 2 plant machinery or equivalent qualification.
- CITB Mechanical Excavator accreditation or equivalent qualification.
- Appropriate training / qualifications in managing safety.
- Appropriate qualification in grave digging.
What can I expect?
- This is a full-time post of 37 hours per week.
- Support and ongoing training.
- Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
- The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Great range of benefits including discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program with a dedicated personal trainer, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, cycle to work scheme and many more.
For further enquiries please contact Tony Bowler, Bereavement Operations Officer on 01924 307446 or for further information and guidance, or to apply online please visit Wakefield Council’s website.
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council feel free to contact Nicola Miller. Tel: 01924 307831 E-mail: nmiller@wakefield.gov.uk
To apply please click the Apply Now link below. This role expires 09/11/2025.
Cemeteries Operative (Burials) (Full Time) in Wakefield employer: Environmentjournal
Wakefield Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment where team collaboration and respect for the community are paramount. Employees benefit from ongoing training, a comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme, and a variety of perks including discounted public transport and leisure facilities, making it a rewarding place to grow professionally while serving the community.
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We think this is how you could land Cemeteries Operative (Burials) (Full Time) in Wakefield
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We think you need these skills to ace Cemeteries Operative (Burials) (Full Time) in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
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