At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide compassionate administrative support in a rewarding bereavement services role.
- Company: Join Maidstone Borough Council, dedicated to high-quality community services.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, free parking, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy excellent career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives during challenging times.
- Qualifications: Empathy, attention to detail, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26840 - 28434 £ per year.
About the Role
Vinters Park Crematorium & Maidstone Cemetery are currently offering a part-time opportunity as Bereavement Services Officer, providing administrative support to the service and a warm front-of-house presence to those who are dealing with bereavement. We deliver in excess of 1800 cremations a year, approximately 130 burials, and offer memorials for families to remember their loved ones in our gardens of remembrance. The postholder will focus on the administration of cremations, confirming bookings, payments and processing cremation paperwork. This role requires conversations with funeral directors and members of the public. Although Bereavement may sound sad to some, this is a truly lovely environment to work in, very rewarding and very worthwhile. We are seeking a compassionate, organised and adaptable individual to join our team delivering a first-class service. This role is office based on site at the crematorium, and hours need to fit within opening hours which is 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. This is a part-time position working 30 hours per week (Monday to Friday), on a permanent contract.
About Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is a confident organisation with ambition and aspirations to deliver high-quality services to our residents and local businesses. We strive to make the borough an attractive place for all and secure a successful economy. We continue to build on our strengths - assets, knowledge and expertise and our track record for innovation and improvement to create a financially sustainable future so that we can continue with our undiminished plans. We will only achieve the results we are aiming for through the talents and hard work of all our people. You are encouraged to become part of our vision and in return you can expect support, training, and fair reward from us. We will give you the opportunity to develop the skills to do your job well and create a positive working environment where your ideas about improving how we do things are valued and we manage the changes needed for new ways of working well.
At Maidstone Borough Council we recognise the importance of flexible working and the benefits this can bring to both our staff and the Council. We know that by offering employees a range of flexible working opportunities we can positively impact their wellbeing and engagement, and drive productivity in return. As such we have developed a highly flexible hybrid working policy, alongside our flexi time and flexible working policies, enabling staff to shape their working patterns around building a greater work life balance.
Our Offer:
- A range of benefits including: Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
- Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New year.
- Free parking
- Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities
- Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
- Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand-new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
- Annual flu vaccine
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping
- Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals
- A professional fee payment, if required for the role
About You:
The ideal candidate will have an empathetic attitude and be able to converse and deal with members of the public, clergy, funeral directors and associated staff in a sensitive manner. They will also be able to work well as part of a team. The ability to be methodical and follow rigorous set procedures relating to cremation and burial procedures is essential. Pride in your work and a high standard of accuracy and flexibility is required. Being empathetic with a keen eye for detail will make you an ideal candidate for this role.
Selection Process:
Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job specific interview assessment, followed by an interview. The Council considers this to be a customer focused role and the ability to converse at ease with customers adapting communication style to suit differing audiences and provide advice in accurate spoken English is fundamental to the role. Maidstone Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employee and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to discuss this position please contact Hannah Banfield, Bereavement Services Operational Manager on 01622 602941.
Interview date: Friday 23rd October 2026
Bereavement Services Officer in Maidstone employer: Maidstone Borough Council
Maidstone Borough Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and community impact. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to local infrastructure projects, making it a rewarding place to grow your career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Bereavement Services Officer in Maidstone
✨Connect with the Community
Get involved in customer support communities online! Platforms like Reddit and specific Facebook groups can be goldmines for sharing opportunities and tips. You can find out about part-time roles that might not even be advertised yet — it's all about who you know!
✨Attend Local Job Fairs
Job fairs are perfect for snagging part-time gigs! Keep an eye out for local hiring events and career expos in your area. It’s a brilliant chance to meet representatives from companies like Maidstone Borough Council and show off your personality in person.
✨Boost Your Visibility
Showcase your skills in online customer support forums or by offering help on platforms like Zendesk Community. A strong online presence can catch the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers looking for genuinely passionate candidates.
✨Apply Directly Through Us!
Don’t forget, applying through our website is one of the best ways to catch our attention. Tailor your application for the part-time customer support role at Maidstone Borough Council and let us see your personality shine through!
We think you need these skills to ace Bereavement Services Officer in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Communication Skills:In customer support, communication is key! Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your ability to clearly convey information and resolve issues. Use examples that illustrate how you've helped customers or colleagues in the past.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:Employers want to see how you tackle challenges. Include specific instances where you resolved a tough issue for a customer or improved a process. Real life scenarios are a great way to showcase your critical thinking and adaptability.
Tailor Your Application to Part-Time Work:Since this is a part-time role, be upfront about your availability in your cover letter. Highlight how you can balance work with your other commitments. It shows you're organised and committed to making the role work for both you and Maidstone Borough Council.
Get Familiar with Our Brand:Before applying, take some time to learn about Maidstone Borough Council and our approach to customer support. Mention in your cover letter why you're excited about supporting our customers specifically. It’ll show your enthusiasm and that you've done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maidstone Borough Council
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
In customer support, being able to communicate clearly and effectively is key. During the interview, make sure to demonstrate your listening skills and your ability to explain solutions simply. Use examples from past experiences where you resolved customer issues successfully.
✨Know the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with common customer support tools like ticketing systems (think Zendesk or Freshdesk) and chat software. If you’ve used any of these in previous roles or during your studies, be ready to chat about your experiences. Showing you can hit the ground running with these tools will impress Maidstone Borough Council.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since this is a part-time role, emphasise your ability to adapt to different shifts and your willingness to handle varying customer volumes. Share any experiences where you thrived in a fast-paced environment or juggled multiple tasks, which can highlight your time management skills.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Interviewers often love scenario-based questions in customer support roles. Be ready to tackle common customer situations, like how you'd handle an unhappy customer. Practising responses to these scenarios will showcase your problem-solving ability and customer service mindset, which Maidstone Borough Council will surely appreciate.
