Cemetery Supervisor

Reporting to the Bereavement Service Operations Manager you will supervise and lead Cemetery and Memorial Maintenance Teams within the Bereavement Service Team. The Team undertakes all aspects of the cemetery grounds and burial processes in accordance with Council and Service policies, standards and procedures, legal requirements, and professional codes of practice. 

 

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

About the role

You will be based at Henley Road Cemetery & Crematorium Office, All Hallows Road, Reading, RG4 5LP but the role covers all cemeteries under the control of Reading Borough Council.

 

You will strive to ensure the graves and grounds are kept to the highest standard and maintain the safety of all our visitors across all the cemeteries and churchyards we manage.  You will have a practical and hands on approach as and when required.  With a polite and courteous manner when dealing with visitor enquiries.

Duties include:

• Supervision/direction of all operational cemetery/memorial staff and any relevant contractors ensuring compliance with all corporate health, safety and welfare policies, to plan, direct and coordinate contractors and implementation of cemetery regulations.
• Ensure that all administrative duties are conducted in accordance with regulations and methods as specified by the department including the legal requirements and professional Codes of Practice.
• Ensure all work is carried out with 100% accuracy and with a methodical approach.
• Adhere to the Council’s Customer Care Policy ensuring a sensitive and caring approach is maintained in relation to the range of services provided
• Work with the management team in identifying new business and areas for improvement
• Implement any changes in regulation and ensure that all staff are briefed on the changes as well any implications of the said change.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

 

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently, and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

 

About you

You’ll be required to work some weekends, evenings and Bank Holidays; this will be on a rota basis and be flexible to adjust working hours to meet operational requirements

 

The following experience is required for this role:

• Good general standard of education, preferably at GCSE at Level 4 or above including Maths and English.
• First Aid / Health and Safety Qualification
• ICT Literate – able to use Microsoft Office, Outlook and relevant databases
• Working in an open spaces environment in a supervisory capacity with grounds maintenance / gravedigger / stone mason or other related skills
• Relevant experience within a customer facing environment.
• Speaking with bereaved people with compassion, understanding and cultural awareness
• Must be of smart appearance when required to meet members of the public, attend meetings or provide cover at customer facing events.
• Prepared to work towards ICCM COTS (grave digging) course and Cremator Operator Qualification or equivalent

 

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

 

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• A children’s day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) is available at the Civic Offices in Reading located at the civic offices rated outstanding by Ofsted.
• 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, greener car for three years.  The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

 

For more information on this position please contact Brenda Ellis - Bereavement Services Operation Manager at brenda.ellis@reading.gov.uk    

Closing Date: Sunday 19^th January 2025

Interview Date: TBA

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.