Grounds Maintenance Operative (Cemeteries)

Job Introduction

We have a number of opportunities for hardworking, collaborative and compassionate individuals to join BCP’s Bereavement Care Team and support the delivery of our cemetery service.   BCP Bereavement Care currently delivers up to 600 burial services across the BCP conurbation each year and is responsible for the safe operation and management of nine cemeteries.

Working as part of a busy and dedicated team you will have responsibility for delivering a full range of grounds maintenance and horticultural duties across all cemeteries in line with the Grounds Management Plan including the laying out, excavating and back-filling of graves.   You will use your own initiative to maintain personal deadlines in line with the delivery of projects, such as for key events, seasonal planting, coppicing and the creation of prestige areas.    Routine duties will include tree maintenance such as felling, coppicing, pruning and chipping, ensuring all landscaping is completed, including planting, grass cutting, bracken and weed control.

Role Purpose

To take an active and positive role within BCP Council’s cemeteries and bereavement sites, carrying out grounds maintenance and horticultural duties, assisting with grave digging operations (both manually and mechanically), and assisting other team members with all aspects of work carried out by the Bereavement Care Team.

Main Responsibilities

• Carry out grounds maintenance operations within cemeteries, including grass cutting, hedge cutting, and other general horticultural duties as per the Cemetery Grounds Management Plan.
• Carry out grave digging operations, both mechanically and by hand, including accurate selection and marking out of grave spaces and backfilling of grave spaces following burial (training provided) that comply with industry best practice.
• Use appropriate, industry-recognised grave shoring methods and equipment (training provided) that comply with industry best practice.
• Drive and operate departmental vehicles and specialist plant and equipment, including excavators, tractors, vans, utility vehicles, breakers and ride-on mowers, and to be responsible for the basic checks, safety and cleanliness of such equipment before and after use.
• Assist with customer enquiries regarding cemetery matters and to report or escalate these enquiries to the Cemetery & Grounds Maintenance Supervisor as appropriate.
• Adhere to all Health and Safety requirements, whilst carrying out duties.
• Complete, review and update dynamic and general risk assessments as and when required.
• Complete all paperwork (both electronically and paper) associated with grave digging operations.
• Work with volunteers, apprentices, funeral operatives and memorial masons in delivering and developing the service.

The Ideal Candidate

• Basic numeracy and literacy skills with a good understanding of the English language both written and orally. 
• Current full UK driving licence.  
• Trained or qualified or working towards a City & Guilds, BTEC or NVQ qualification in commercial landscaping or horticulture (or equivalent experience). 
• Experience of working within a cemetery environment.  
• Experience of commercial grounds maintenance operations or excavations.  
• Able to work outside in all weather conditions (appropriate protective clothing will be supplied).
• Be physically fit to maintain prolonged periods of manual labour.
• Able to work safely, using PPE, when undertaking duties with appropriate safety measures and equipment as detailed in the Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments. 

About BCP Council

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, word-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package to colleagues. Find out more on support.aspx" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(54,30,84);text-decoration:none;">our website.support.aspx" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(54,30,84);text-decoration:none;">support.aspx" style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(54,30,84);text-decoration:none;">

As a result of the creation of BCP Council in 2019, we are working on simplifying our terms and conditions of service and will be creating a single pay structure which is to be applicable for all employees. It is important to us that we offer benefits that our colleagues value as part of their total employment package and we are reviewing these to make sure we have it right. We are in the process of establishing a timescale for implementation and colleagues joining us will be included in these changes. This is expected to be in place in 2024.