ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON UPON THAMES
JOB DESCRIPTION
Directorate/Department:
Job Title:
Environmental Health &
Technical Officer/ Senior Technical Officer
Trading Standards
Grade: E/F
Section:
Post Number:
Bereavement Services
RELATIONSHIPS
1. RESPONSIBLE TO: Team Leader, Bereavement Services
2. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
3.
IMPORTANT INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: All Cemetery and Crematorium staff
4. IMPORTANT EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Memorial Masons
Funeral Directors
Clergy/Officiant
Bereaved/Public
Contractors
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
General
Responsible for completion of work programmes to highest standards in the following areas:
All aspects of cremation services
All aspects of burial services
All aspects of memorial safety checks
Hard/soft landscaping tasks’ in relation to memorial development (memorial garden/features constru
& maintenance)
e. Grounds maintenance
Adhere to appropriate Health &Safety requirements for works being undertaken.
a.
b.
c.
d.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES OF JOB
General
Liaise with Funeral Directors, Clergy, bereaved over matters relating to cremation,
burial & memorial services.
Attend funerals, strewing of cremated remains.
Carry out such functions to ensure the efficient performance of this service.
Cremation
To operate cremators & associated duties & to complete general crematorium
duties as required.
Ensure the completion of the administration/registration relating to all cremations to
ensure correct identification and storage/surrender of cremated remains.
Ensure that stock levels are maintained for EPA monitoring, cremator consumables,
cremation urns and janitorial suppliers.
Ensure daily catafalque operation is correct and that rollers are quiet and have free
movement, all hi-fi equipment, lectern microphone, induction loop and organ are
working.
Ensure a high standard of cleanliness throughout the crematorium complex in
accordance with Cremation Regulations.
Carry out routine maintenance of cremators, ancillary equipment & EPA monitoring
equipment.
Cemeteries
To undertake grave digging/maintenance tasks as required using machinery or by
hand.
Correctly identify graves for excavation and complete risk assessment with regard
to method of excavation albeit mechanical or manually & use of appropriate
methods of shoring.
.
Ensure graves are excavated to sufficient dimensions to accommodate coffin/casket
size and shoring and that coffin boards are placed securely for bearing party.
Responsible for preparation/reinstatement of graves for funerals to the highest
standards.
Ensure grave is reinstated on day of funeral and that coffin/casket is not left
exposed/unattended.
Responsible for implementation/completion of reinstatement of graves to ensure all
graves are level and turfed/seeded.
Assist in the design/layout & preparation of burial grounds.
Memorials
Inspect memorials & report any safety concerns to the Team Leader
Construction of memorial features, seat bays, memorial foundations &
replace/remove memorials to facilitate grave excavation and/or grounds
maintenance tasks.
Grounds Maintenance
Responsible for maintenance, safe use, cleaning & safe storage of all
plant/machinery in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions & relevant
legislation & Codes of Practice.
Carry out grounds maintenance tasks to include, mowing of grass, planting
maintenance of rose, flower, shrub beds & pruning of the same, hedge cutting, path
maintenance, weeding including use of pesticides/herbicides, use of chainsaw, use
of a variety of sit & ride & pedestrian plant/machinery
Other
To undertake such other duties commensurate with the grading of the post, as may
be assigned to the Service.
To understand and work in accordance with RBK Equal Opportunities, Health and
Safety and other relevant policies.
Criteria for progression to Senior Technical Officer:
Have gained the NVQ Level 2 Certificate of Proficiency
As directed by the Team Leader, attend all cremation services & to carry out
cremations, maintain separate identification & prepare cremated remains for
disposal/collection & associated tasks in accordance with legislation and
Codes of Practice.
Ensure all cremations are carried out in accordance with the Environmental
Protection Act 1990.
Responsible for day to day provision of the cremation facility
To ensure the completion of the administration relating to all cremations.
Maintain a logbook of all faults/repairs for all cremators, ancillary equipment
& EPA monitoring equipment.
Provide periodic ‘remains held’ report to office.
As directed by the Team Leader, attend all burial services & to excavate,
prepare, backfill graves by hand or using machinery as appropriate &
undertake associated tasks to carry out burials in accordance with legislation
and Codes of Practice.
Ensure correct identification, orientation, depth & size of graves, update
cemetery plans, allocate grave numbers & prepare burial instructions to
Technical Officers.
As directed by the Team Leader, to maintain a programme of periodic grave
reinstatement checks/works.
As directed by the Team Leader, maintain a programme of memorial
inspection, evaluation & repairs.
Liaise with Monumental Masons on the erection of memorials.
Liaise with the public on matters relating to memorials.
Administer the memorial permit system and undertake calibrated stability
tests of memorials
To carry out calibrated safety tests of memorials & to ensure calibration
certification is maintained up to date.
To be proficient in all aspects of grounds/horticultural maintenance & to carry
out maintenance duties using a variety of tools, plant & equipment to include
excavators, dumpers & ‘sit & ride’ mowers & to drive the same inclusive of
on public highways from work site to work site.
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of safe use, operation and maintenance of
a variety of plant and equipment in accordance with manufacturers
instructions
Prepare, build & maintain memorial gardens/features.
In the absence of the Team Leader to liaise with Administration Section with
regard to daily funeral bookings and programme work schedules
accordingly.
Perform key holder and locking up duties as required
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Demonstrates an understanding of the needs of the bereaved.
Sympathetic and caring nature.
Able to work outdoors and undertake physically strenuous tasks
Able to work on own or as part of a team.
Good communication skills
Able to follow written instructions and update records.
Experience of operating machinery.
Full UK driving licence
Can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of sound health and safety
practice.
Desirable Criteria
Qualifications:
Health & Safety - ICCM training certificate in manual handling
Cremation duties - Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme, Intermediate
Certificate for ICCM Crematorium Technical Operations
Cemetery duties - i) Health & Safety and the Burial Process ii) Excavator
Operations
Memorial duties – ICCM training certificate in practical, legal & health & safety
elements of memorial management
Grounds maintenance duties - Safe Mowing in Cemeteries, Part 1 & 2
Is expected to obtain the Crematorium Technicians Training Scheme – Certificate of
Proficiency within the pre-determined probationary period of one year relevant to this
post due to training requirements.
Understanding of equal opportunities with regard to service provision.
Previous crematorium/cemetery experience
Previous grounds maintenance experience.
Previous experience of dealing with people.
Willingness to study for relevant professional qualifications