DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Public Realm Operative - Gravedigger
Grade: 4
Service: Public Realm
Service Area: Public Realm
Responsible to: Chargehand
Date Issued:
Job Purpose
As a member of the Public Realm cemeteries team to undertake cemetery
excavations by hand and mechanical means using a JCB2CX excavator and mini
digger. During operations to be aware of and comply with Health and Safety
legislation and Denbighshire County Council policy governing grave digging. A high
level of discretion and sensitivity needs to be displayed by cemetery staff at all times
during this type of work. Other cemetery duties include the maintenance of the
cemetery grounds and other duties with the mechanical excavator/loader. The
applicant will should be able to display the ability to complete full range of Public
Realm tasks in accordance with Denbighshire County Council’s contractual and legal
obligations. In addition to these duties, the post holder will be qualified and
experienced enough to be able to undertake horticultural duties including propagation
and basic supervision of staff.
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities
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When required and under the direction of the Team Leader Public Realm, to
undertake work in the County’s cemeteries (including grave digging), public
parks, playing fields, landscaped areas, amenity areas, schools and public areas.
To assist other Team Leaders when required in a wide variety of Public Realm
duties
Duties include the general maintenance of areas, such as grass cutting, hedge
trimming and the clearance of leaves and litter, to constructional laboring work,
the dismantling of sports and other equipment and the cleansing of pavilions,
furniture etc.
Other duties will include the undertaking of horticultural operations such as
planting, pruning and seeding.
The preparation and construction of soft and hard landscaping
Tree care and propagation.
The driving of a pick up, ride on mower, JCB excavator and mini digger together
with the operation of tractor mounted equipment as required. In additional to the
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usual range of tools and equipment, the use of powered hand tools and light
plant.
The carrying out of regular vehicle checks as per the Denbighshire County
Council vehicle policy.
To remove litter, debris, loose chippings, animal carcasses, sharps, animal
fouling, accident debris, oil, fly tipped materials (this list is not exhaustive), from
public highways, public areas, car parks and beaches etc. as required by manual,
mechanical, vacuum sweeping methods as required.
To remove graffiti.
To empty litter and dog waste bins as required.
To dispose of all debris as directed
To control and remove all unwanted vegetation as required
To carry out work familiarisation with colleagues, including agency staff
To adhere to the relevant Health and Safety procedures and the Denbighshire
Environmental Services Quality Assurance standard
To work as part of a team.
To correctly fill all relevant paper work, e.g. job tickets/job sheets.
Resources/Equipment/Material
Shared responsibility for JCB and hand tools/equipment
Supervision/Management of People
No day to day supervision, however, occasional supervision of lower grade
operatives may be required from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Experience
The post holder should have experience of excavator/loader operations, preferably
with experience of cemetery work, hold a current driving license and be proficient at
operating a variety of items of plant, such as ride on mowers. Preferably the post
holder will have CITB or Lantra registration for JCB type machinery.
The post holder must have horticultural based experience, preferably with experience
of pitch marking and maintenance and also bowling green maintenance.
The post holder must be able to work as part of a team as well as in isolation.
A good standard of physical fitness and the ability to work during inclement weather
are a pre requisite.
An awareness of Departmental, Corporate and National Health and Safety legislation
would be advantageous, as would knowledge of manual handling techniques.
Good interpersonal skills are important when dealing with members of the public,
particularly during work in the cemeteries and the ability to speak Welsh would be an
advantage.
Special Working Conditions
The postholder will be required to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
Employment Checks/ Specific Requirements
The postholder will be required to undertake a full range of grave digging,
cemeteries and Public Realm requirements in all weathers and to a specified
standard as laid down by their line manager.
Vision/Context
This post enables Denbighshire’s Environmental Services to meet its
contractual and legal requirements in terms of the services it is obliged to
provide within the Public Realm and will assist in attaining the County’s vision
to make our unique towns, villages and countryside even more attractive.