BOROUGH COUNCIL OF KING’S LYNN & WEST NORFOLK
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLECrematorium and Cemeteries Manager
DEPARTMENTCommercial Services
SECTIONCrematorium and Cemeteries
POST NUMBERHH061
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To be responsible for the efficient and economic management of the Boroughs Crematorium and Cemeteries / Closed Churchyards to achieve a high quality, cost effective service ensuring implementation of all relevant policies and procedures / legislation which reflects the Council’s objectives and values.
KEY AREAS
- Provide the overall management of the Council Crematorium, Cemeteries and other associated services in a business like manner using initiative and best practice, but using tact, sensitivity and diplomacy creating an ambiance sensitive to the users of the facilities.
- To interpret and apply the law and Council policies regarding burial and cremation.
- To ensure that the crematorium and cemeteries are operated in a robust business environment and maintained to the highest possible standards in a cost effective manner
- Ensuring the Council responsibility under the Public Health Acts for the appropriate disposal of bodies is met.
MAIN DUTIES
- To manage the Council Crematorium and Cemeteries sites and in particular, to manage staff and resources to provide the highest possible standards and to meet the needs of the customers, with appropriate consideration for the need to show respect and sensitivity.
- To liaise closely with funeral directors and other customers to provide an effective high quality burial and cremation booking system and to ensure continuity of service, wherever possible.
- Overall responsibility that all paperwork is prepared and duly signed by the authorized Medical Referee, and that the Medical Referee is offering best value.
- Overall responsibility for Health and Safety of the cemeteries, including working with monumental masons to ensure compliance with the current Cemetery Regulations.
- Take the lead in forum and liaison meetings with funeral directors, religious representatives and members of the public in connection with the crematorium and cemeteries, and in promoting the services provided.
- To liaise with local community groups, agencies and other members of the public concerning the crematorium and cemetery in promoting the services provided.
- To ensure that all burials, cremations and services are conducted in a fashion commensurate with best practice regarding the prevailing religious or secular beliefs of the community involved in the cremation or burial in question.
- To effectively manage the available space for burials and the location of graves within the council cemeteries and to ensure the maintenance of accurate plans and records of burials that have taken place within those cemeteries.
- To maintain all the necessary legal records in relation to cemetery and crematorium management including burial, graves and plot owners records and all records relating to cremations and pollution emission controls in accordance with current legislation.
- To ensure that all statutory procedures are followed and that all files, records and registry as required by statutory regulations are maintained accurately and available for examination when required.
- Implement, monitor and maintain systems and records to ensure continuity of identification of coffins and remains following the cremation.
- Develop business plans and work programmes for approval by the Executive Director.
- Research, gather and interpret data in a clear and concise manner for the provision of reports to the Executive Director or Members.
- To maintain the security of the crematorium site by ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place for unlocking and locking the gates and buildings on the a daily basis.
- To lead and manage the team, consisting of administration and cremation staff in providing an excellent cremation and burial service for the bereaved.
- To ensure at all times adequate cover is provided for all cemetery and crematorium functions, including where necessary the engagement of suitably qualified and experienced temporary or agency staff.
- Work with both internal and external stakeholders, particularly the staff and funeral directors, to drive up standards for the cemeteries and the crematorium where identified as needing change and improvement.
- To promote and advertise the service and explore business opportunities to maximize and generate income for the service by means of sensitive marketing of the services provided.
- To effectively manage operations to ensure compliance with the emission limits in accordance with the pollution control permit applicable to the cremation process throughout the year and particularly during major works and upgrading of facilities, such as a replacement of cremators and installation of new ancillary equipment, whilst ensuring continuity of service and maintaining respect for the bereaved.
- To manage and monitor all budgets related to the cemetery and crematorium service, including making accurate projections on income throughout the financial year and to keep within set budgets.
- To ensure that corporate and departmental health and safety policies and procedures are implemented at all times and to raise any concerns regarding their operation or any other health and safety matters with the Executive Director.
- To formally respond to enquiries and complaints regarding the service, and to prepare detailed reports, including drafting of Cabinet and Panel reports.
- Responsibility for ensuring that any information collected, recorded, analysed or reported whilst undertaking the duties of this post is reliable, accurate, timely and in accordance with the principles of the council’s data quality strategy.
- Any other duties considered appropriate to the grade
THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF KING'S LYNN AND WEST NORFOLK
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE Crematorium and Cemeteries Manager
DEPARTMENTCommercial Services
SECTIONCrematorium and Cemeteries
POST NUMBERHH061
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
To be responsible for the efficient and economic management of the Boroughs Crematorium and Cemeteries / Closed Churchyards to achieve a high quality, cost effective service ensuring implementation of all relevant development policies and procedures / legislation which reflects the Council’s objectives and values.
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE IN THE JOB
Knowledge
Essential- Possession of the ICCM Certificate for Cremation and Cemeteries
- Knowledge of working with Microsoft Office programs
- A minimum of five years experience of working within the bereavement industry and the necessary specific varying needs of crematoria and cemeteries.
- 5 years previous staff management and supervision experience is essential,
- Hold a qualification for Cremator Operating issued by ICCM or FBCA
Desirable- Experience of working in a busy office environment
- Management qualification is desirable
- Possession of ICCM Diploma
- Knowledge of the maintenance needs of Cemeteries
- Detailed knowledge of the operational and maintenance needs of cremators
Skills
Essential- Excellent communication skills at all levels both oral and written
- Ability to work to strict deadlines without supervision
- Ability to organise work load to achieve effective use of time for own work and others
- Able to operate a crematorium / cemeteries and identify / assess H&S risks
- Ability to persuade and negotiate
Desirable- Ability to delegate work to achieve objectives
Attitude- An appreciation of the need to deal sensitively with the bereaved
- Self motivated to achieve targets for self and team
- Lead by example
- Commitment to customer care and a desire to deliver excellent standards of service and meeting the requirements of service delivery
- Ability to work effectively within a team or as an individual
- Flexible approach to working hours
- Able to demonstrate a capacity to work effectively on own initiative within constraints of the operational parameters of the service