Job Description
Ready to make a meaningful difference every day? Join Cheltenham Borough Council as a Bereavement Services Grounds Operative.
Location: Cheltenham, GL50 9SA
Salary: £26,824 - £28,142 (pay award pending wef 1 April 2026)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Closing Date: 29 April 2026
Come and work for an award-winning organisation!
We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council. We are committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting what is good about our town.
We aim to be an employer of choice where everyone is treated fairly and feels valued and respected. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Working at Cheltenham Borough Council means working as part of a committed, professional, and friendly team.
Bereavement Services Grounds Operative - The Role:
We currently have an excellent opportunity for the right person to join our Bereavement Services grounds team. If working outside in all weathers, while completing a wide variety of physical tasks is what you find rewarding, we would love to hear from you.
From maintaining memorial gardens to supporting funerals with respect and care, you’ll be part of a service that works hard to deliver high standards to the bereaved.
Bereavement Services Grounds Operative - What you’ll be doing:
- Grounds and memorial care across two cemeteries, which includes grass care, tree planting, landscaping, memorial safety checks, memorial fixing and installation
- Preparing graves for burial, using an excavator and hand tools, then back filling graves after the burial
- Operate vehicles and machinery, in a safe and efficient manner, whilst adhering to health and safety regulations
- Attend training as and when required
- To be part of the burial and cremation process whilst being respectful of the environment you are working in
- Provide help to the public, with empathy and calm
- Assist in designing new memorial areas and improving service offerings
Bereavement Services Grounds Operative - You:
- Proactive team member with a positive attitude and a strong customer-focused approach to service delivery
- Experienced in grounds maintenance, including grass care, landscaping, and physically demanding manual work.
- Able to communicate sensitively and professionally with bereaved individuals, visitors, and colleagues.
- Works effectively under pressure, maintaining accuracy while meeting strict timescales and handling detailed paperwork.
- Flexible and reliable, willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions and undertake additional hours when required.
- Capable of supervising staff, coordinating contractors, and supporting crematorium operations when needed.
Benefits:
- An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (pro rata) rising to 31 days (pro rata) after five years (excluding Bank Holidays).
- A flexible and agile working environment. We aim to provide opportunities to work from home or elsewhere and offer flexibility in working hours.
- A comprehensive programme of learning and development.
- Two days (pro rata) paid time off for volunteering.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity schemes.
- Access to free counselling services.
- Upon successful completion of your probation period, you will then have access to our Healthcare Cashback Plan.
- A cycle to work scheme.
- Low-cost town centre parking.
- A commitment to employee wellbeing.
Closing Date: 29 April 2026
To submit your CV for this exciting Bereavement Services Grounds Operative opportunity, click Apply today!