Assistant Bereavement Officer
1 Permanent role and 1 Fixed Term Contract for 12 months
Grade B - £28,598 - £33,699
Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review
Working 36.5 hours per week (Weekend and Bank Holiday working will be required to work any 5 days in 7 on a rotational basis to support operational requirements at Handsworth or other cemeteries / crematoria operating a weekend/ Bank Holiday Service)
Birmingham City Council Bereavement Services manages the city’s cemeteries and crematoria. The successful candidate will provide support to the Head of Bereavement Services, Registrars and teams in connection with the administration, booking and organisation of funerals and any appropriate statutory requirements on a day‑to‑day basis utilising appropriate computerised systems.
As this is a Peripatetic Role covering all of the Birmingham area, the applicant will need to demonstrate an ability to work flexibly.
Prior experience of working with Microsoft applications and providing administrative and secretarial support to senior managers is desirable.
What you’ll be doing:
* Deputising for the Bereavement Officer and supporting the provision of efficient discreet services
* Liaising directly with the public, service users and funeral directors both in person and by telephone regarding all aspects of the burial and cremation service
* Booking and Administration of burial and cremation services
* Maintaining statutory registers and all associated documents ensuring regulatory compliance, including the official cremation register
* Leading on funeral services (both burials and cremations) and oversee burials as required
* Carrying out witness scatters in line with procedures
* Memorial Administration including producing information packs for applicants regarding memorial schemes and processing memorial orders with contracted suppliers
* Retrieve and prepare reports for monthly medical referee and organist fees to support payment processes
* File, box and store all burial and cremation papers and related documentation
What you’ll need:
* Previous experience of working regularly with the public in a death care field, with appropriate inter‑personal skills to cope with the sensitive nature of dealing with bereaved families
* Administration experience in death care field
* Ability to work sensitively with people from diverse, multi‑cultural communities.
* Understanding of equal opportunities and how it impacts service delivery.
* Exceptional accuracy, methodical working practices, and strong numeracy skills.
* Excellent written and verbal communication.
* Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing work demands.
* Understanding of legislative requirements relevant to the role.
* Ability to supervise others effectively.
* Flexibility as Weekend and Bank Holiday working will be required to work any 5 days in 7 on a rotational basis to support operational requirements at Handsworth or other cemeteries / crematoria operating a weekend/ Bank Holiday Service.
* Willingness to undertake on‑the‑job training and attend relevant courses to support personal development and organisational objectives.
* Good standard of education:
What we offer in return…
* Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund – with generous employer contributions
* Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days, increasing with length of service
* My Rewards Scheme – access to 800 plus brands providing discounts and savings
* Health and wellbeing support – independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling, occupational health
Please upload your up‑to‑date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.
For any informal enquiries please contact the Resourcing Team.
Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.
Birmingham City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our citizens and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You can view our Corporate Safeguarding Policy Birmingham City Council here.
Job Description and PersonSpecification
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