Cemetery Operative (Bereavement Services) - Ref: EE03226 G6: £31,537 - £34,434 per annum (Plus standby and call out payments) Our Bereavement Service grounds team provides a high quality and sensitive service to a wide range of faiths and cultures across the Walsall District. We are looking for a Cemetery Operative to assist with the delivery of funerals and the grounds maintenance of seven cemeteries across the Borough. The work will mainly involve the excavation and preparation of grave plots, both using machinery and by hand, statutory attendance at funerals and other activities connected with the maintenance of cemeteries and closed church yards, including: Undertaking duties across all areas of cemetery management which also includes grave checking and mapping, exhumations, memorial safety checking and regulatory enforcement as well as updating records electronically. Carry out a range site maintenance duties including grass cutting, application of weedkillers and pesticides, hedge cutting using a range of machinery and hand tools. Support a range of horticultural duties, including shrub bed maintenance, ornamental and elective pruning and seasonal care of flowerbeds and planters. The successful candidate must have: - A current Full UK Driving Licence Willingness to work in an outdoors based role, irrelevant of weather conditions with the ability to sustain periods of heavy physical effort. Understanding of the importance of health and safety on site and the following of safe working procedures. Ability to cover a burial rota covering evenings ( summer season), weekends and Bank Holidays throughout the year on a standby and call out basis. The ability to conduct themselves appropriately and deal with members of the public, funeral directors and other stakeholders, often in sensitive situations. Previous experience of a ground’s maintenance role, operating a range of machinery or use of horticultural equipment would be an advantage, as would an NVQ in Amenity Horticulture (or willingness to work towards). Evening work (during summer months) and weekend/bank holiday duties are required on a rota basis. You will be asked to provide a copy of your full driving licence at the interview stage. If you would like to know more about this role, please contact: Andrew Lingard or Sarah Unwin via email at BereavementServices@walsall.gov.uk View Job Description and Employee Specification Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form. Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information. We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time. At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole - particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ - reflects your own voice. Closing date for applications: 29th May 2026.