Leading Bereavement Technical Officer - REQ003332

Job title: Leading Bereavement Technical Officer

Salary: C3 £32,061 - £33,699

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Farnley Hall, LS12 5HA

As Leading Bereavement Technical Officer you’ll thrive in a skilled, dedicated, and enthusiastic team and be part of the wider diverse council where you will have the prospects to succeed. Working in support of the Bereavement Services Technical Manager you will deputise in their absence to organise and direct available resources to undertake incoming workstreams ensuring compliance to processes.

The successful candidate will have the ability to supervise others and direct activities to meet sometimes quickly changing priorities. They will have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to deal with members of the public sensitively when they are distressed and in grief. Attitude and ability are much more important than experience.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As our Leading Bereavement Technical Officer, you will bring to the role:

The calm ability to responding to a wide range of bereavement related enquiries from customers including face to face enquiries from the public, funeral directors, medical practitioners, registrars, and HM Coroner’s office.

A methodical approach to accurately record and cross check information in relation to cremations, burials and memorialisation to ensure that the required legal documents are processed in a timely fashion.

You will be able to accurately record and process credit/debit card payments using online card payment software and via hand held terminals and assist with collation and processing of monthly accounts

About the role

As our next Leading Bereavement Technical Officer you’ll will be part of a small, dedicated team, working in busy public facing environment where accuracy and a ‘right first time’ approach really matters. The role would be perfect for someone with transferable skills who is looking to develop their career and take their first steps into supervision.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities and a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Jessica.hodgson@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: To support the Bereavement Services Technical Manager deputising in their absence to organise and direct available resources in order to undertake incoming workstreams ensuring compliance to processes. To work as a team member within the Bereavement Service office providing advice and guidance to members of the public on bereavement and technical related matters in line with the objectives of the Climate Energy and Green Spaces service. To accurately record information in relation to cremations, burials and memorialisation and to train and mentor subordinate staff where required.

Responsibilities:

Responding to a wide range of bereavement related enquiries from customers including face to face enquiries from the public, funeral directors, medical practitioners, registrars, and HM Coroner’s office.

To ensure that all customers are provided with an appropriate and timely response.

To accurately record information in relation to cremations, burials and memorialisation to ensure that the required legal documents are processed in a timely fashion.

For the accurate recording and processing of cash, cheque and credit card payments and processing of monthly accounts.

Recording of information on computer databases, interrogating computer systems to retrieve information and interpreting geographical information.

Scanning, inserting and indexing of plans and documents using a document management system and ensuring that the records are consistent between all systems.

Dealing with sensitive information ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

Participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.

To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.

Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.

Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person

Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council.

Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

ICCM Certificate or several years experience working within Bereavement Services support.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

Ability to supervise others and direct activities to meet priorities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to deal with members of the public sensitively when they are distressed and in grief.
Ability to work to tight and competing deadlines and to lead others to meet goals and objectives.
Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge of cultur\al differences when dealing with multi faith bereavement services.
Possess a sound knowledge of the role and functions of the Bereavement Services team.
Technical knowledge of process controls in relation to burials and cremations.
Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures

Experience Required

Previous experience in dealing with members of the public, MP's Councillors and officers.
Several years experience in processing funeral applications and associated record keeping.
Experience of working to tight and competing deadlines

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

Committed to continuous improvement.
Ability to understand and observe Leeds City Council Equal Opportunities Policy.
To carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health & Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development particularly to broaden skills set relating to burial and cremation operations.
Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.