Job title: Trainee Crematorium Technician
Salary: B1 £25,584 - £27,269
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds Crematoria
As a Trainee Crematorium Technician, you’ll thrive within a highly skilled team of dedicated Crematorium Technicians and be part of the wider diverse council where you will have the prospects to succeed. Best City Ambition
The successful candidate will be a highly flexible, well-motivated self-starter who possesses excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing the highest level of service to the bereaved. This post will include evening and weekend work as overtime where required.
Training will be within the workplace environment where you will be expected to work towards obtaining the Cremator Technician’s Certificate of Proficiency, (CTTS). The role of a Crematorium Technician has the potential to offer further career development opportunities either within a Bereavement service setting or across the wider Council.
Upon attaining the Cremator Technician’s Certificate of Proficiency, you will be employed as a permanent Crematoria Technician currently graded at C1, (subject to vacancy) where you will be responsible for the operating of the cremators and working with front of house services dealing directly with the public and Funeral Directors.
Due to the sensitive nature of the post, you must have a calm and mature manner as the work will also involve the handling of containerised human cremated remains.
The post holder will also be responsible to ensure accurate records of the cremation process are maintained and can work both indoors and outside as some of the duties will include showing people around the site and may involve walking on undulating terrain, including supervising burials and appointments. Some lone working will be required.
It is essential that the post holder is willing to travel and work at any of the 3 crematoria within Leeds to cover staff absences.
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 a Trainee Crematorium Technician, you will bring to the role:
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
- The ability to work well with others and be thorough and pay attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal communication skills and can understand people’s reactions.
- A desire to learn, develop help people.
- Be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer and possess good literacy skills.
About the role
As our next Trainee Crematorium Technician, you’ll, be part of a larger team responsible for providing an outstanding front line customer service delivery to the bereaved and our stakeholders. Best City Ambition
You will work closely with contractors, stakeholders and other employees of Leeds City Council and create close working relationships with all.
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.
- A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please *complete the online application form and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
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 Sarah Roebuck, Principal Bereavement Services Officer Call 0113 3786002 or email parks@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - 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 and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job description
LEEDS CITY COUNCIL - Job Description
Directorate: Climate, Energy and Green Spaces
Service Area: Bereavement Services
Job Title: Trainee Crematorium Technician
Grade: B1
Responsible To: Senior Crematorium Technician
Responsible For: N/A
Conditions of Service: NJC Conditions apply.
Job Purpose:
To learn the role of Crematorium Technician, whilst assisting in the provision of an efficient and effective cremation service to the public of Leeds, through attendance at the service and operation of the Crematoria equipment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
To undertake training on the job to follow the Crematorium Technicians' Training Scheme to obtain the recognised qualification.
Working under the supervision of more experienced and senior staff, develop the skills, and gain knowledge and experience to carry out the full range of a range Crematorium activities, at a suitable level of proficiency.
Preparation of the chapel for service according to denominational or non-religious requirements, arrangements of flowers and decorations etc.
Escorting mourners into and out of chapel, dealing sympathetically with distressed mourners and enquiries.
To assist in the service as required.
To assist in the removal of coffins after committal, removal of floral tributes and the placing of floral tributes on the flower area following the service.
To assist in the charging of coffins into the cremator.
To assist in the strewing or interring of ashes, which may occasionally take place in the presence of mourners.
To learn and undertake the safe operation and routine maintenance of the cremator, cremulator, auxiliary equipment and miscellaneous equipment such as sound equipment, cool store, catafalque and biers.
To clean, the chapel, cremator room, vestry, toilets, Book of Remembrance Room, ancillary buildings and surroundings areas.
To clear the flowers as required and to dispose of old flowers to appropriate waste area.
Carry out necessary checks prior to cremation regarding identification and documentation.
To undertake the removal of metal objects from cremated remains.
To pack ashes for dispatch.
Undertake associated clerical duties concerned with the recording of cremation times, disposal of ashes, fuel consumption, memorials and environmental protection records.
To assist in monitoring and maintaining filtration equipment including adding reagent and removing the spent reagent for collection.
To accompany visitors to existing memorials or to assist with the viewing of various memorials available.
Assist with the interment of burials when required.
To always observe, the Code of Cremation Practice as laid down by the Federation of British Cremation Authorities.
To comply with the Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies of the City Council and legislation regarding employment conditions, Disability Discrimination Act and data protection.
To comply with the defined procedures and Standing Orders of the City Council, particularly regarding Financial and Procurement regulations.
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.
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 Equality & Diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
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.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
The post may be based at any point within the Leeds City boundaries.
Part of the working day will be spent within the Crematorium premises which can be a warm working environment. Appropriate clothing will be provided and it will be expected that Crematorium staff will be of neat and tidy appearance when involved on Chapel duties.
The post also requires the ability to assist with heavy lifting and movement of coffins.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Some evening and weekend work will also be necessary. Arrangements are agreed with your Manager to ensure that appropriate cover for the cremation service is maintained. Some lone working may be required in this post.
QUALIFICATIONS
The postholder will study for the Cremator Technician’s Certificate of Proficiency.
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 or Certificate.
SKILLS
Ability to communicate with a wide range of people individually and in groups and at all appropriate levels.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to meet strict deadlines.
Ability to keep accurate records.
Ability to use information technology systems.
Ability to produce reports.
Ability to assist with the lifting and moving of heavy objects.
Ability to display a calm and sympathetic attitude, particularly when dealing with the bereaved.
Ability to work in a warm, heated environment.
BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER RELATED CHARACTERISTICS
Enthusiasm and interested in providing an excellent service to the people of Leeds.
A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities.
A commitment to undertake training and development activities needed for the role.
Flexibility in working practices as cover for staff shortages, evening and weekend work will be required.
Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
To carry out all duties having regard to employee’s responsibilities under the Council’s Health & Safety Policies
Willing to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION 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 duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of customer care procedures.
Knowledge of Health and Safety procedures.
Driving License
EXPERIENCE
Experience of Customer Care procedures.
Experience of dealing with the bereaved.
Job Description Content Prepared / Reviewed by:
Name Simon Frosdick
Designation Head of Bereavement Services and Workshop
Date 03/08/2023
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