Cemetery Operative

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Salary: Grade 5, £26,824 - £29,540 per annum. £13.90 - £15.31 per hour

37 hours per week

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Your role:

You will carry out a full range of duties to effectively deliver cemetery-based operations including, grave excavations and the delivery of the grounds maintenance and be sensitive to the needs of grieving families dealing with bereavement.

You will provide exceptional customer service, be adept at dealing with a range of customers, and be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Council when working in the borough. You will lead by example and motivate others to work to collective goals and actively seek ways to improve the service, suggesting new ways of working and embracing change. Some weekend work is required on a rota basis.

About you:

You must have experience of working within a cemetery or grounds maintenance service and you will hold the current certificates for Institute of Cemetery & Crematorium Management (ICCM), Cemetery Operatives Training Scheme (COTS) & operation of 360° mechanical digging machinery, hold a full and valid Driving Licence including category “B” towing of trailers.

You will be:

• An enthusiastic individual, with a flexible approach to work in a busy environment.
• A hardworking individual who has a proactive approach to their work.
• Working as part of a team.
• A helpful and friendly approach.
• Professional smart appearance.

About us:

Wigan Council has been voted ‘Overall Council of the Year’ at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

This role will provide the opportunity to join an award-winning team with the successful candidate becoming part of a service that supports Wigan as being a great place to live, work and visit and deliver services that are high quality, flexible and responsive. We are committed to invest in relevant training for any successful candidate.

In return you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including a pension, staff discounts, loyalty rewards, training and development, paid annual leave and a flexible approach to service delivery.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits click here to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Prove your right to work to an employer

For further information, please contact Gary Fewkes at g.fewkes@wigan.gov.uk

Interview date: Week Commencing Monday 16th March 2026

To view the details relating to this position, please click the links below: