Grounds Technician

Grounds Technician

Hours per week: 37.5 per week, Monday – Friday (over a flexible working contract)

Location: Epping, Essex, CM16 6AD

Salary: Competitive salary based on experience (plus performance incentives)

Role Type: Permanent

Driving License: Full Licence Required 

About our client:

Our client is the largest privately owned mid-sized provider of bereavement services in the UK. They offer a sustainable alternative to traditional cemeteries through their beautiful woodland and traditional memorial parks. They operate six sites across the UK, including a single site multi-brand strategy at one of their operations.

They provide a unique end of life experience for bereaved families, with a focus on preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of these serene locations. They provide families with a distinctive and often eco-friendly way to memorialise their loved ones. Providing a personalised service in a unique and caring environment for all their families and they are looking for exceptional people to join their team.

Position overview:

As a Grounds Technician, you will need to ensure that you complete all duties relating to grounds maintenance, to include digging of ash interments and ash scatterings, maintenance of plots, placing of memorials and digging of plots for burials.

You will have the ability to work under pressure and maintain personal deadlines to ensure the delivery of the seasonal work programme, plus ensuring all landscaping is completed including planting, mowing, weeding, plant maintenance and grave digging. 

Ensuring all company procedures regarding H&S, risk assessments, first aid, safety procedures, safe storage of equipment, company property, security and the welfare for others are maintained at all times. Plus, a genuine enthusiasm, sensitivity and compassion for working with people during a very difficult time. 

Key responsibilities:

CUSTOMER SERVICE DELIVERY

• Ensure you consistently promote the highest standard of professional customer service
• Customers are greeted and acknowledged in a warm and friendly manner and all questions are answered
• Parking management for large funerals / multiple funerals or events (park specific) 
• Complete all funeral duties including the supervising / digging (and backfilling) of graves, ash interments and ash scatterings
• Work with the wider park team to assist with building set up for services and events if required 

WOODLAND / GROUNDS / FACILITIES MAINTENANCE 

• Complete tree felling /maintenance; climbing, coppicing, pruning, and chipping (training provided)
• Deliver Woodlands Maintenance tasks to the company’s ‘WOW’ standards for maintenance
• Complete all grounds maintenance tasks and implement the Company Standard for the Maintenance of Burial Circles and Graves and the Landscape Maintenance Framework, including the surveying of plots and burial trees
• Ensure all “landscaping” is completed, including the planting, tree management, hedges, shrubs etc.
• Placing and cleaning of memorial posts, wildlife boxes and topping up bird feeders
• Maintenance of buildings, facilities, equipment, site furniture and boiler (where applicable) 
• Delivery of Woodland / Grounds projects, such as for key events, seasonal planting, coppicing, creation of prestige areas etc.

ADMINISTRATION

• Maintain stocks of materials and products required for the grounds
• Collect/deliver all delivery notes, invoices, digging tickets or any other administrative documents, safely between the ground team cabin and the office

OHS

• Ensure all aspects of Health and Safety are carried out at all times, this includes risk assessments, safety procedures, safe storage of equipment and company property 
• Follow the correct H&S procedures to ensure own safety
• Ensure gates and all buildings are opened and closed as required
• Carry out regular H&S/maintenance checks on machinery, tree safety, boundaries, etc.

Qualifications:

• Driving Licence required
• Knowledge of woodland management
• A passion for supporting their families and community showing empathy and respect at all times
• Experience in landscaping or horticulture (desirable) ideally with a horticulture qualification
• Experience working outside in all weather conditions
• Grave Digging experience preferable

Benefits include:

• Supportive work environment and opportunities for professional growth
• Exceptional holiday entitlement of 33 days inclusive of bank holidays
• Enhanced Pension 6% Employer & 3% Employee
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Healthcare Plan
• Company Sick Pay
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free parking on site
• Annual Flu Jab Voucher
• Me day, a day off for your Birthday

Due to the high number of applications expected, should you not hear from the team within two weeks of your application, you have unfortunately been unsuccessful.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. They encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.