Operational Supervisor Bereavement

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Worcester City Council to work in our Bereavement Services Team based at Astwood Cemetery and Crematorium. We are extremely proud of the service we offer to our residents, and we continue to hold the Institute of Cemeteries and Crematoria Management (ICCM) Charter Gold Award for providing outstanding service for both burials and cremations, but also scoring highly in other areas such as staff expertise and grounds maintenance standards. Our site at Astwood has achieved Green Flag status for the 2^nd consecutive year, and our Covid Memorial Garden also scooped the 'British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons (BRAMM) Bereaved Community Award' Silver Prize in 2023. We are also on a journey to electric cremators. The Council has secured a £1.2m Government Grant to install electric cremators and heat recovery during 2026/27, replacing our existing gas cremators which are now over 25 years old. This will make us the first crematorium regionally to offer electric cremations and progressing our environmental sustainability and carbon reduction goals. Reporting to the Bereavement Services Manager, you will support a team of officers with their day-to-day activities providing support, guidance and quality monitoring as required. You will represent the Council at meetings with individuals, funeral directors, other local authorities, and faith group leaders and to support the Service Manager, with service planning, performance and budget monitoring. You will have experience of working in a similar environment and of supervising or managing a team within the sector. The role requires enthusiasm and innovation to continue our journey on expanding our services in a commercially driven environment with ongoing work which includes, burial space expansion and cremator replacement & crematorium refurbishment project. Given the sensitive nature of the service, it is essential that you have a high level of empathy and good communication and customer care skills. What can we offer you -

• An excellent pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Up to 31 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service.
• You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas.
• Hybrid working arrangements
• To undertake an ICCM Diploma in Cemetery and Crematorium Management (if not holding qualification already)
• Be part of the Wider Worcester Management Team accessing management and leadership development opportunities
• Career development by playing a key client-side role in our Cremator Replacement and Crematorium Refurbishment Project
• Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services. This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family.
• Health and leisure discounts and tax-free bikes for work
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We would like to help you shine during this process. If you need any assistance with applying please contact the Recruitment team on recruitment@worcester.gov.uk. We can assist with alternative formats for your application or offer a MS Teams interview for example.

We may not be a large local authority but we still have ambitious plans, including the development of our historic and beautiful city, increasing tourism and driving economic vibrancy. Working for Us Worcester City Council is always on the lookout for talented individuals, who want to make a real difference to our city and can help us to continue building on our success. We are committed to seeking excellence in everything we do, including smarter ways of working and enhancing employee wellbeing. We have moved away from traditional ways of working for the majority of our roles, towards hybrid working, including home working, hot desking and flexitime. By encouraging better work-life balance, we gain a healthy, happy, engaged and thriving workforce, who then deliver meaningful outcomes for Worcester. We will offer You
• You will normally work a 37-hour week (although we have part time roles too). Annual leave starts at 26 days and rising to 31 days after 5 years' service, in addition to paid public holidays.
• A generous flexitime scheme (where applicable) that can accrue an additional two days off per month
• An additional fixed day off over the Christmas period and you can purchase up to 5 additional days' holiday per year.
• Incremental pay increases within your grade, alongside any national pay awards.
• Flexible working options including working from home and the right to request a variance in weekly hours and/or a reduction in hours.
• Our valued Local Government Pension Scheme, where on average we contribute two thirds' costs to an employee's one third costs, with tax relief on these contributions, as well as protecting your family on your death You also have the option to exchange part of your pension for a tax-free cash sum on retirement.
• We want you to develop and thrive in your role so we will invest in your training and professional development, including any required professional subscriptions.
• A wide-ranging benefits platform, making your salary stretch further, with money-saving deals on your weekly groceries, high street retailers, technology purchases, holidays and luxury items, all accessible via an App on your personal devices.
• A long service award.
Supporting Your Wellbeing
• A free and confidential employee assistance programme (EAP), available 24 hours, to aid your work life balance.
• Time off given for volunteering, for the benefit of Worcester.
• Heavily subsidised leisure activities at the Council's gyms and swimming pools (seven centres across Worcestershire).
• Cycle to work schemes
• Access to electric bikes for travel between sites
• Free eye tests for visual display users and seasonal flu jabs
• Enhanced family friendly policies and enhanced sick pay.