ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by Thursday 4 June 2026 AT 11:55pm.

Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE.

Location: Forrest Street Depot, 18 Forrest Street, Blantyre, G72 0JP

Hours: 37 hours per week

Work Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8am - 4pm and Friday 8am - 3.30pm

Salary: £31,001 - £33,432 annual salary

Community and Enterprise Resources are seeking to appoint a Cemetery Operative within our Bereavement Services team based at our depot in Forrest Street, Blantyre.

The successful applicant will be working in a small team and as such due to the extremely sensitive nature of working in cemeteries the successful candidate is expected to perform tasks in a dignified and professional manner. Applicants should be aware when applying for this role it requires you to be working daily with the bereaved and it is a requirement to be mindful of the sensitivities and heightened emotions for those who are using/visiting our premises. This is a front-line role, and you may be approached by those affected in what is the most distressing time for them, as such you should bear this in mind when considering applying for this post.

The main roles and responsibilities will include the following:

Assist with the identification of lairs.
Excavation of lairs in line with safe digging practises as prescribed in the Council SSOW and COTS.
Assistance with interments including the backfilling of lairs, lair make up and the installation of new foundations for headstone placement.
Undertake basic grounds maintenance duties when not doing cemetery associated tasks.
Experience of using mini excavators and/or dumpers is desirable. Training will be provided on Cemetery Operative Training Scheme (COTS) if required and on the use of hydraulic shoring.

The service provides interments throughout the year and in all types of weather. Service provision includes public holidays and weekends, it is therefore an essential criterion that the successful candidate is expected to be available to work during these times and conditions.

View the Grounds Operative (Cemeteries) job profile

Please answer the following questions as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents

Are you able and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions throughout the year?
Do you have experience working with machinery in a high profile setting?
Are you able to perform physically demanding tasks on a daily basis?

If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.

Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of twelve months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement

The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.

As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.

As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
Up to 33 days annual leave
Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
Occupational sick pay
Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

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