Job title:Memorial Compliance Officer – Bereavement Services
Salary:£29,777 - £31,364
Hours:37
Contract:Permanent
Location:The Arium, Leeds, LS14 3FB and Farnley Hall, Leeds, LS12 5HA
We have an exciting opportunity for a highlymotivated and dedicated individual to come and be part of the City Council’s Bereavement Service team. There are many career development opportunities within this particular sector and job opportunities like this do not often come up.
Leeds is one of the busiest burial and cremation authorities outside of London and we are looking for someone who can work in a multi-disciplined role for which full training will be given.
As a Memorials Compliance Officer, you will need to have a sympathetic and diplomatic approach to your work especially when dealing with the bereaved in relation to matters regarding grave compliance and display a partnership approach when dealing with our stakeholders.
Working with both the Masons Team based in LS14 and the Technical Support Team based in LS12, you will be undertaking the inspection of memorials and be expected to study to become a qualified Memorials Inspector. You will also be responsible for ensuring grave compliance at any of the Council’s 24 Cemeteries. A large element of the work will require you to write letters to the public, so a sound knowledge of IT skills in this area is essential, with particular attention paid to accurate detail.
The role of the Memorials Compliance Officer in Bereavement Services is rewarding and does involve lone working outside in all weathers.
A full, driving licence is essential to allow the post holder to access remote sites and a company vehicle will be provided for this purpose.
Your working week is 37 hours and will be based at The Arium, LS14 and at Farnley Hall, LS12 but you could be asked to hot desk anywhere within Leeds.
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 Memorial Compliance Officer, you will bring to the role:
- An ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- An ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders at all levels.
- An ability to display a calm and sympathetic attitude when dealing with the bereaved.
- An ability to deal with complaints with regards to compliance disputes and ensure appropriate resolutions.
- An ability to produce written communication paying attention to accurate detail and ensuring it is recorded both manually and electronically.
About the role
Reporting to the Senior Memorials Officer the role provides an opportunity to work across a range of disciplines to contribute towards the maintenance of compliance standards throughout the Councils 24 cemeteries.
As our next Memorials Compliance Officer, you will work alongside a varied group of stakeholders, including grave owners, monumental masons and other colleagues to ensure standards are upheld within cemeteries, in line with Council policies.
The role forms part of our Technical Team which is an integral part of the wider Bereavement Services department.
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 benefitsto help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor 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 Glen Ford, Senior Memorials Officer. Call 0113 378 8148 or email glen.ford@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. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. 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
Job purpose
To ensure grave compliance within the Council’s managed cemeteries and to work as a team member within the Bereavement Service office providing advice and guidance to members of the public on bereavement and technical related matters. To supervise and be responsible for the accurate recording of information in relation to memorials.
Responsibilities
- To ensure, where appropriate, that all memorials are inspected and managed in accordance with approved codes of practice and appropriate statutory legislation.
- To carry out the constant appraisal and management of memorial compliance and to prepare and implement an ongoing inspection programme in accordance with approved guidelines.
- To carry out inspections of all memorials to identify safety hazards and remedial work required and the implementation of grave enforcement.
- To record, implement and monitor all memorial surveys and audit works, categorising memorials into various levels of work compliance required.
- To liaise with structural consultants, monumental masons, contractors and technical staff on matters relating to memorial works.
- To undertake verification that all standards have been met in formulating and implementing any works programmes.
- To supervise all memorial works in accordance with approved standards.
- To set up a system of ongoing management of memorials and registration of monumental masons, in accordance with the scheme formulated by the Council and that all registration requirements are adhered to.
- To undertake notification and consultation process with memorial owners in accordance with statutory regulations and the Council’s cemetery policies.
- To undertake checks regarding conservation orders or faculty jurisdictions for the memorials requiring works.
- To ensure that all works undertaken by monumental masons and contractors comply with specifications, health and safety requirements and timescales, taking appropriate action where necessary.
- To ensure that the installation of all new memorials are in accordance with the approved Codes of Practice and regulations laid down by the Council.
- To comply with the Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies of the Council and legislation regarding employment conditions, Disability Discrimination Act and data protection.
- To undertake such associated duties as may be commensurate with the post and grade.
- Dealing with all sensitive information in compliance with information Governance.
- Responding to Complaints and FOI requests as required by senior management
- Overall responsibility for maintaining both electronic and paper based historic and recent grave memorial records.
- To be responsible for producing reports to the Bereavement Services Manager in relation to grave compliance and any other related issues commensurate with the post.
- 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.
Qualifications
- Qualified Memorials Inspector – NAMM Accreditation or equivalent
Essential requirements
It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- Ability to communicate with a wide group of people individually, in groups and at all appropriate levels.
- Ability to display a calm and sympathetic attitude, particularly when dealing with the bereaved.
- Ability to record accurate information both manually and electronically.
- Ability to analyse / collate data and produce reports both from written and database information.
- Ability to work to tight deadlines.
- Ability to file accurately, both numerically and alphabetically.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to undertake manual inspection procedures of memorials.
- Ability to assess priorities and make decisions within established policy guidelines.
Knowledge Required
- Knowledge of monumental types and proven methods of installation.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation and current issues on memorial operations.
- Knowledge of gravedigging methods and operations.
Experience Required
- Experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel
- Experience in the use of paper filing systems.
- Experience inputting information onto a database.
- Experience of keeping records, checking and producing reports and follow up procedures.
- Experience of situations whereby a sympathetic understanding of people in grief has been required.
- Experience in dealing with complaints.
- Experience of dealing with enforcement / compliance.
- Experience in co-ordination and supervision of project-based work.
- Experience in working with Monumental Memorials.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
- A full, driving licence will be required as the post holder will be required to travel, with equipment to any of the 24 cemeteries and crematoria throughout Leeds.
- The post holder will be required to maintain effective working relationships with Ward Members and staff at all levels in the Climate, energy and green spaces service, other directorates of the city council and the public, liaison with external agencies.
- Although the post is primarily based at The Arium in the Leeds 14 area, the post holder may be required to work from any site within the City Council boundaries. The post may require some outdoor investigative / survey work involving covering reasonable distances, possibly on undulating terrain and working outside in all weathers.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behavioursand codes of conduct
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering theBest City Ambitionof Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Be aware of and be able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements
It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Knowledge Required
- Current First Aid qualification.
- Knowledge of the Council’s Financial Regulations.
- Knowledge of Quality Assurance procedures.
- Knowledge of Customer Care procedures
Experience Required
- Experience of working in a customer focussed environment
