Volunteer Churchyard Groundskeeper

VOLUNTEER CHURCHYARD GROUNDSKEEPER

Job Description November 2023

NAME OF CHURCH/BODY: Oulton Broad Team Ministry (OBTM) – St. Michael’s Oulton

ROLE TITLE: Volunteer Churchyard Groundskeeper

ACCOUNTABILITY – WHO WILL YOU BE ACCOUNTABLE TO?

Reports to the Team Vicar – (OBTM)

Accountable to the Team Vicar and Team Rector - OBTM

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY – WHAT SUPPORT WILL I BE GIVEN?

The postholder will have three-monthly supervisory meetings. Complete all training requirements that are appropriate or the role including safeguarding training, lone working, working at heights inc. appropriate ladder course, training for working with chemicals such as weed killer and other ecologically acceptable products covered under COSHH regulations.

HOURS – WHEN AND WHERE WILL YOU BE DOING THE ROLE?

No set Hours.

Work will take place at St. Michaels Church Ln, Oulton Broad Lowestoft NR32 3JP or occasionally St. Marks Bridge Rd Lowestoft NR33 9JX and St. Lukes 62 Homefield Avenue, Lowestoft NR33 9BX

GENERAL SUMMARY – WHAT IS THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE?

Managing the Churchyard team and joining them in all areas of work: Cutting and strimming of grass, maintaining graves at the request of families and expressly with their permission, maintains Churchyard grounds, including but not limited to; seeding, fertilising, monument and marker setting, operating earth moving and lawn care equipment, and Churchyard cleanup including putting out and retrieving the bins.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES- WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

· Follows all safety rules and regulations. Brings safety concerns to direct supervisor.

· Responsible for the overall presentation and appearance of the Churchyard which includes: mowing grass, pruning shrubs, trimming trees, spreading of pesticide/herbicide, and planting/maintaining landscaping.

· Monitor any future watering systems and all lawn maintenance equipment and conduct or schedule repairs as needed.

· Treating Gravestones with appropriate chemicals or products agreed with our OBTM Greem Team,

· Maintain and use public areas providing a safe and professional environment.

· Cleans mausoleums and statues.

· Works individually or in partnership with other assistant groundskeepers and volunteers to: properly ensure accuracy of interment and entombment; dig and set up graves; open and close graves, niches, crypts; and sets markers, crypt bars and niche bars; all under the supervision of a funeral director only.

· Purchase supplies within established procedures.

· Work with supervisor to ensure all record keeping is done within established procedures and with adequate safeguards to ensure accuracy.

· Assist clients with the location of gravesites.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – WHAT TRAINING REQUIRMENTS ARE THERE?

Education: At least some education related to the role, or, period of appropriate job-based training in a similar role.

Appropriate education to enable you to read labels and complete paperwork.

Experience: Some experience in a similar role that shows competence and the ability to be safe.

Experience with lawn and garden equipment is essential.

Require: If employee uses the Churchyard vehicles or hired equipment, the employee must have a valid driver’s license and is subject to a driving history background check for insurance purposes.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, lift and/or move heavy objects and is frequently required to lift and move items around the Churchyard.

The volunteer Churchyard Groundskeeper is occasionally required to sit, reach with hands and arms, climb ladders, stoop, kneel crouch, and talk and hear.

The volunteer Churchyard Groundskeeper is required to work onsite Monday – Friday with occasional weekend work when necessary.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work of the position.

They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. The person needs to be able to deal with any other task that arises that is reasonably foreseeable to be part of this role.

DBS – DISCLOSURE AND BARRING REQUIREMENTS:

This role requires a full enhanced DBS check.

Our Churchyard is a place or mission, ministry, and pastoral care; including the provision of such for vulnerable adults and children. The Churchyard manager will be a part of the extended ministry team and shares the responsibility to care for people and witness Christian values. This requirement is in line with our equal opportunities policy and the policies existing within the Oulton Broad Team Ministry. The post holder would be required to work within all safeguarding policies and work in full cooperation with the Diocese of Norwich safeguarding team if requested.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD – HOW DOES THE ROLE BECOME MINE?

The post hold will complete a review after 3 months and a final review after 6 months of a probationary period. If the post has been completed satisfactorily for both parties, then it will be made permanent with an agreement as to regular supervision. A decision to refuse this post going beyond the probationary period can be made for any reason the ministry team discern. If this is the case the reason will be communicated to the applicant.

DISCIPLINARY AND GRIENVANCE – WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A DISAGREEMENT?

The post holder would come under the line management of the Team Vicar with Incumbent status for St. Michael’s Church Oulton. Should there be a need to pursue a matter through a disciplinary procedure; this would be a meeting with either the Team Vicar, Team Rector, or both. The opportunity to issue and written warning, a final verbal warning and then dismissal is a useful route to resolve problems of facilitate the end of a role; however, in appropriate circumstances dismissal could be the first option and is available.

A grievance can be brought to The Team Vicar of St. Michael’s Church Oulton or the Team Rector of the Oulton Broad Team Ministry.

Refusal or repeated operation in this role that disregards all or any health and safety, lone working, safeguarding, or other policies agreed by the Parochial Church Council may result in disciplinary action, suspension from the role and dismissal.

ROLE DESCRIPTION CREATED BY: REV. ANDREW BUNTER – TEAM VICAR OBTM

Application Form available through Church Contacts:

DATE: 04th December 2023