Cemetery Operator I

Job Details:
Permanent Full-Time (CUPE 136)

Posting Status:
Open to all current Town of Oakville employees and external applicants

Closing Date:
Applications for this position must be received at oakville.ca by no later than 11:59 pm on December 23, 2024

This position reports to the Supervisor of Cemeteries & Environmental Services. This position performs duties relating to the operation of the Town Cemeteries. The functions performed in this position are in accordance with established procedures and practices.

Job Responsibilities:

• Plans, coordinates, executes and evaluates cemetery operations. Develops new and/or revises relevant policies and/or standard operating procedures for the section as required.
• Delegates work assignments to staff and students ensuring appropriate scheduling and quality control.
• Ensures work is performed efficiently and effectively in accordance with Town or Department maintenance standards/specifications, and other legislative requirements (e.g.: Labour and Health and Safety Regulations, Traffic Control, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, etc.)
• Hires students and monitors performance including initiating corrective action and/or progressive discipline when required. Assists with Seasonal hiring as required.
• Liaises closely with Supervisor and/or Manager to report progress, resolve issues, and refine planning.
• Ensures cemetery operations are conducted according to family requests for services and ensures that all requests are carried out on time and on schedule.
• Responds and investigates public inquiries, by-law issues and initiates work orders as appropriate.
• Monitors and maintains expenditures. Oversees allocation of resources (financial, employee hours etc.).
• Assists with budgets preparation, program development and staff training development.
• Accurately maintains daily records for the purpose of tracking, reporting and documenting of all cemetery activities and adjusts schedules as necessary.
• Interprets cemetery maps which confirm lot locations.
• Ensures all equipment is operated competently, safely and maintained in a good operating condition ensuring proper and timely documentation for repair of defective equipment (including circle checks of all assigned rolling stock).
• Keeps current with ongoing technical, cultural and procedural improvements in cemetery operations.
• Trains and guides staff, students, part-time staff and volunteers involved in activities.
• Supports information dissemination, training and communication for cemetery activities.
• Liaises with, and oversees the work of contractors and other service providers.
• Analyzes information, data, progress etc. and looks for means of improving cemetery operational performance.
• Represents the Corporation and Department in a professional, courteous and respectful manner in all dealings with the public, other groups, and associations.
• Perform role of Stand-in Supervisor on occasions when the supervisor is not available.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Horticulture or related field of study or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-3 years of progressively responsible experience in cemetery operations including preparing graves for burials, installing markers, turf management, pruning, operating relative equipment.
• Certifications in Forklift, Chainsaw, 0-8 tons crane operations and load securement are desirable.
• Knowledge of map comprehension and computer proficiency in Word, Excel and in use of e-mail, internet, ACR and JD Edwards programs and GIS are required.
• Proven experience in directing and assigning work to others, including training and monitoring work performance.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to cope with emotional stress involved in cemetery work are required.
• Demonstrated effective leadership, organizational, communication (both oral and written), customer service and problem-solving skills. Proficient time management skills and flexibility in adjusting between a variety of duties.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and as part of a team.
• Must hold and provide a copy of a valid and unrestricted Ontario Driver’s Licence Class DZ minimum (standard and automatic transmission) with a driving record that demonstrates responsible and safe driving behaviour. Note: Applicants with 6 or more points are ineligible for consideration. The successful applicant, who is a new hire, will be required to provide the Corporation with a current drivers abstract (no older than 30 days) and pass a Town administered road test as a condition of employment.
• Please note that successful candidates, who are new hires and/or who have not performed in this position previously will be required to provide a satisfactory criminal record check dated within the last 30 days as a condition of employment.
• Must be willing to work a 40-hour workweek in varying weather conditions and be available for shift work and stand-by as required including weekends and nights, and expected to work Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays when funeral arrangements so require.

DATED: December 2, 2024

This job profile reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the principal functions of the job. This does not include all of the work requirements of the job. Applicants are required to demonstrate through their application and in the interview process that their qualifications match those specified. The minimum threshold score for the interview is 75%.

We thank all applicants and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.