Cemeteries Administrator

BSNI are working with Belfast City Council to recruit a Cemeteries Administrator. This role is temporary.

Job title
Cemeteries Administrator – Admin & Clerical
Employment type
Temporary
Number of people required
1
Target start date
28 Aug 2026
Duration
12 Weeks

Hours per week
37

Rate
PAYE: £14.35 per hour

Job location
4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP, United Kingdom

Monday to Thursday 08.30am to 5.00pm

Friday 08.30am to 4.30pm

Main purpose of job

To be responsible to the Bereavement Administration Manager, through the Senior Cemeteries Administrator, for the work in a site-based cemetery office or in the central public office (Cecil Ward Building) as required.

To provide clerical and administrative support to ensure the service meets its objectives in a cost efficient and effective manner.

To respond to enquiries and complaints from the public and representatives from the bereavement industry; providing practical advice and front line customer support as required, in a sympathetic and dignified manner.

Summary of responsibilities and personal duties

To assist in the end-to-end administration of the council’s cemeteries and crematorium including, but not limited to:
City Cemetery, Falls Road;
Dundonald Cemetery, Upper Newtownards Road;
Roselawn Cemetery, Ballygowan Road, Crossnacreevy;
Crematorium, Roselawn Cemetery; and
Cemeteries/Crematorium Central Office  Cecil Ward Building.
In particular for assisting in the booking, recording and processing of statutory documentation for burials and cremations; includes key-holding duties at site offices.

To respond to enquiries and complaints from the public and representatives from the bereavement industry, providing front line customer support as appropriate, in a tactful and sensitive manner.
To assist the public in the selection and identification of graves, by delivering accurate and relevant information.
To deal with funeral directors in relation to all aspects of cemetery administration and funeral arrangements for burial and cremation.
To direct funeral corteges and visitors to graves and other facilities on site as required.
To accept payments for bereavement services including burials and memorialisation.
To ensure accurate and up-to-date information is maintained in relation to specifications for foundations.
To liaise with the Cemeteries Central Office and monumental sculptors regarding the enforcement of procedural and policy requirements relating to the checking of headstones and surrounds.
To maintain site maps to assist in the identification of graves for interment in conjunction with cemeteries operations staff.
To assist in the administration of other cemetery sites as required, including assisting the public in the identification of graves.
To keep all records at each cemetery as appropriate and prepare funeral cards for the use of the applicable Cemetery Manager.
To use and maintain computer based record systems and manual records as required.
To assist in providing information and advice to the public regarding memorialisation options at the cemeteries and crematorium.
To undertake general administration duties such as word processing and reports.
To liaise with cemetery site staff as required.
To assist the Bereavement Administration Manager and Senior Cemeteries Administrator by providing on-the-job training and mentoring as required.
To assist with promotional and educational practices as required, including the provision of applicable historial information.
To participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management policies and procedures, as appropriate, including, absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedure.
To act in accordance with the council and departmental policies and procedures including customer care, equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding and any pertinent legislation.
To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the council.
To undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required at any location.
This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve.  Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.

Essential criteria

Experience

Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, be able to demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least one years relevant experience of:

working in an environment which deals with bereavement issues including providing advice and support to customers in a sympathetic and sensitive manner;
undertaking administrative and cash handling duties within a business environment; and
using information technology software such as Microsoft Office, or equivalent packages.
Special skills and attributes

Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples, evidence of the following special skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:

Communication and interpersonal skills: the ability to provide information, advice and guidance to the public and other members of staff and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Customer care skills: the ability to demonstrate a sound awareness of customer care procedures and deal with members of the public in a tactful and sensitive manner.

Health and safety awareness: an understanding of basic health and safety responsibilities.

Information technology skills: the ability to use a range of standard office packages and finance packages.

Organisational and work planning skills: the ability to effectively plan and prioritise tasks to achieve team objectives.

Performance management: an understanding of the principles of performance management and the importance of continuous improvement within the workplace.

Team working skills: the ability to work on own initiative and as an effective team member encouraging day-to day working by the team and the joint achievement of goals.

Cash handling skills: good numerical skills with the ability to undertake cash reconciliations and process payments.

Shortlisting criteria

In addition to the above essential experience, Belfast City Council reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms:

in the first instance, can demonstrate on the application form, by providing personal and specific examples, at least two years relevant experience in each of the above-noted areas (a)  (c); and
in the second instance, have five GCSEs (grades A-C) including English, or equivalent qualifications, or have passed the Skill Check computer based assessment.
If applicable, for posts within Belfast City Council, existing council employees who have passed the SkillCheck computer-based assessment test for Business Support Clerk, Clerical Officer and, or WPO/Clerk recruitment campaigns and have been appointed as Business Support Clerks will be deemed to have the equivalent of five GCSEs (grades A-C) including English.

For further information contact Jessica or Debbie on [phone removed]

BSNI are an acting recruitment agency.