Senior Body Collection Operative

The Berkshire Coroner's Service investigates sudden, violent and unnatural deaths across Berkshire. Hosted by Reading Borough Council, the body removal team is a service within the wider coroners’ team. Based at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium in hours and at 19 Bennet Road/home out of hours, the team will be responsible for undertaking the collection, care, removal and transport of deceased patients following a community death. The service operates 24/7, 365 days per year.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

 

About the role:

As a Senior Body Collection Operative, you will be responsible for leading the team of Body Collection Operatives and for ensuring exceptional standards in maintaining the dignity and safe care of the deceased.

 

Main duties include:

- Ensuring adequate staffing on a rota to cover 24-hour, 365 day a year period

- Provide professional advice, support and training to colleagues in sometimes challenging situations.

- Maintain supplies, equipment and vehicles

- Liaising and working in partnership with stakeholders of the service to ensure systems and processes are followed

 

About you:

The successful applicant will have significant experience of carrying out coronial removal work, or the transportation of the deceased for an organisation or funeral director. They will also have experience of leading and supervising a team as well as experience of commercial driving.

 

The ability to deal with the bereaved in a sensitive and tactful manner is essential as well as having the emotional resilience to cope with distressing and unpleasant scenes and situations. The successful applicants will also have the ability to carry out the physical aspect of the role, such as heavy lifting, pushing and pulling.

 

These posts will be based in Reading, however you may be required to travel to various locations within Berkshire.  Flexibility over working hours and willingness to provide backfill in a rota which operates 24/7, 365 days per year is required. An enhanced DBS check will be required as part of the onboarding process.

 

You will be part of a team that relies on everyone to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you will also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place to live and work.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

 

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

 

What we offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

 

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

 

For more information on this position please contact Rhiannon Charnock – Principal Coroners Officer - rhiannon.charnock@reading.gov.uk  

Closing Date: Wednesday 14^th May 2025

Interview Date:  To be confirmed

                                   

Please note that these dates are indicative at this stage and may be subject to change

 

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.