Cemetery Lead Hand

Classification: Class 1, Bargaining Unit Position

 

Position	Lead Hand
Department	Cemetery
Classification	Class 1 Bargaining Unit Position
Status	Full Time, Permanent
Location	5822 Bathurst Street, North York, ON
Wage Rate	$24.25/hour in accordance with the Class 1 rate established under the Collective Agreement, plus a position-specific Lead Hand premium up to $10/hour.

Beth Tzedec Memorial Park is a sacred place of remembrance, dignity and continuity. The care of its grounds is more than landscape maintenance. It is an important responsibility to families, visitors and the Beth Tzedec community.

 

Reporting directly to the General Manager, who retains full responsibility and accountability for the management and operation of Beth Tzedec Memorial Park, the Cemetery Lead Hand is a hands-on Class 1 bargaining-unit employee who works alongside the grounds crew. Under the General Manager's direction, the Lead Hand maintains the cemetery grounds, supports and executes interment work, coordinates and assigns approved work activities, provides instruction and on-the-job training, and communicates operational issues and site conditions to the General Manager.

 

The Lead Hand does not hire, discipline, lead employee evaluations, approve time off, authorize overtime, alter staffing levels, or exercise independent managerial authority. These responsibilities remain with the General Manager or the Employer.

 

The Lead Hand actively performs the work of the position while helping ensure that the cemetery is maintained to a consistently high standard and that funeral and interment activities are carried out safely, respectfully and with dignity. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Crew Coordination and Work Assignment

• Under the direction of the General Manager, communicate daily priorities and assign approved work activities to grounds staff.
• Provide instruction, practical guidance, orientation and on-the-job training to employees.
• Work alongside crew members and set a positive example through professionalism, safety and quality workmanship.
• Observe the progress and quality of work and report deficiencies or incomplete work to the General Manager.
• Promote teamwork, safe work practices, accountability and a positive workplace culture.
• Recommend adjustments to daily work assignments when weather, funerals or operational conditions require a change.
• Promptly bring staffing, safety, equipment and operational concerns to the General Manager.
• Refer performance, attendance, conduct and disciplinary matters to the General Manager.

 

B. Funeral and Interment Operations

• Coordinate field resources and assign approved work activities related to interments and funerals based on operational requirements.
• Prepare gravesites accurately and safely.
• Operate excavation equipment required for interments.
• Set up graves for services, including lowering devices, boards and related equipment.
• Ensure grave closing and site restoration following interments is up to standard.
• Install foundations, markers and monuments according to specifications.
• Verify cemetery locations using maps and records.
• Ensure all interments are completed safely, respectfully and in accordance with cemetery standards.
• Work cooperatively with funeral directors, monument companies and contractors.

 

C. Grounds, Turf and Landscaping Maintenance

• Perform and coordinate the daily maintenance of lawns, gardens, flower beds, shrubs, trees and related landscape features to ensure the cemetery is maintained at a high standard reflecting its dignity and purpose.
• Assist the General Manager in developing weekly and seasonal maintenance plans and carry out the approved schedules.
• Perform mowing, trimming, edging, fertilizing, aerating, weeding, watering, overseeding and top dressing.
• Plant and maintain annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees.
• Monitor irrigation, drainage and overall landscape conditions.
• Maintain roads, pathways and common areas.
• Assist with winter maintenance and seasonal cleanup activities.

 

D. Equipment and Property Maintenance

• Operate and maintain all cemetery equipment safely.
• Ensure roads, stairs, walkways are free and clear from snow and ice and conditions are safe when the cemetery is open
• Complete daily equipment inspections and promptly report equipment defects, safety concerns and repair requirements.
• Coordinate routine maintenance and repairs of vehicles, tractors, mowers, excavators and utility equipment.
• Assist with maintenance of buildings, storage areas and cemetery infrastructure.
• Maintain inventory of tools and equipment and ensure they are in safe working order.
   

E. Health, Safety and Security

• Follow and reinforce established safe work practices, provide instruction where required, proactively identify and address potential safety concerns, and promptly report deficiencies, hazards or non-compliance issues to the General Manager.
• Ensure staff use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Conduct routine safety inspections of work areas.
• Report accidents, incidents and hazards promptly.
• Help ensure safe operating conditions for equipment, work sites, visitors and cemetery staff.
• Monitor the security and integrity of cemetery property.  
• Reinforce established cemetery rules and procedures and report concerns to the General Manager.

 

F. Customer Service and Community Relations

• Represent Beth Tzedec Memorial Park professionally and respectfully in interactions with families, visitors, the GM and cemetery staff, contractors and service providers.
• Provide assistance as requested by the GM to lot holders and cemetery visitors.
• Maintain a respectful and compassionate approach during funeral services and family interactions.
   

G. Reporting, Tracking and Operational Planning

Working under the direction of the General Manager, the Lead Hand is responsible for providing timely, accurate and practical field information to support the General Manager’s planning and management of cemetery operations. Reporting is an essential responsibility of this position.

 

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain accurate daily records of grounds maintenance, interments, equipment inspections, repairs, incidents and work completed.
• Provide regular status updates to the General Manager, including completed work, outstanding items, delays and next steps.
• Promptly report safety hazards, serious occurrences, property damage, equipment defects, service concerns and other matters requiring management attention.
• Report work-quality concerns, staffing issues and recurring operational problems to the General Manager.
• Proactively identify and communicate emerging site conditions rather than waiting to be asked.
• Assist the General Manager in developing daily, weekly and seasonal work plans.
• Based on priorities established by the General Manager, help organize the labour, equipment, materials and contractor access required to carry out the work.
• Recommend operational improvements, equipment needs, maintenance priorities and property improvements to the General Manager.
• Maintain inventory records for tools, equipment, supplies and materials and report replenishment requirements.
• Prepare operational reports, activity summaries and other tracking documentation requested by the General Manager.
• Follow up on outstanding field items and advise the General Manager when work has been completed or when further action is required.

 

Computer and Administrative Skills

• Demonstrated ability to use computers and standard workplace software, including email, word processing, spreadsheets and electronic record-keeping systems, to maintain records, track work and prepare operational reports.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports related to grounds maintenance activities, equipment inspections, interments, inventory and work scheduling.
• Ability to communicate effectively through written and electronic formats.

 

Qualifications: Required

• Grade 12 diploma or equivalent.
• Landscaping, cemetery operations, golf-course maintenance or comparable grounds operations. Five (5) or more years of related experience is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating, training and providing work direction to others in a landscaping, cemetery, golf course, construction or similar outdoor operations environment.
• Strong working knowledge of grounds maintenance practices and equipment.
• Experience operating equipment such as:
  • Backhoe
  • Mini Excavator
  • Zero-turn Mower
  • Utility Vehicles
  • Snow plow and salter
  • Chainsaws and other power equipment
• Valid Ontario Driver's Licence with a satisfactory driving record.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to provide clear work instructions, communicate professionally and compassionately with others, and prepare accurate records, reports, schedules and operational documentation.
• Ability to deal respectfully and compassionately with grieving families.

 

Preferred Assets

The following qualifications would be considered assets. Applicants are not expected to possess all of the qualifications listed below, and equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.

• Previous experience serving in a Lead Hand or a similar crew coordination role.
• Horticulture, landscaping or turf-management education and/or experience.
• Experience maintaining records, preparing reports and using computer-based work tracking systems.
• Knowledge of Jewish burial customs and cemetery practices.
• WHMIS Certification.
• First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Mechanical aptitude and basic repair skills.
• Arborist skills

 

Collective Agreement

Applications will be considered in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Collective Agreement. The successful applicant will remain subject to the terms and conditions of the Collective Agreement.

 

AODA

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us.

 

How To apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a résumé and cover letter to David Shapero, General Manager, Beth Tzedec Memorial Park, at [email protected].

 

Beth Tzedec Memorial Park thanks all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

 

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until October 16, or until the position is filled.