City of Tampa

This is highly responsible work involving the management and maintenance of cemetery grounds and operations.  Bargaining unit position.

An employee in this class performs highly responsible administrative work of considerable difficulty in coordinating all activities and overseeing employees engaged in the maintenance and upkeep of municipal grounds and buildings of five city cemeteries. Under direction, the employee performs duties requiring considerable initiative and independent judgement when consulting with families and making burial arrangements, coordinating burials with other funeral service providers, monitoring and reporting collection of revenues, preparing reports, and administering contracts. Employee must possess strong oral and written communication skills as well as excellent customer service and interpersonal skills. Extensive public contact is required and employee must display compassion, empathy and Sensitivity when dealing with  customers.  Employee must be detail oriented with strong organizational skills to keep accurate records of all cemetery records and transactions. Work is reviewed through conferences, observations, reports submitted, and results achieved.

Ensures that all cemetery operations and policies coincide with the City of Tampa Cemeteries Ordinance; clearly communicates to the family the policies and fees of the cemetery services.  Coordinates interments with funeral directors and funeral homes; responsible for marking grave locations for monument companies, funeral homes and visitors; receives burial transit permits, and cremation certificates; verifies information for genealogy research database; forwards interment related information to Vital Statistics via City Clerk; accurately prepares and records all deeds, ownership cards, burial notices and burial cards; accurately maintains plat maps of all city cemeteries.

Responsible for collecting fees mandated by city ordinance for cemetery spaces, interments, and other related cemetery sales and services transactions.

Prepares monthly report of burials and monies collected; monitors security logs and prepares all invoices for payment.

Inspects cemeteries prior to, during, and upon completion of events to ensure cemetery is clean, user requirements are met, and to prevent vandalism and other damage to cemetery; reviews daily inspection reports and coordinates maintenance and/or repairs i.e. water leaks, fallen trees, exposed or damaged graves, etc; prepares bid specifications for cemetery related contracts and attends any bid meetings related to cemetery as required. 

Responds to citizen complaints and inquiries, and initiates corrective action as needed; communicates with citizens,  City staff, requestors of information and customers; analyzes problems, and plans and develops alternatives and solutions; when dealing with bereaved families, ensures interactions are tactful, compassionate, and diplomatic; responds to City of Tampa Customer Service Center inquiries.

Performs related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of: operations, services and activities of a cemetery program; current laws and regulations and City policy pertaining to records and cemetery management; basic mathematics; supervisory methods and practices.

Working knowledge of: occupational hazards and safety practices related to the area of cemetery operations; computer operation.

Ability to: read and interpret plat maps; plan, assign, direct, oversee, and review the work of contract employees; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and city personnel; prepare clear and concise written reports and correspondence; accurately maintain cemetery records; communicate effectively orally and written.

High school and five (5) years of customer service experience preferably with some experience in cemetery operations; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.  Strong organizational  skills and proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Access software are required.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.