Body Collection Operative
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 28 Ionawr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £30,195 i £31,096 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 04 Chwefror 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Berkshire, South East England |
| Gweithio o bell: | Ar y safle yn unig |
| Cwmni: | Reading Borough Council |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: |
Crynodeb
Reading Borough Council hosts the Berkshire Coroners Service on behalf of six unitary authorities. We are now looking for a Body Collection Operative to join our dedicated team, providing a vital, professional and compassionate service on behalf of HM Senior Coroner. This is a unique and meaningful role for someone who is calm under pressure, emotionally resilient and committed to treating the deceased and the bereaved with dignity and respect at all times.
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 Body Collection Operative, you will be responsible for the collection, care, removal and transportation of deceased individuals following community deaths, ensuring their safe and dignified transfer to designated mortuaries across Berkshire and maybe outside of Berkshire.
The body removal team is within the wider coroners’ team. Based at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium in hours and at home for out of hours.
You will also:
Respond to requests from Thames Valley Police, often in challenging or distressing circumstances
Safely drive council vehicles and attend locations within agreed response times
Maintain accurate documentation and full chain of custody
Support coronial operations across multiple mortuary sites
Assist with Public Health Funerals, including property searches, encoffining duties and acting as funeral director where required
Provide a professional, compassionate presence for bereaved families and members of the public
Support the operation of a new body storage facility due to go live in 2027
This role operates on a 24/7 rota, with on-call duties outside normal working hours. You must be able to reach any location within Berkshire within one hour when on call.
About You:
You are a calm, compassionate and professional individual who understands the importance of dignity, respect and sensitivity when working with the deceased and supporting the bereaved. You are able to communicate clearly and empathetically, often in challenging or emotionally charged situations, while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
You have the emotional resilience to cope with distressing scenes and the practical ability to carry out the physical aspects of the role, including lifting and moving. You are confident driving in a range of conditions and understand the importance of safe working practices, accurate record-keeping and maintaining high standards of care and presentation.
You are a reliable team player with a flexible approach to work, willing to take part in a rota that includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays and on-call duties.
You hold a full UK driving licence, have basic IT skills for completing documentation, and are committed to delivering a high-quality public service that truly makes a difference.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
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.
Our 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 Nate Sheils-Busby, Senior Body Collection Operative on 07856 933 456 or email nate.shiels-busby@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Wednesday 4th February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium
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 Body Collection Operative, you will be responsible for the collection, care, removal and transportation of deceased individuals following community deaths, ensuring their safe and dignified transfer to designated mortuaries across Berkshire and maybe outside of Berkshire.
The body removal team is within the wider coroners’ team. Based at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium in hours and at home for out of hours.
You will also:
Respond to requests from Thames Valley Police, often in challenging or distressing circumstances
Safely drive council vehicles and attend locations within agreed response times
Maintain accurate documentation and full chain of custody
Support coronial operations across multiple mortuary sites
Assist with Public Health Funerals, including property searches, encoffining duties and acting as funeral director where required
Provide a professional, compassionate presence for bereaved families and members of the public
Support the operation of a new body storage facility due to go live in 2027
This role operates on a 24/7 rota, with on-call duties outside normal working hours. You must be able to reach any location within Berkshire within one hour when on call.
About You:
You are a calm, compassionate and professional individual who understands the importance of dignity, respect and sensitivity when working with the deceased and supporting the bereaved. You are able to communicate clearly and empathetically, often in challenging or emotionally charged situations, while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
You have the emotional resilience to cope with distressing scenes and the practical ability to carry out the physical aspects of the role, including lifting and moving. You are confident driving in a range of conditions and understand the importance of safe working practices, accurate record-keeping and maintaining high standards of care and presentation.
You are a reliable team player with a flexible approach to work, willing to take part in a rota that includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays and on-call duties.
You hold a full UK driving licence, have basic IT skills for completing documentation, and are committed to delivering a high-quality public service that truly makes a difference.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
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.
Our 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 Nate Sheils-Busby, Senior Body Collection Operative on 07856 933 456 or email nate.shiels-busby@reading.gov.uk
Closing Date: Wednesday 4th February 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at Reading Cemetery and Crematorium
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