About Us

We create extraordinary experiences, we create memories, we take care of our shared heritage. This means careers where we have to innovate and always push for better, and where your perspective is always valued. This is a world where we bring together our love for the natural environment and our care for one another to make a real difference. This is a world where you'll discover something new, every day.  Working in our Operations team, you'll be helping with the maintenance and presentation of one of our unique open spaces in Melbourne's South East. This means a permanent role, with opportunities to grow and learn. At the same time, you'll discover family friendly hours, great employee benefits and a safe working environment.

The opportunity

The General Hand supports the overall presentation, maintenance and burial operations across SMCT sites. Working across both gravedigging and horticultural functions, this hands-on role ensures that the grounds are well-maintained, graves are prepared and services run smoothly. It combines physical outdoor work, teamwork and respectful service to families and funeral directors.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate equipment including Utes, Excavators, Trucks, Tractors, Buggies, Scissor Lifts, Bobcats, Front end Loader, Backhoe, manual and mechanical tools.
• Assist with grave digging, excavation, and preparation for burial services
• Mark, measure and identify grave locations accurately
• Operate machinery and perform manual digging or lifting as required
• Set up and pack down graves for services and assist with exhumations
• Maintain lawns, gardens and memorial areas through mowing, pruning and planting
• Apply herbicides or insecticides as part of seasonal maintenance programs
• Safely complete JSAs/risk assessments and adhere to all WHS procedures
• Provide professional and respectful assistance to funeral directors and families

About You

You are a reliable, safety-conscious individual who takes pride in maintaining high standards of presentation and service. You’re comfortable with outdoor manual work, show initiative when working independently and collaborate well within a team. Your strong communication skills and commitment to safety and respect align with SMCT’s values.

You will bring

• Experience or capability in grounds maintenance, horticulture or manual labour
• Understanding and adherence to workplace health and safety practices
• Strong time management, reliability and attention to detail
• Ability to work both autonomously and within a team environment
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with a customer-focused approach
• Manual driver’s licence (essential)
• Physical fitness and ability to perform heavy lifting and manual handling
• MR truck licence or machinery operation tickets (desirable)

What's on offer?
You can expect a career beyond your expectations, with personal and professional rewards. Plus, we offer a range of great benefits.

• 16 RDO's per year
• Employee Health, Wellbeing and Assistance Programs
• Uniform and PPE provided
• Free, onsite Physio
• Plant and equipment training upon completion of a 6-month probationary period - this may include Excavators, Trucks, Tractors, Buggies, Scissor Lifts, Bobcats, Front end Loader, Backhoe, manual and mechanical tools.

Don’t meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply – your unique strengths might be just what we need.

We care for our colleagues and the community we serve. To protect one another it is a requirement that all successful candidates complete background checks.

If you have any access requirements which restrict you from fully participating in our recruitment process, please contact recruitment@smct.org.au so that we can discuss necessary adjustments.

We're reviewing applications as they come in and may remove this ad early once the position is filled, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For more information on Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, please visit our website: www.smct.org.au.

SMCT is an equal opportunity employer and a Diversity Council Australia Member.