Director of Cemetery Operations

Description

POSITION: Director of Cemetery Operations

FLSA: Exempt

SECRETARIAT: Office of the Chancellor

JOB TYPE: Part-time (20 hours)

INTRODUCTION:

The Bishop of Manchester is the visible principle and foundation of unity in the particular diocese entrusted to him. In a unique and visible way, he makes Christ’s mission present and enduring as Shepherd of the Christian Community. In order to fulfill his mission, the Bishop employs suitable, chosen collaborators (clerics, religious, or lay people). He shares with them the apostolic mission and entrusts various responsibilities to them.

Each position employed in the Diocesan Administration Building helps to extend the ministry of the Bishop in particular ways as outlined in the position description. All employees of the diocesan administration assist the Bishop of Manchester in serving the parishes, schools and institutions of the Catholic Church in New Hampshire. 

This is a full-time, ministry position accountable to the Bishop of Manchester and supervised by the Director of Cemetery Operations.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is designed to actively work with and provide support to the Catholic cemeteries within the Diocese of Manchester to improve operational efficiencies, to build financial stability, to ensure compliance with all legal/policy/rule matters, assist with the preparation and burial of the Church’s beloved dead, and maintain the sacredness and Catholic identify of Catholic cemeteries. In addition, the Director of Cemetery Operations will provide oversight and direct the Assistant Director of Cemetery Operations, administrative support, and the staff at St. Andre Bessette Parish in Laconia pertaining to the Diocesan St. Joseph Columbarium and Chapel. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead Catholic cemeteries in maintaining their sacredness and Catholic identity while promoting and educating on the importance of the Catholic Funeral Rite and Catholic cemeteries, as well as conduct periodic presentations on these topics.
• Provide oversite through periodic cemetery visits and conduct ongoing training of cemetery staff in all areas of cemetery operations. 
• Working with the staff at St. Andre Besette Parish, manage the operations of the Diocesan St. Joseph Columbarium and Chapel in Laconia New Hampshire as well as the Cathedral (Bishops’) Cemetery in Manchester.
• Assist with cemetery file management (record retention policies/processes) including the development of a standardized, web browser-based, hosted cemetery record keeping and mapping software system.
• Assist with capital projects and real estate issues including: cemetery mapping/expansion, development (i.e. cremation gardens, columbarium etc.), approving contracts, assisting with capital project approvals that exceed $25,000, resolving property/land disputes, managing tree and liability issues, insurance matters, and selling properties. 
• Develop, standardize, and implement the best practice procedures across all cemeteries.
• Implement the Catholic Cemetery Advisory Committee governance including running meetings, assisting committees, and implementing ideas where feasible. 
• Assist Assistant Director of Cemetery Operations with support of cemetery operations for all Diocesan parish Catholic cemeteries.
• Oversee Assistant Director of Cemetery Operations activities including but not limited to: 
• Maintaining compliance with applicable state and federal laws, with Diocesan policies, with Canon laws, and working to ensure compliance with Church teachings pertaining to Catholic cemeteries.
• Updating, creating, and implementing the Diocesan Cemetery Rules and Regulations, standardized forms, and local cemetery supplemental rules. 
• Ensuring Assistant Director of Cemetery Operations completes the annual promotional plan for the system of cemeteries and supports local promotional efforts.
• Providing support with cemetery finances including the completion of all required financial statements (annual budget reports and end of year) and managing restricted funds.
• Annually prepare the Cemetery Office Budget and attend all Department Head Meetings in the Chancellor’s Office.
• Other duties as directed by the supervisor.

ENVIRONMENT:

• General office – clean, well lit, environmentally comfortable.
• Various buildings and cemeteries within the Diocese both inside and outside as needed.
• Lifting and carrying objects up to ten pounds is occasionally required. 
• Walking in cemeteries and on uneven surfaces is required. 
• Reaching at or above shoulder le