Head Sexton Wanted for Nordstevns Pastorate

Leading groundskeeper sought for Nordstevns Parish

Strøby, Valløby and St. Tårnby Churches

Nordstevns Parish is looking for a committed and responsible leading groundskeeper for our three cemeteries in Strøby, Valløby and St. Tårnby, with start date January 1, 2027.

The position is 37 hours per week.

Do you want to lead our cemeteries?

In Nordstevns Parish you will be part of a work community characterized by commitment, presence and good humor. We are proud of our strong collegial fellowship, where we help each other, work as a team and value both professionalism and diversity. There is room for new ideas, creativity and the opportunity to shape your own mark on the working life.

As leading groundskeeper you will be responsible for the daily operations and management of the staff in the green area. You will have a central role in ensuring that our three cemeteries appear well-kept, harmonious and inviting, and that they continue to be dignified and welcoming places for visitors and relatives.

You will also work closely with the parish’s pastors, church wardens, organists, church singers, church culture staff, the registrar, theAdministrative Chief and the parish council. We work across professional groups and experience that the collaboration between pastors, staff and the parish council is one of our greatest strengths.

We want to be a workplace where you look forward to coming in, feel valued and have opportunities for both professional and personal development.

Our three historic churches are natural meeting points in the local community. They exude history and tradition, but are at the same time living houses where music, fellowship and the churches’ many activities unfold year round.

Your primary tasks

As leading groundskeeper you will have a versatile job with both managerial, administrative and practical tasks. Your primary tasks will be to:

• Have overall responsibility for the daily operations and management of the cemeteries and cemetery office, including planning and coordinating the staff’s tasks.
• Ensure that the cemeteries are operated in accordance with applicable law, the cemeteries’ statutes and the provisions set by the parish council.
• Be responsible for the cemeteries’ finances and budget within the framework set by the parish council.
• Plan and supervise the maintenance of the cemeteries, the churches’ other green areas and the buildings that fall under your responsibility.
• Plan and coordinate construction work, including any expansions and adjustments to the cemeteries, and explore opportunities for developing the green areas.
• Manage the administration of gravesites, including allocation of gravesites, preparation of grave lease letters, renewals and entering into GIAS and maintenance agreements.
• Ensure correct recording and updating of cemetery protocols, cemetery maps and information about grave owners and agreements.
• Supervise the maintenance of the grave sites and follow up on the grave owners’ obligations.
• In collaboration with the Administrative Chief: hire, introduce and lead staff at the cemeteries within the financial framework set by the parish council.
• Undertake church service duty during services.
• Participate in relevant meetings.

We imagine that you

• Would preferably be a trained gardener and have experience in a role as groundskeeper or in another relevant position within the green sector.
• Have solid professional experience and a sense for planning, daily operations and development of green areas.
• Have good leadership qualities and can motivate, coordinate and create direction for the staff in a busy everyday life.
• Work in a structured and independent way and have an eye for both quality, economy and practical solutions.
• Have basic IT skills and preferably experience with EG Brandsoft Kirkeportalen or similar administrative systems.
• Have a standard driving license (category B). We expect you to use your own car when needed for work.
• Thrive in meeting people in both sorrow and joy and meet visitors and relatives with respect, empathy and openness.
• Want to contribute to the good community among staff and in the congregation with humor, warmth and the ability to create joy and solidarity.
• Be flexible, approachable and engaged and take responsibility for ensuring tasks are completed.

We offer

• An versatile position with responsibility, influence and the opportunity to shape the development of our three cemeteries and other green areas.
• An workplace with dedicated colleagues and a strong cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• A daily life where professionalism, integrity and genuine human presence are highly valued.
• The possibility for professional development and to bring your experiences and ideas into play.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment is covered by the Collective Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Public Employees (OAO-S) as well as the Organisation Agreement for church functionaries with core tasks such as church custodian, groundskeeper or cemetery manager, entered into between the Ministry of Finance and the Association of church and cemetery employees with an accompanying protocol for groundskeepers. The agreements can be viewed on the Church of Denmark Intranet

Current civil service groundskeepers have the right to retain their civil service status on appointment with direct transfer. In that case, a job classification must be made.

It is a condition that the mandatory 5-week education for groundskeepers is completed within 2 years after the start of employment, if you do not already have it.

For applicants without gardening education

Placement occurs in salary grade 1.

Annual salary is agreed within the range DKK 342,524 – DKK 421,573 (current kroner as of 1/8 2026).

For applicants with gardening education

Placement occurs in salary grade 2.

Annual salary is agreed within the range DKK 350,435 – DKK 438,260 (current kroner as of 1/8 2026).

There is a duty to be available for the position. The availability allowance amounts to DKK 27,247 annually (current kroner).

Salary and availability allowance are quantified in accordance with the job’s appointment fraction. An agreement on placement within the salary range is made between the parish council and FAKK.

Further information

For further information about the position you are welcome to contact: Administrative Chief Piet Bertelsen on telephone 23 23 43 67 or email: [email protected]

The appointment is made by Nordstevns Parish Council, Præstegården 1, 4671 Strøby as the authority and with Strøby, Valløby and St. Tårnby Churches and cemeteries as workplaces.

The parish council can inform you that references will be sought in connection with the appointment. There is a three-month trial period.

You can read more about Nordstevns Parish at www.nordstevns.dk

Application deadline is Monday, November 9 at 12:00

Application with relevant attachments should be sent to Nordstevns Parish by email: [email protected] .

We expect interviews to be held on Friday, November 20.