View Vacancy - Mail Room Operative (BFPO), Washington D.C.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington DC has an exciting opportunity for a committed individual to join the BFPO team as a Mail Room Operative. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally. 

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate. The British Forces Post Office provides customer support to the wider British Defence Staff based at the British Embassy, Washington DC and US sites across North America, providing mail services between the US and the UK and wider US networks. The Mail Room Operative works as part of a team of 3 within the mail room at British Embassy, in a BFPO team of 8 personnel.

The ideal candidate will be a team player, clear/effective communicator, strong attention to detail, with the ability to shift focus with making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, managing a Quality Service, and Delivering at Pace.


Roles and responsibilities:

The Mail Room Operative provides the following service:

  • Dispatch, receipt, sorting of unclassified BFPO mail.
  • Preparation, payment, submission of mail for transit through US domestic carriers.
  • Maintenance of appropriate security measures for storage of all mail types.
  • Upkeep and maintenance of all mail records including BFPO, US carriers, British Consulates and FCDO.
  • Liaise with FCDO London regarding transport of Diplomatic Unescorted Bags between US & UK.
  • Provide advice and assistance to customers as appropriate.
  • Ensure Health & Safety procedures are adhered to and practised.
  • Provide support to BFPO Courier Service as required

Resources managed:

Staff once trained will use and manage advanced Mailing systems.


Essential on arrival:

  • Strong team player who can work flexibly based on the changing needs of the team and business.
  • Strong IT skills and the ability to evaluate data, particularly Outlook and Excel.
  • Clear and confident communicator, with the ability to work with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
  • Strong organisational skills, and the ability to multitask.
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Valid US driving license and ability to take up local travel as needed to collect mail etc.
  • Language: fluent in English. 

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

Desirable:

  • Experience of working with/for HMG.
  • Previous experience working with mail/mail systems. 
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
15 January 2023
S3
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
USD $ 17.40
6 February 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working patterns:

  • Monday - Friday 0700 - 1500hrs

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.