View Vacancy – Mail Room Operative (BFPO 2)
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
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MOD (Ministry of Defence)
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Main purpose of Job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and reliable individual to join the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) as a Mailroom Operative. This important role plays a key part in supporting secure and efficient mail services and reports directly to the Mailroom Supervisor.
The mailroom team provides a comprehensive range of postal services including the collection, sorting and onward forwarding, and distribution of mail items. This role involves significant physical activity, and successful candidates will be required to move and handle up to 300 kg (660lbs) of mail each week and individual parcels of up to 30kg (66lbs) daily. This essential service supports both internal Embassy staff and the wider UK Government and Defence footprint across the United States, ensuring secure and timely handling of mail.
This is a part time position.
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 a high-quality postal service.
The ideal candidate will be a team player and able to work independently, clear/effective communicator, strong attention to detail, with the ability to shift focus with making Effective Decisions, Working Together, managing a Quality Service, and Delivering at Pace.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Drive a Ford Transit van to International Airport Dulles (IAD) twice per week to collect mailbags and boxes.
- Act as a mail guard twice per week, escorting mail to and from IAD to ensure security and compliance.
- Coordinating the dispatch, receipt and sorting of unclassified BFPO mail.
- Managing the preparation, payment and submission of mail for transit via US domestic carriers.
- Ensuring the secure storage of all mail types in accordance with established security protocols.
- Maintaining accurate and up to date mail records, including those related to BFPO, US carriers, British Consulates, and the FCDO.
- Liaising with FCDO London regarding the transport of Diplomatic Unescorted Bags between the US and the UK.
- Providing advice and assistance to customers in a professional and courteous manner.
- Ensuring full compliance with Health and Safety procedures and promoting safe working practices.
- Supporting the Mailroom Supervisor, including providing cover during periods of absence.
- Assisting the BFPO Courier Service as required.
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Essential on arrival:
- A strong team player with the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of the team and wider business.
- Proficient IT skills, with the ability to evaluate and manage data effectively – particularly using Microsoft Outlook and Excel.
- A clear and confident communicator, capable of engaging with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
- Excellent customer service skills, with a professional and approachable manner.
- Must hold a valid US driving license to undertake local driving details twice per week for mail collection and delivery from IAD.
- A proven track record of meeting established goals with accuracy and efficiency.
- Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgement and make decisions independently with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain positive working relationships with supervisors and colleagues.
- 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 Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent
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Desirable Skills / Experience
- Experience driving in the US.
- Previous experience working with mail/mail systems.
- Relevant experience with a postal service, or related field.
- Understanding of Mail carriers products & services.
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Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
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6 April 2026
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S3
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Permanent, Part-Time
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25.5
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Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
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United States
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Washington
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British Embassy
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1
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USD
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$20.74
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hourly
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25 May 2026
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Eligibility
You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.
US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.
You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.
All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
Core Hours/Hybrid Working
While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.
Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.
All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.
Working patterns:
The mail room operates from 0630 to 1500. Monday through Thursday, and from 0600 to 1200 on Fridays. Prior to the mailroom opening to customers at 0730, there is a requirement to carry out accounts related duties, including mail deliveries and collections.
This is a part time position, offering 25.5 hours per week. The successful applicant will be expected to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 0630 to 1500 each day.
Unique Tax Rules
Employees working for a foreign government in the United States are subject to specific tax rules. As a result, the tax treatment of an employee’s compensation will vary depending on their work location and citizenship status—whether they are a U.S. citizen, dual citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a foreign national without a green card.
In alignment with HM Treasury policy, employees of the UK government in the US who are deemed tax-exempt by the IRS (i.e., not liable for U.S. taxes) receive a tax-abated salary, also known as a net salary. For all other employees, the UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. These employees must directly remit taxes on a quarterly and annual basis to the relevant tax authorities.
Additional information will be provided to successful candidates at the offer stage. Please note that the Embassy does not provide tax advice, and all employees are encouraged to consult with qualified tax professionals regarding their individual circumstances prior to accepting a job.
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Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 6 April 2026.
All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.
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.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
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.).
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