Job description for Postal and Mail Operative
Join us at the British Forces Postal Office (BFPO) and take the first step towards a rewarding career. The BFPO provides postal and courier services to the UK armed forces and is a renowned brand across Defence. You will be based in the Defence Mail Centre in Andover where we will provide all the training required to develop your capability and gain the experience necessary to excel and progress in your role.
As a Postal and Mail Operative, you will assist with the secure, safe, and timely handling of armed forces’ mail. This includes ensuring the accurate receipt, sorting, and dispatching of all types of mail in a secure, logical, and methodical manner. Your daily tasks will involve both physical and desk-based work, such as data inputting, sorting, and processing mail, and loading vehicles for dispatch and may involve extended periods of standing.
This position is 100% site-based with typical working hours of Monday to Friday 07:30 – 15:30.
What you’ll be doing
1. Maintaining procedures in accordance with mail handling standards and processes set by BFPO and Royal Mail Group
2. Maintaining workplace safety standards, responsible for your own safety and the safety of your colleagues
3. Using a combination of bespoke IT, handheld, and manual systems, creating, and maintaining mail dispatch schedules following correct consignment and regulatory processes
4. Acting as the driver completing timely delivery of mail in accordance with instructions and security regulations
5. Ensuring accurate and secure redirection, location, trace, and personal verification of mail using both computer and local systems
6. Using manual handling equipment, with the ability to lift mail items up to 11kg unaided, 30kg assisted, and working collaboratively with others to move heavier items
7. Always adhering to all BFPO security procedures, you will follow personal security arrangements, complete annual security training and you will be required to carry appropriate issued ID whilst at work
8. Some Autonomous working and decision making
9. Taking reasonable care to ensure the health and safety of others who may be impacted by your actions or omissions at work, while adhering to best practices and complying with relevant legislation concerning environmental protection and energy conservation
Person specification
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
10. Working knowledge of IT Systems and Microsoft Office applications with experience of data entry and processing
11. Holder of a Full UK Manual Driving licence, Cat B with a maximum of 6 penalty points
12. Recent evidence of working in a physically demanding role
13. Ability to work under pressure, at pace and to tight schedules
14. Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team
15. Experience of a strong customer focus, and stakeholder engagement
In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:
16. Core Behaviour 1: Delivering at pace – CSBC1
17. Core Behaviour 2: Working together – CSBC1
18. Technical Competence 1: Customer Service – Awareness
19. Technical Competence 2: Making evidence-based decisions – Awareness
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £24,600, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,126 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
20. 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
21. Flexible and hybrid working options
22. Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
23. Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
24. Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
25. Support for progression
26. Huge range of discounts
27. Volunteering days
28. Enhanced parental leave schemes
Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences, and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.
Further Information
29. Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
30. Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
31. Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
32. Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission
Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here.
Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.
Selection process details
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:
33. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
34. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
35. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.
Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:
36. 1st: Core Behaviour 1
37. 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
38. 3rd: Technical Competencies
39. 4th: CV Review
In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission
Ready to join us as a Postal and Mail Operative? Apply now!