Description Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support - British Forces Post Office (BFPO) Salary: £24,600 - £26,600 per annum (plus an annual London allowance of £3,300 and generous benefits) Grade: Technical Specialist I (TSI) Working Pattern: Full time Contract Type: Fixed term Appointment (FTA) – 23 Months At Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), we supply and maintain vital equipment and services for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Together, we deliver a vast range of essential defence programmes, and strive for what's next. Because it helps keep our military at the top of their game and our nation safe – for today, and tomorrow. We offer 25 days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you. This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months. Job description 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 our purpose-built headquarters at RAF Northolt, where we will provide all the training required to develop your skill set and gain the experience necessary to excel 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. This role will enhance your experience with cargo X-ray machines and provide opportunities to acquire skills and qualifications, including Civil Aviation Authority Air Cargo Security training. You will be part of a large, dedicated team with many opportunities for progression and development within the team and the wider organisation. You will also perform Mail Guard Duties, which include travelling to our site at RAF Brize Norton and other locations. These duties are physically demanding and involve loading and unloading, manual handling, and standing for extended periods at both ends. When not travelling This position is 100% site-based in the Defence Postal Services (DPS) at RAF Northolt, with working hours of Monday to Friday, 07:00 – 15:00. Due to the location, this role also offers a London allowance of £3,300 per annum. This is a fixed-term role with the potential to become permanent at the end of the 23-month contract. In addition to gaining Security Clearance, your continued employment will be subject to obtaining a Criminal Record Certificate (CRC) or Overseas Criminal Record Certificate on a tri-annual basis. What you’ll be doing Maintaining procedures in accordance with mail handling standards and processes set by BFPO and Royal Mail. Maintaining workplace safety standards, responsible for your own safety and the safety of your colleagues. Undertaking mail security screening procedures and once trained become an X-Ray machine operator, this will require successful completion and retention of the Digital National X-Ray Competency Test (DNXCT). Routinely conduct basic operating procedures on an automated mail sorting machine including basic daily maintenance and cleaning of the equipment. Using a combination of bespoke IT, handheld, and manual systems, creating and maintaining mail dispatch schedules following correct consignment and regulatory processes. Acting as the Mail Guard completing timely delivery of mail in accordance with instructions and security regulations. Ensuring accurate and secure redirection, location, trace, and personal verification of mail using both computer and local systems. 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. Always adhering to all BFPO and Civil Aviation Authority Security requirements and maintain the security of BFPO mail. You will be required to adhere to personal security arrangements, complete annual security training and will be required to carry appropriate issued ID whilst at work. You will be expected to: take reasonable care for the health and safety of others that may be affected by their acts or omissions at work, and to observe best practice and compliance with legislation in the protection of the environment and the conservation of energy. Person specification To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria : General knowledge of IT Systems and Microsoft Office applications with experience of data entry and processing. Recent evidence of working in a physically demanding role. Ability to work under pressure, at pace and to tight schedules. Evidence of working independently and as part of a team. 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: Customer Service - Awareness Making evidence-based decisions - Awareness Delivering at pace – CSBC1 Working together – CSBC1 Benefits 25 days’ annual leave 1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97% Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards Access to specialist training and funded qualifications Support for progression Huge range of discounts Volunteering days 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. LI-Onsite Further Information Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions 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: 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. 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. Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. 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 Reserve Lists Where a competition identifies more appointable candidates than there are available vacancies, a Reserve List may be created for other similar roles in the Civil Service. This may be used for up to 12 months to fill the same role or other similar roles with closely matching essential criteria without further testing of merit.