BDSUS Accommodation Support Team Desk Officer

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD)

Hybrid

USD 70,000 - 95,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave

Competitive insurance options

Top-tier 401(k) programme

World-class learning and development

Job summary

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Washington D.C. is offering an exciting opportunity to join the British Defence Staff United States (BDSUS) Accommodation Support Team as an Accommodation Support Team Desk Officer, supporting housing needs for the MOD footprint.

You will work within the United States Support Group (USSG) at the Embassy, delivering accommodation services, including guiding staff with self-sourcing permanent accommodation, managing furniture deliveries and moving

Qualifications

Experience in customer service and fast-paced environments.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Willing to work in the US and obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

Liaising with and supporting the accommodation needs of the posted footprint (c.60%).
Support with MOD-leased properties in the local DC, MD, VA (DMV) area and self-sourced properties across the wider footprint, including policy advice and lease approvals.
Act as the initial customer contact point for accommodation and furniture linked enquiries ensuring the timely resolution of requests.
Allocate furniture to customers within the specified locations, ensuring timely delivery upon arrival and successful pick-up upon departure of personnel.
Conduct March-Ins and March-Outs with local DC, MD, VA (DMV) area-based personnel, supporting with resolution of any landlord disputes, and managing the process for the return of security deposits.
Place purchase orders with vendors, monitor status, requisition, and receive goods and services accurately and efficiently in specified accounting systems.
Liaise with the Embassy Finance Team to arrange timely payments of any accommodation-related expenses.
Collaborate with other BDSUS support services to ensure a cohesive customer output.
Maintain up-to-date records on financial systems and ensure data accuracy and compliance with MOD policies.
Assist with the upkeep and management of all records and management information.
Support with any other roles necessary within the Accommodation Team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Customer service

Driving licence

MS Office

Seasonal work readiness

Positive attitude

Legal right to work in US

Job description

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington D.C. is offering an exciting opportunity to join the British Defence Staff United States (BDSUS) Accommodation Support Team as an Accommodation Support Team Desk Officer. In this role, you will contribute to strengthening UK-US collaboration by supporting and assisting with the housing needs of the MOD footprint.

You will work within the United States Support Group (USSG) at the Embassy, which provides a range of support services including Human Resource Administration, Welfare, Medical, Education and Accommodation services to over 900 posted British Defence Staff and their families across 30 U.S states.

In this position, you will be part of a team delivering accommodation services, including guiding posted staff with self-sourcing permanent accommodation, managing furniture deliveries, and supporting with moving logistics during their posting. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who has a real passion for service delivery and attention to detail.

Applicants should have customer service experience, be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and possess strong communication and problem-solving skills. They should demonstrate innovation in their approach, think creatively, and work effectively as part of a collaborative team. A positive attitude and a strong work ethic are paramount.

Whilst experience in the housing sector, residential or commercial, would be advantageous, it is not essential; applications from candidates with transferrable skills are welcomed.

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package-

generous leave
competitive insurance options
a top-tier 401(k) programme
access to world-class learning and development resources

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow, and with line manager approval.

Roles and responsibilities

Liaising with and supporting the accommodation needs of the posted footprint (c.60%):

Support the delivery of all UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) accommodation services for personnel posted across the United States.
Support with MOD-leased properties in the local DC, MD, VA (DMV) area and self-sourced properties across the wider footprint, including policy advice and lease approvals.
Act as the initial customer contact point for accommodation and furniture linked enquiries ensuring the timely resolution of requests.
Allocate furniture to customers within the specified locations, ensuring timely delivery upon arrival and successful pick-up upon departure of personnel.
Conduct March-Ins and March-Outs with local DC, MD, VA (DMV) area-based personnel, supporting with resolution of any landlord disputes, and managing the process for the return of security deposits.

Working with stakeholders (c.15%):

Place purchase orders with vendors, monitor status, requisition, and receive goods and services accurately and efficiently in specified accounting systems.

Collaborating with internal teams (c.15%):

Liaise with the Embassy Finance Team to arrange timely payments of any accommodation-related expenses.
Collaborate with other BDSUS support services to ensure a cohesive customer output.

Training, organisation and other business needs (~10%):

Maintain up-to-date records on financial systems and ensure data accuracy and compliance with MOD policies.
Assist with the upkeep and management of all records and management information.
Support with any other roles necessary within the Accommodation Team.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to be professional, confident, courteous, and deal with a wide range of colleagues.
Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multi-task and strong problem-solving skills.
Excellent customer service skills, with proven ability to take responsibility.
Current valid driving licence and confident driver.
Confident/Intermediate computer skills (such as MS Office).
Must be able to work in the high season (April – August), with leave approved by the line manager, in consideration of the wider team/need.
A positive attitude and strong work ethic.
Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Whilst experience in the housing sector would be advantageous, it is not essential; applications from candidates with broader experience are welcomed.
Experience working for HMG or another large governmental organisation/public sector.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

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. Please note this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

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.

Learning and Development

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.).

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.