Job Details

View Vacancy - General Maintenance Worker Estates

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory

Estates

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government's Embassy in Washington DC is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Corporate Services, Estates team as a General Maintenance Worker. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US - contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and 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.

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.

As a General Maintenance Worker in the Corporate Services Estates Team you will contribute to strengthening UK-US collaboration in the Facilities Management area of work. Positioned within the Corporate Services Team you will work closely with internal stakeholders such all UKB staff and CBS staff on the platform and external partners including local Government and Commercial contractors. This role supports the UK's broader strategic objectives in Facilities Management and offers valuable experience in international engagement and cross-government collaboration.

We're looking for an enthusiastic self-starter and team player who can multi-task, prioritize workload, and be a proactive and detail-oriented person with experience in project delivery. You'll bring strong skills working as part of a fast-paced team and be able to prioritize your workload and a commitment to meeting deadlines and producing high quality customer service work.

Roles and responsibilities:

The main duties and responsibilities of this position are:

• Setting up furniture and fittings for events in the New Exhibition space, Rotunda and other function rooms in the New Chancery, Ambassador's Residence and other venues as required. (About 30%)
• Daily routine checks around the main compound and perimeter ensuring entrances and walkways are clear of leaves and general debris etc. (About 10%)
• Escort various contractors around the Embassy compound and wider Residential Estate. (About 20%)
• Perform and assist with general repairs to include woodwork, drywall, painting, plastering, locksmith duties and minor plumbing. (About 15%)
• Respond to residential and building service calls. (About 10%)
• Help other maintenance workers as required. Support contractors on large scale project work. (About 10%)
• Any other duties as assigned. (About 5%)

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

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Proficient

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Practical maintenance experience would be advantageous. While the main emphasis of this position will be residential maintenance, a variety of experiences in other trades would be welcomed.
• Excellent customer service and communications skills are essential.
• Basic IT skills (data entry, use of a tablet and work phone, work order system etc.)
• Must be able to lift a moderate amount of weight.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

• Any general maintenance skills (i.e. moving and storing, basic plumbing, basic electrical, basic painting etc. )

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

23 December 2025

Grade

S2

Type of Position

Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Washington

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$23.85

Type of Salary

hourly

Start Date

2 February 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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.

You may refer to our website for additional information:

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

Please note: 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.

Unique Tax Rules

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK's US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully - potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.

Working Patterns:

This is a full-time, on-site position, 40 hours per week. Monday to Friday 0730 to 1600. Occasional overtime and weekend working as required.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 23 December 2025

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 12months 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.

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.