•  Introduction
•  Employee Classification
•  Qualification Requirements
   
  •  Age Limits
  •  Entrance Exams
  •  Citizenship
  •  Physical Requirements
  •  State Driver's License
  •  Drug Testing
•  Postal Employee Benefits

Introduction

The U. S. Postal Service (USPS) employs over 773,000 workers in 300 job categories for positions at 39,000 post offices, branches, stations, and community post offices throughout the United States. Approximately 40,000 postal workers are hired each year to backfill for retirements, transfers, deaths and employees who choose to leave the Postal Service.

Vacancies are advertised internally by the USPS and not by the Office of Personnel Management. In 1971, the Postal Service became independent. Pay scales are determined by the Postal Pay Act and are not a part of the General Pay Schedule.

Starting pay is $19 per hour, $39,520 per year, for part time flexible mail carriers. Mail handlers start at $13.92 per hour, $28,953 per year, and clerks start at $18.26 per hour, $37,980 per year. Mail handler workers are initially hired under the Postal Service’s part time flexible pay scale and work 40 or more hours per week. The average pay and benefits for career bargaining unit employees was $63,771 per year, excluding corporate-wide expenses, in 2007. Postal Service Pay Scales are posted on this site for the largest pay systems predominantly for bargaining unit employees. There are also Executive and Administrative Schedules for non- bargaining unit members, with pay ranging from $20,875 up to an authorized maximum of $108,166.

The PS pay scale is the largest pay system in the USPS and is predominately for bargaining unit employees. There are also Executive and Administrative Schedules for non-bargaining unit employees that range from $20,875 up to $148,400 for the Postmaster General.

•  Employee Classification
•  Qualification Requirements

Employee Classification

Bargaining unit employees initial appointments are either casual (temporary) or Part-Time Flexible (Career). Hourly rates for Part-Time Flexible employees vary depending upon the position's rate schedule. Some positions are filled full-time such as the Maintenance (Custodial) classification. Corporate non-tested positions are classified differently. Click here for Corporate job information.

College students may be considered for casual (temporary) employment with the Postal Service during the summer months. The rate of pay now exceeds $11.00 per hour. Tests are not required and appointments can not lead to a career position. Apply early for summer work. Contact Post Offices in your area by no later than February for summer employment applications. Casual temporary positions are also advertised on the Postal Services’ employment and job listing web site. Visit the "Resources" section for direct links to their site.  

Qualification Requirements

Various standards from age restrictions to physical requirements must be met before you can take one of the Postal Service exams.

•  Age Limit
•  Entrance Exams
•  Citizenship
•  Physical Requirements
•  State Driver's License
•  Drug Testing

Age Limit

You must be 18 to apply. Certain conditions allow applicants as young as 16 to apply. Carrier positions requiring driving are limited to age 18 or older. High school graduates or individuals who terminated high school education for sufficient reason are permitted to apply at age 16.

Entrance Exams

Applicants for clerk, carrier and other specific jobs must pass an entrance exam. Specialties such as mechanic, electronic technician, machinist, and trades must also pass a written test. The overall rating is based on the test results and your qualifying work experience and education. Professionals and certain administrative positions don’t require an entrance exam or written test. They are rated and hired strictly on their prior work experience and education.

The Postal Service exam schedule dates are listed online by state at http://www.usps.com/employment. Exams are offered generally every two years in an area, depending on turnover rates and other factors.

The 473 Postal Examination covers the following entry level positions:

•  City Carrier
•  Mail Processing Clerk
•  Mail handler
•  Sales, Services, and Distribution Associate

The 473 Postal Examination covers the majority of entry level hiring, although some offices also maintain custodial registers which, by law, are reserved for veterans’ preference eligibles. The USPS also maintains motor vehicle and tractor trailer registers and some highly skilled maintenance positions such as building equipment mechanic, engineman, electronics technician, and general me-chanic. All the skilled maintenance positions require examination 931. A separate announcement, examination 932, is required for Electronics Technician positions.

Six sample exams are presented in Chapter Five of Post Office Jobs, and a sample 473 Battery Test is included in Chapter Six, along with a comprehensive study guide in the new Fourth Edition of Post Office Jobs, available at your local bookstore, library, or order with any major credit card by calling 1-800-782-7424 to help you prepare for this test. The 473 examination and completion of forms will require approximately three hours. Jobs with the U.S. Postal Service are highly competitive due to the excellent salary and benefits offered. It’s essential that you pass the test with the highest score possible to improve your chances. Applicants scoring between 95 and 100 percent have a better chance of being hired.
 
Citizenship

Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens. If you have permanent alien resident status in the United States of America or owe allegiance to the United States you can apply for Postal Service jobs.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are determined by the job. Carriers must be able to lift a 70-pound mail sack and all applicants must be able to efficiently perform assigned duties. Eyesight and hearing tests are required. Applicants must have at least 20/40 vision in the good eye and no worse than 20/100 in the other eye. Eyeglasses are permitted.

State Driver’s License

Applicants must have a valid state driver’s license for positions that require motor vehicle operation. A safe driving record is required and a Postal Service road test is administered for the type of vehicle that you will operate.

Drug Testing (Substance Abuse)

The Postal Service maintains a comprehensive program to ensure a drug-free workplace. A qualification for postal employment is to be drug free, and this qualification is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug screen. When you are determined to be in the area of consideration for employment, you will be scheduled for a drug screening test.

This information is excerpted from the all new fourth edition of  "Post Office Jobs." This title includes everything you need to land a  Post Office job.  You can also visit your local Library's Reference Department to review this informative book, call 1-800-782-7424 to order a copy by phone or order on-line.