How to Gain Employment with the United States Postal Service
Employment in the United States Post Office is a great opportunity for a career with excellent benefits.
Most people don't know that the postal service is one of the oldest government functions in the nation. The first person given permission to process mail in the New World, Richard Fairbanks started in 1639!
The first functioning national mail service began under Andrew Hamilton in 1692. Benjamin Franklin was one of the first to hold the title of Postmaster General in 1753. Fired by the British for "less than enthusiastic loyalty to the crown, he got the job back when the Revolutionary War began.
The Postal Service officially began in 1789 as one of the first acts of the infant nation. Currently over 750 thousand employees process and deliver over 200 billion pieces of domestic mail from coast to coast.
You need to be sure that you are eligible to join the Posta Service as the first step in seeking their employ. The requirements are:
- You must be at least 18 years of age, or,- If you already have a high school diploma, you must be at least 16,- You must be a US citizen or possess a green card,- You must demonstrate basic competence in the English language and- All males over the age of 18 must be registered with the Selective Service.
Specific jobs have additional requirements but all have these in common.
The next step is to prepare for the Postal battery exams.
There are several official exams used as a screening and selection process by the USPS. The two most common and familiar test are the 460(Rural Carrier Associate) and the 473(General Post Office Exam).
The Rural Carrier Associate requires at least 20/40 vision in one eye (or correctable) plus the ability to lift heavy loads (70 lbs) and a valid driver's license (with a clean driving record).
The Rural Carrier Associate must also possess a vehicle in roadworthy condition and be adequate to perform the duties of the position.
The General Postal Service exam covers a variety of positions commonly found in the typical city Postal Retail center. These include Sales and Service Clerks and City Carriers.
Once you decide which role you would like to fill, you need to find out when the next exam is being given in your area. You can try contacting your post office, register on the USPS website www.usps.com.
The site will give you the information I have here plus more on other jobs such as Maintenance and Repair jobs. They also have information for military veterans and disabled applicants.
There are commercial services that purport to help you get post office jobs. While none can guarantee you employment, some offer fine Study Guides that help in preparing for the Exams.
