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.
Pay starts at $25,554 per year for full time career employees at the PS-1-BB pay grade and increases to $55,275 at the PS-10-P top pay grade. The average pay and benefits for career bargaining unit employees was $57,051 per year, excluding corporate-wide expenses, in 2004. There are also Executive and Administrative Schedules for non-bargaining unit employees that range from $20,875 up to $98,514.
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BENEFITSPostal employee benefits are similar to federal employees' benefits which are featured on this site. There are a few differences. Postal workers do pay considerably less for health care benefits than do general schedule federal employees due to negotiated union contracts.
Postal workers can contribute to a 401K Thrift Savings Plan, purchase low cost life insurance and they receive generous holiday, vacation and sick leave allowances. Detailed information about benefits, retirement, qualifications requirements, and pay is included in the paperback version of "Post Office Jobs" by Dennis V. Damp. This book is available at many libraries in their reference section or you can purchase a copy by calling toll free at 1-800-782-7424 for $19.95 plus shipping.
All major credit cards are accepted.EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATIONSInitial 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.
Full-Time and Part-Time Flexible (career) employees comprise the Regular Work Force. This category includes security guards. Part-Time Flexible employees are scheduled to work fewer than 40 hours per week and they must be available for flexible work hours as assigned. Part-Time Flexible employees are paid by the hour. Hourly rates vary from $12.29 for PS Grade 1 Step BB to $27.26 for PS Grade 11 step P.
A Supplemental Work Force is needed by the Postal Service for peak mail periods and offers casual (temporary) employees two 89-day employment terms in a calendar year. During Christmas an additional 21 days of employment can be offered to Supplemental Work Force employees.
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 web site.
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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTSVarious standards from age restrictions to physical requirements must be met before you can take one of the Postal Service exams. The paperback version of "Post Office Jobs" provides complete information on the postal Service including:Age Limit Entrance Exams, including the new 470 Battery test study guideCitizenshipPhysical RequirementsState Drivers LicenseDrug Testing (Substance Abuse)
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