The United States Postal Service (USPS), a massive and autonomous institution responsible for delivering postal services throughout the United States, is one of the country’s major employers.
Many people regard the service as fantastic employment because it offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and work stability. If you want to work for this agency, you should know what chances are accessible to you and how to strengthen your candidacy.
In this post, we will explain how to get a job with the USPS, define the types of jobs available, outline the perks you may be eligible for, and address some frequently asked questions about this organization.
How to Apply in USPS Jobs
If you want to work for the USPS, take the following steps:
1. Comply with the minimum standards
Check to verify if you match the minimum qualifications before applying for a USPS position. The following are the eligibility requirements:
- 18 years of age or older: The sole exemption is for individuals who graduated from high school before the age of 18, and who may apply at the age of 16. However, for specific positions, the minimum age maybe 21.
- Citizenship or permanent residency in the United States: A noncitizen must have a green card to prove their status as a permanent noncitizen resident.
- Screening: Applicants are subjected to a screening procedure that involves an interview as well as a review of their employment history and selective service enrollment status to determine their eligibility. Upon the receipt of a job offer, the applicant is subjected to a medical examination.
- Physical requirements: Each applicant is subjected to a physical examination, which includes an eye exam and a hearing test. Weight-lifting examinations may be required for some positions.
- • Driver’s license: Any applicant whose job description includes operating a motor vehicle must have a valid driver’s license. Other criteria include a clean driving record and passing a postal service road test.
- • Criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug testing: Candidates must submit to and pass a criminal background check, fingerprinting, and drug testing.
2. Pass the postal examination
There are four postal examinations. After you apply for a job, you will receive an email informing you of which test to take. You have 72 hours from the time you receive the email to complete the exam. The maximum score on any of the tests is 100, and the lowest passing mark is 70. After completing the exam, you will be given your score.
The exams are as follows:
Post-Service Exam #474
- City carriers are eligible to take Post Service Exam #474, also known as the virtual entry assessment MC or mail carrier test.
- Carriers in rural areas
- Assistants for city carriers
- Rural carriers’ assistants
- Associates in rural transportation
- Casual city transporters
This postal service exam is divided into three sections:
- Tell us about your experience.
- Workplace situations
- Explain your strategy.
Post-Service Exam 475#
The Postal Service Exam #475, often known as the virtual entry assessment MH or mail handler exam, is designed for:
- Handlers of mail
- Mail handlers on the side
- Assistants in mail handling
This postal service test is divided into four sections:
- Tell us about your experience.
- Workplace situations
- Explain your strategy.
- Check for mistakes.
Post-Service Exam 476#
Post Service Exam 476#, often known as the virtual entry assessment MP or mail processor exam, is for the following positions:
- Clerks in charge of mail processing
- Mail processing clerks on a part-time basis
- Clerks
- Clerks in charge of mail processing at the PSE
This postal service test is divided into four sections:
- Tell us about your experience.
- Workplace situations
- Explain your strategy.
- Check for mistakes.
Post-Service Exam #477
Post Service Test #477, also known as the virtual entry assessment CS or customer service exam, is designed for sales, service, and distribution associates.
- Casual sales, service, and distribution employees
- PSE sales, service, and distribution representatives
This postal service test is divided into four sections:
- Tell us about your experience.
- Explain your strategy.
- Situations at work
- Use your registration.
3. Apply for USPS jobs
To know How to Apply in USPS Jobs, first, create an account on the USPS website. After that, you can start looking for job openings. Pay attention to the job ad requirements because they will tell you about things such as education and work experience.
When you locate a job that interests you, click to apply. Then, using your USPS profile, fill out the online employment application. Try to be as detailed as possible and include as much pertinent information as feasible.
What jobs are available with USPS?
Postal offers numerous career opportunities. They fall into the following main categories when combined:
Postings for mail carriers
Postal carrier jobs involve the physical gathering and distribution of mail. These positions are divided into the following subcategories:
- A city carrier is in charge of delivering mail to its recipients. They drive and walk their route in all weather conditions, routinely lifting and carrying loads weighing up to 70 pounds.
- Clerks sift mail, distribute mail, sell stamps, and weigh packages. Long durations of standing, walking, and reaching are required, as is lifting up to 70 pounds and carrying up to 35 pounds.
- Distribution clerks scan and enter ZIP codes and run postal machinery that distributes and sorts mail, together with machine operators and flat sorting machine operators.
- Mail handlers are responsible for loading, unloading, and moving postal shipments weighing up to 70 pounds.
- A mail processor is responsible for loading mail onto automated mail-processing equipment and unloading mail from it.
- An automated clerk works with computer databases to change addresses, process mail, and conduct other clerical activities.
Positions other than mail carriers
Administration, maintenance, finance, marketing, and human resources are just a few of the jobs available at the USPS. Consider the following positions:
- Automotive technician: This employment is responsible for the upkeep of the Postal vehicle fleet. Typical responsibilities include conducting difficult repairs, diagnosing flaws, and resolving mechanical issues.
- Custodian: A custodian is responsible for keeping USPS facilities and grounds clean.
- Data conversion includes extracting information from documents, transferring it to computer input forms, and entering data.
- A vehicle operator drives and runs mail trucks to pick up, transport, or distribute large amounts of mail.
- A tractor-trailer operator drives heavy-duty tractor-trailers to offer over-the-road service, trailer operations, or city shuttle services.
Advantages of Working with USPS
Aside from competitive pay, employees of the USPS enjoy additional advantages for working for the federal government. These are some examples:
- Federal Workers Federal Health Benefits Program Participation (FEHB)
- Dental and vision insurance plans backed by the federal government
- Insurance for long-term care
- Insurance for life
- Paid time off
- Reduced commuting rates
- Thrift savings programs
- Job security
Frequently asked questions
What are some pointers for filling out USPS employment applications?
The USPS job application procedure may appear complicated to some. Here are some tips for completing the application:
- Let yourself have plenty of time to finish the job application, which can take a couple of hours.
- Certain OS systems may not work with the USPS digital procedure.
- Use a compatible web browser.
- Asterisk-marked application fields are required, and you cannot proceed until you complete them.
What are some pointers for preparing for the postal exam?
Another area that may appear intimidating is the postal exam. Here are some pointers on how to take it:
- Provide adequate time before the test to study and evaluate your test-taking pace.
- Before arriving for the test, have a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.
- Arrange your route and departure time from home, and consider doing a practice run to ensure you arrive on time for the exam.
What happens when you pass the exam?
If you score 70 or higher on the exam, you may be invited to a single or group pre-employment interview. The interviewer analyzes you in the following categories during this time:
- Communication abilities
- adaptability to changing circumstances
- Cooperation level
- Dependency level