Federal Post Office Jobs

The U.S. Postal Service is one of the largest employers of any government institution in the United States. With over 700,000 workers at any given time, the post office also has a rather large turnover of employees, with almost 40,000 new ones being hired each year to replace those who retire or move on to other positions.

Facts

Even though post office jobs are legally linked to the U.S. government, the Postal Service operates independently, hiring its own employers through advertisements placed in publications of their own choosing. Openings can also be found through the USPS national register online, where there are also listings for testing centers and other job entry requirements.

Considerations

New workers start their career as PS-1-BB levels, which means their salaries and benefits are minimum (an average of $25,500 per year) and can eventually work their way up to the PS-10-P level, in which salaries average $57,000. Supplemental work force employees, hired during peak times such as Christmas, receive a temporary contract and a minimum salary of $11.00 per hour.

Potential

Federal Post Office jobs offer a wide variety of benefits, similar to the ones received by other government employees. Union contracts, however, have made it possible for postal workers to have less tax expenses and better health care coverage than other federal employees. Federal Post Office jobs also offer other benefits, such as higher-than-average sick and vacation days, low-cost life insurance and early retirement.

Features

Except for supplemental work force employees (who are hired on the spot and don't have to meet any special requirements), all postal workers must pass a special test known as "Test 473 for Major Entry-Level Jobs." They must also meet certain physical and health requirements, pass a drug test, have a driver's license and be able to present proof of citizenship or, for certain positions, legal U.S. residency.

Expert Insight

For administrative and professional positions within the U.S. Postal Service, priority is given to current employees, so openings are advertised first in internal publications. Certain corporate positions may not require an entry test, so they are open to temporary and part-time workers as well.

Resources

• Federal Post Office Job Openings