Publication 60-B, October 1999
A GREAT
PLACE to WORK Fresh Air Exercise People
City Carriers
EVERYONE Taking care of business is serving everyone the way they want to be
served. Our work force of over 765,000 career employees is focused on customer
satisfaction. We have daily mail delivery and pick- up for over 130 million
households and businesses.
EVERYWHERE We are a service provider for the
worldwide movement of messages, merchandise, and money. With nearly 300,000
delivery employees and 38,000 facilities nationwide, we are located where our
customers live or have their businesses.
EVERYDAY We deliver 41 percent of the
world's mail, 630 million pieces, everyday. Automation of 5 billion hand-
addressed letters saves millions of hours of manual effort. We are moving closer
to our goal to be the world's first completely barcoded, fully automated mail
stream operation.
We are fulfilling our historic trust to "bind the nation
together." Fresh air Exercise People CITY Carriers
COMPENSATION/ BENEFITS PROGRAMS
COMPENSATION: In addition to highly competitive
basic pay rates, most Postal Service employees also receive cost- of- living
adjustments (COLA), overtime pay, night shift differential, and Sunday premium
pay. COLAs help protect pay against inflation and are applied semi- annually to
basic pay. Overtime is paid at one and one- half times the applicable hourly
rate for work in excess of 8 hours per day, or 40 hours within a workweek. Night
shift differential is paid at a specified dollar rate for all hours worked
between 6pm and 6am. Sunday premium is paid at 25 percent for work scheduled on
Sunday.
HEALTH INSURANCE: The Postal Service participates in the Federal
Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, which provides excellent coverage and
flexibility with most of the cost paid by the Postal Service. There are many
plans available, including both traditional insurance coverage and Health
Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). Employee premium contributions are not subject
to most taxes, making health insurance even more affordable.
RETIREMENT: The
Postal Service participates in the federal retirement program, which provides a
defined benefit annuity at normal retirement age as well as disability coverage.
THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN: After a waiting period, career postal employees may
contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is similar to 401( k)
retirement savings plans offered by private sector employers. Employees
contribute to TSP on a tax- deferred basis, and may receive automatic and
matching contributions (up to 5 percent of pay) from the Postal Service. SOCIAL
SECURITY AND MEDICARE: Newly hired postal employees are covered under Social
Security and Medicare.
LIFE INSURANCE: The Postal Service offers coverage
through the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. The cost of
basic coverage is fully paid by the Postal Service, with the option to purchase
additional coverage through payroll deduction.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS:
Career employees may participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program
after one year of service. Tax- free FSA contributions can be used to cover most
out- of- pocket health care and dependent care (day care) expenses.
LEAVE: The
Postal Service offers a generous leave program to career employees that includes
annual (vacation) leave and sick leave. For the first 3 years of service, full-
time employees earn 13 days of annual leave per year, increasing to 20 days per
year after 3 years of service, and to 26 days per year after 15 years of service.
In addition, full- time employees earn 13 days of sick leave per year as
insurance against loss of income due to illness or accident.
HOLIDAYS: The
Postal Service observes 10 holidays each year.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
EXAM ANNOUNCEMENTS - WHERE DO I LOOK? * On public bulletin boards in post
offices and in local, federal, and state municipal buildings * State employment
offices * Local TV, newspaper, and radio advertisements * Community
organizations, including minority, women, and veterans' organizations Note:
Individuals with 10 point veterans' preference and veterans who apply within 120
days of discharge are eligible to reopen certain examinations.
EXAMINATIONS - WHAT IS REQUIRED? * Applicants are required to bring admission
card, picture ID, and two No. 2 pencils. * Applicants are required to report for
the exam on time. Latecomers will not be admitted. * Applicants must have a
passing score of 70 on the postal examination. * Examinations are designed to
assess the required skills for each position. On average they take a few hours
to complete. * Read all materials in the package which schedule applicants for
the exam.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS The Postal Service makes reasonable
accommodation for the known disabilities of qualified job applicants when such
assistance is requested. Such accommodations are typically provided on a case-
by- case basis. We provide contact information in exam scheduling material of
where to request an accommodation.
REGISTERS - HOW DO THEY WORK? Entrance
registers list applicants for external hiring consideration. They provide a
framework of scores from 70 to 100, adding additional points to passing scores
for veterans' preference. Names are arranged in descending score order and the
final score consists of the basic examination rating plus any claimed veterans'
preference points. By law, eligible disabled veterans are listed at the top of
the register before other applicants. These individuals will be required to
submit proof of disability.
THE EMPLOYMENT PROCESS We are a large labor
intensive organization that recognizes our employees as one of our most
important assets. Our successes and failures are largely determined by the
caliber and efforts of our employees. In addition to our entrance examinations,
the following eligibility requirements are used to determine employment.
AGE
REQUIREMENT: 18 years at the time of appointment or 16 years with a high school
diploma.*
CITIZENSHIP: Employees must be a U. S. citizen or permanent resident
alien.*
BASIC COMPETENCY IN ENGLISH SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/ 31/
59 must be registered with the Selective Service System.*
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
Applicants must provide the names of their current employer and all previous
employers for the 10- year period immediately preceding the date of application
or to their 16th birthday, whichever is most recent.
MILITARY SERVICE: Military
service is treated as prior employment. Veterans must indicate service and
submit Copy 4 of the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from
Active Duty.*
CRIMINAL CONVICTION HISTORY: A local criminal check is required
prior to employment. A more extensive criminal history check is completed at
employment.*
DRUG SCREEN: A qualification for postal employment is to be drug
free, and is determined through a urinalysis drug screen.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENT: A
medical assessment is conducted to provide information about an applicant's
ability to physically or mentally perform in a specific position.
SAFE DRIVING
RECORD: A safe driving record is required for employees who drive at work (i. e.,
city carrier, motor vehicle operator, etc.). * Interested applicants should
start to gather the documentation for these requirements in advance so that they
will be available when needed. For example, notice of registration with
Selective Service, appropriate military discharge records, employment
eligibility documents, and any other records that are appropriate.
THE CITY CARRIER JOB The Postal Service recruits, tests, screens, selects, and
hires qualified applicants for a number of major entry- level jobs, including
city carrier. Most new employees are designated as "part- time flexible" (PTF).
They are paid an hourly rate and work a flexible schedule as required by the
workflow. City Carriers are responsible for the prompt and efficient delivery
and collection of mail. They travel planned routes to deliver and collect mail
and typically cover their routes on foot or by vehicle. They must work outdoors
in all kinds of weather, have a current valid state driver's license and a safe
driving record. Applicants must be physically prepared to do a job that requires
standing, walking, reaching, and sometimes handling heavy sacks of mail. They
must have good vision (corrective lenses permitted), especially, if their job
requires driving. City Carriers act as representatives of the Postal Service.
They must maintain pleasant and effective public relations with customers and
others. Since their appearance influences the general public's confidence in and
attitude toward the Postal Service, they are expected to maintain neat and
proper personal attire and grooming appropriate to conducting public business,
including the wearing of a uniform.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is embodied in
our nation's laws. It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, religion,
color, sex, national origin, age (40 and above), physical or mental disabilities,
or in reprisal for participating in protected EEO activity. The Postal Service
is unequivocal in its opposition to all forms of discrimination. We are
committed to following EEO laws and their application to all employment matters
including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, assignments,
promotions, transfers, benefits, and discipline. POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES CAN
EXPECT * Drug Free Workplace * Safe Working Environment * Fairness In Personnel
Related Matters * Training * Advancement Opportunities * Diverse Workforce *
Harassment Free Workplace
This material is intended as a general reference to be used in conjunction with
recruitment. It is not equivalent to an official handbook, manual, or policy
statement and may contain representations that are subject to interpretation and
potential change in the law.
1999 US Postal Service Publication 60B, October 1999