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POST OFFICE JOBS INFORMATION
Explore and Find Jobs, Prepare for the 473 Postal Exam
and Locate ALL Post Office Job Opportunities

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

The Postal Service initiated new streamlined application and testing procedures and now Post Office job announcements are posted on-line along with scheduled post office exam test dates for all areas. You can also call them for job information through their Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to locate job vacancies and to apply for exams by phone. Visit our "Resource" section for direct links and phone numbers. If you call you will need the job announcement number which can be obtained from their web site or by calling your local Post Office or Customer Service District Sales office.  

A complete listing of all Customer Service District Sales offices are listed in Chapter Four of "Post Office Jobs" by Dennis V. Damp.  Professional or administrative positions that do not require written exams are also posted on the listed web sites. The two primary application forms are the PS Form 2591 Application for Employment, a four page document and the PS Form 2181-A that is used for Pre-Employment Screening. Forms are printed in Appendix C of "Post Office Jobs" and we have downloadable versions on our "Resource" page.  Use these forms to draft your application prior to receipt of the job announcement.

Postal recruitment notices are often advertised in national and local newspapers, publications, journals and periodicals. You can also visit the web site http://Federaljobs.net for direct links to the Postal web sites and to over 200 federal recruiting web sites. If there are no vacancies listed on the sites mentioned above contact individual mail facilities in your area to find out when they intend to recruit. Otherwise you will have to visit these sites weekly to check for new job announcements.

Apply for all job vacancies in the government and private sectors to improve you chance of employment. You can post your resume online at no cost to expand your job search. Click on the following icon to post your resume for free.

 

Written Exam Positions

Approximately 80% of all Postal jobs required the applicant to register for and take a written exam. The remaining 20% are "Corporate Jobs" and they select applicants for interviews after reviewing and rating the detailed application that you must submit when you apply for these jobs. The majority of tested entry level jobs are for city carrier, mail processing clerk, mail handler, and sales, services, and distribution associates and these occupations require you to take the 473 Postal Exam. There are also exams for other occupations as noted on the following list. All exams are listed with sample questions in "Post Office Jobs" by Dennis V. Damp and this book includes a comprehensive 473 Study Guide. The other exams are:

  •  Exam 91 - Motor Vehicle Operator Exam for garageman, motor vehicle & tractor trailer operators.
  •  Exam 710 - Clerical Abilities Exam for clerk, clerk-typist, and clerk stenographers
  •  Exam 714 - Data Conversion Operator
  •  Exam 931 - Maintenance specialists/technicians, welders, custodian, building equipment mechanic, carpenter, elevator mechanic, fireman, general mechanic, machinist, electrician, mason, painter, plumber, and stationary engineer.
  •  Exam 932 - Electronic technician
  •  Exam 933 - Measure 16 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) used by a variety of maintenance positions including maintenance mechanic and overhaul specialist.

Casual (temporary) positions

 

The Postal Service hires thousands of Casual Employees starting in June of each year. Your local postal facility may display recruitment notices and they often advertise in local newspapers. This year you can find all casual temporary jobs advertised at the Postal Services' official web site. Notices typically list multiple orientation sessions, the positions available, and pay. These jobs may lead to full time employment. Starting salary ranges form $9.00 to $12.50 an hour.

Casual temporary positions are a good way to familiarize yourself with the Postal Service's work environment and they can lead to full time employment. If they like your work, and keep you for at lest 180 days, you can request to take the Postal Exam; even if none are currently being administered in your area. If you pass the test your name will be added to the current hiring register in rank order for full time employment. 

One word of caution. The casual temporary positions schedules are tedious to say the least. They can and do often work casual temps long hours and sometimes 7 days a week during peak mail periods and you are subject to work any and all shifts. It is hard work but if you impress the supervisor and they keep you for up to 180 days you may be able to take the test and get on the full time register.

You sign up by phone at 1-578-757-3199, TTY 1-800-800-8776. If you call you MUST have an announcement number to apply by phone. If you call, contact your local postal facility to find out the job announcement number if you don't have internet access. Casual Temporary advertisements provide a local number that you can call to obtain the job announcement number. If you apply online, job announcement numbers are provided next to the job vacancy, just click on the job vacancy number to apply online. An application package with orientation dates will be sent to you shortly after applying. To learn more about these positions and to apply online visit http://www.usps.com/employment/tempjobs.htm. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Job Announcement # 238038 is printed below for your reference:

Casual Applications Are Now Being Accepted

Opening Date: May 26, 2008, Closing Date: September 26, 2008

Casual positions may be available at the following locations:

General Mail Facility - Northside ($9.00 - $10.50 per hour)
Bulk Mail Facility - Warrendale ($10.00 per hour)
Logistics and Distribution Center - Warrendale ($12.00 per hour)
City of Pittsburgh - 152 zip codes ($12.50 per hour)
 

  • Applicants must be at lest 18 years of age or a high school graduate and pass a background investigation, drug screening and medical assessment.

Call the Casual Job Information Line at 412-359-7515
for  the current announcement number before applying.

 

  • Applicants may apply online or by phone

  • By Phone - Call 1-866-999-8777 (TTY 1-800-800-8776)

    • Follow the prompts (Must have an announcement number to apply by phone
       

  • After you have applied, you will be sent an application packet

  • You are responsible for returning the completed information for employment consideration. failure to return the information will place you in a non-consideration status.

These instructions are for the facilities listed above only. If you are interested in any office outside of those listed, you must contact the Postmaster of the desired office to inquire of Casual employment opportunities.

THE POSTAL SERVICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The orientation may last up to 5 hours.

Also, explore and apply for all job vacancies in the government and private sectors to improve you chance of employment. You can post your resume online at no cost to expand your job search. FREE OFFER: Click on the following banner to post your resume.

 

 


Detailed job information and application guidance is included in the all new fourth edition of Post Office Jobs.  You can also visit your local Library's Reference Department to review this informative book, call 1-800-782-7424 to order a copy by phone or order on-line.

Copyright © 2005 Bookhaven Press LLC
Last modified: 06/18/08