Employment Requirements

Want to Join the USPS team?

At USPS, our employees are our most valuable assets. For those who meet our employment requirements, we offer an outstanding compensation and benefits package. Below, you'll find the eligibility requirements for USPS 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 proceeding the date of application or to their 16th birthday, which ever 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 carriers, motor vehicle operators, etc.).

Compensation and Benefits

USPS Work for Our Employees!

For those who meet our employment requirements, our highly competitive compensation and benefits packages are outstanding.

• Compensation
  In addition to highly competitive basic pay rates, most Postal Service employees also receive regular salary increases, overtime pay, night shift differential, and Sunday premium 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 6 pm and 6 am. Sunday premium is paid at 25 percent for work schedule 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
  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), after a waiting period, 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 our- 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.

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