Postal Employees

Hi. I received a Conditional Offer for a non-career, Rural Carrier position. Based on my research, I would have to pass different stages of the hiring process before actually being offered the job. So, I am not getting my hopes up yet.

I was hoping some of you could clarify a few things. The information sent me says that the position is Part-time, some weeks I may work 20 hours, others 60. The job would be in Beaufort County, SC. Is there a guaranteed minimum hours per week? How many hours a week do you think I could expect? Is 30 - 35 a week usual?

Assuming I am hired, what is the mileage reimbursement? Any other "benefits" I may not have read about?

I'll be 52 soon, so I don't expect to top out in any capacity after 30 years. But, if I did work 10+ years, what is a reasonable hourly rate to expect? The starting pay was advertised as $19.06. The information I received said $18.56.

Does the USPS have a mandatory retirement age? Could I work until I am 70?

How difficult is it to change positions? For example, after awhile (when I am older) stop being a Carrier and work as a mail sorter or customer service?

Is it difficult to transfer to a different location? For example, move from SC to Florida at some point.

Thank you for any information.

Paul

Thanks. Looks like that website has a lot of information. I appreciate it.

There is no way we would know how many hours you might get. There is no guarantee of hours. Expect Post Master to be less than truthful about hours

To get answers from real rural carriers go here;
https://www.ruralinfo.net/

Thanks again for the link. Interesting reading.

things are better when full time for sure, and going from RCA to regular usually isnt a quick process...i know of multiple RCAs that have 10+ years of service and still arent career, but there are always stories of people getting career in under a year on the rural side...

and ive been in offices that you get 2 days a month, and offices where its 6 days a week...

and if you do end up deciding to become an RCA make sure you work in an office where vehicles are provided...if you have to supply your own vehicle and only get 1-2 days a week, you either already need a car with a bench seat or a right hand drive, or it doesnt make any sense...

RCA and ARC are sucker bets, unless the roof at the station caves in and kills everyone. Takes YEARS, if ever, to be a regular rural carrier.

I live in Phoenix, one of the hottest growth areas in the country. 9 years ago, I was a RCA in a fast-growing suburb. I was 30th in seniority among the RCAs.
Dead last.

In two months, I went from 30 to 20. By six months, I was up to 15. Last man standing of the 15 original hires. BUT . . .

The top RCAs had been there seven years, and the people 10-14 on the list had at least 3 years in. I quit after New Year's 2013, and was one of the first CCAs hired. Made regular in mid-2014.

In the meantime, a few of the long-time RCAs at the other station quit, and a few were converted. Two of the people directly ahead of me got converted a couple years later. This in a city where the population was 26,000 in 2010, and 51,000 in 2020.

If you want to work for the PO, go for CCA. The new agreement gets you career in TWO YEARS.

Simply put: RUN! DO NOT TAKE AN RCA JOB!

Why? It's not career. No guarantee of hours. You're on call and they don't care if you have another job, family, etc.... You're expected to give up your life and simply report at their whim. Again, you're not career and it could take a decade or more to be a regular. It might take less, but you're 52 already and do you want to take that risk? You might be the guy that lucks out, gets 40 plus hours every week and converts before you die of old age. I just think it would be a major mistake. I'd recommend McDonalds, Walmart, Amazon and probably even the corner convenience store before I'd recommend the RCA job, even to my worst enemy. You might be better looking at a PSE, CCA or custodial position if they're available. And if you're talking a large enough facility or office, it could even be worth a commute of an hour or so each way and definitely a safer bet than 99% of RCA jobs.

It is unfortunate thathe a "premier" company has such ba bad reputation with its employees.