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This material is the property of Postal Jobs Source and Labor Services Copyright

2023. Any duplication of this material without the express written consent of Postal Jobs Source and Labor Services is strictly forbidden. Any violator will be pursued to the furthest extent of the Law.

This guide is sold with the understanding that the writers and publishers are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other such professional advice. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate information. The Postal Service and other Government agencies’ hiring and testing policies and processes are subject to revision without notice. Therefore, the material in this guide and the separate exams are necessarily presented without warranty expressed or implied as to their accuracy or currency. Again, every attempt has been made to provide accurate information to the best of the publisher’s knowledge. Furthermore, the writers or publishers cannot be held accountable for any error or omission. If legal or accounting advice is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

27th Edition

This guide is produced by Postal Jobs Source and Labor Services. Postal Jobs Source and Labor Services are an employment service and a registered corporation. Postal Jobs Source and Labor Services are not affiliated with the U.S. Government or any of its agencies.

Copyright 2023 Labor Services / Postal Jobs Source 2

Table of Contents

Instructions – How to use this Guide READ FIRST 4 Section 1 Government Job Application Process 7 Section 2 Postal Service Employment 18 Section 3 Salary Grading & Promotions 72 Section 4 Government Agencies & Available Jobs 77 Section 5 Department of Agriculture Employment 97 Section 6 Homeland Security Employment ….…118

Section 7 Reference Information 135 POSTAL SERVICE PRACTICE TESTS

Because of the various number of tests, the Postal Service sample exams and answers (“Postal Service Practice Tests”) were available for download separately, when you downloaded this Guide. If you did not download the sample exams (individual “Postal Service Practice Tests”) when you downloaded this Guide, you can simply refer back to the email we sent you for the download link to access all of the Postal Service sample exams (“Postal Service Practice Tests”).

Please be aware that you will NOT have to take all of the practice tests. The Postal Service has different exams for different positions. Please refer to Section 2 of this Guide to see which exam covers each position. 3

Instructions - How to use this Guide

The Postal Service has its own method of applying for its job openings and all other Government agencies have a completely different method of applying for their job openings. Please refer to the respective section of this Guide for full details. For Postal Service Employment, please READ BELOW FIRST. Postal Service Application Process

This is just a summary of the application steps. PLEASE READ Section 2 of this Guide “Postal Service Employment” for detailed information about the application process.

Steps:

1. Read Section 2 of this Guide “Postal Service Employment”. Follow the instructions laid out in Section 2 to see the available job openings. Please be aware that available job openings change EVERY DAY. So be certain to follow the instructions in Section 2. ALSO be aware that if you live in an area that is close to the border of another state, the job openings may be across the border in the other state.

2. Apply for the job openings by following the instructions in Section 2 of this Guide “Postal Service Employment”. Please note, you CANNOT apply at your local post office, they DO NOT accept applications there and they do not know of the current job openings. The ONLY way to apply is on the internet, by following the instructions in Section 2 of this Guide. It is important that you follow the application instructions laid out in Section 2, so you can be certain of not missing a job application opportunity as new job openings become available EVERY DAY. Apply for as many job openings as you can, this will increase the chances of being hired. The exam process takes place AFTER you apply, you must apply first. Once you apply for a position, you will be notified, usually by email, in regards to the exam details and the deadline for completing the exam.

3. Prepare for the exam by studying the “Postal Service Practice Tests” that apply to the job opening(s) you applied for. The “Postal Service Practice 4

Tests” (sample exams and answers) were available for download separately, when you downloaded this Guide. If you did not download the individual “Postal Service Practice Tests” when you downloaded this Guide, you can simply refer back to the email we sent you for the download link to access all of the “Postal Service Practice Tests”. Per the instructions in Section 2 “Postal Service Employment”, the Postal Service will notify you of the exam process AFTER you apply. 4. We also STRONGLY encourage ALL job seekers to take advantage of applying for ALL other Government job openings by following the instructions in Sections 4, 5 & 6. Don’t narrow your job search to just Postal Service jobs, there are currently over 6,000 other Government job openings across the country and they are all accessible by following the steps laid out in Sections 4, 5 & 6.

Customer Support Email: adznk1@r.postjobfree.com Customer Service Phone Number 1-844-***-****

Other Government Agencies Application Process

The United States Government is the largest employer in the country. All OTHER Government agencies use one internet web site for listing and applying for the available job openings. The following is just a summary of the web site and application process for all other Government agencies. PLEASE READ Sections 4, 5 & 6 of this Guide for detailed information about the web site and application process. The United States Government currently has over 6,000 job openings nationwide and they are all listed on this web site (EXCEPT the Postal Service which has its own job application process outlined in Section 2 of this Guide). However, there are some job openings on this web site that are NOT clearly seen by the job seeker. For example, job openings that have

“Multiple Locations” as their hiring location. To make sure that you see ALL of the job openings that are available to you PLEASE READ Sections 4, 5 & 6 for full details. This web site gives you the ability to search for all available jobs by 5

your state location or desired Government agency. The web site is a wealth of available job information. Unfortunately, most people either don’t know that this web site is available or how they can fully use the site to their employment advantage. If you are a job seeker, take advantage of this resource that is being provided to you. If you don’t have a computer, we urge you to visit your local library’s computer in order to gain access to this employment resource. Military Service Alert

The United States Military is in desperate need of people. Most branches of the military have thousands of vacant positions. Because of this, most military branches are paying large sign on bonuses and offering other benefits. If you or anyone you know is interested in military service this is a great opportunity to make money and learn marketable skills that can translate into good jobs in the private sector after your military service.

Local Government Job Information

Remember, the government is the largest employer in the United States employing more people than any corporation. There are many other agencies of the government that are usually hiring and that includes your local government. Other agencies would include: fire department, city or state office administration, public works (water & roads, etc.), police department, parks & recreation, health department, etc. For local government job information, look in the “City Offices” or “State Offices” section of your local telephone book. Job information lines are usually listed in the Human Resources or Personnel sections. Many cities also have Internet web sites that list available job information.

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Section 1

Government Job Application Process

There is no larger employer in the world than the United States Government. The United States Government employs more people than any corporation. Not only are there job opportunities domestically, but employment outside the United States is a possibility on military bases, overseas embassies and various departments of defense and state agencies.

Some agencies do provide job opening information over the phone, however, the government as a whole is moving away from that process. The government is moving to a process of displaying ALL of their job openings and applying for their job openings on the internet. The Postal Service has its own method of applying for job openings. That process is discussed in detail in Section 2 “Postal Service Employment”.

All OTHER Government agencies use a completely different method of applying for job openings. We will go into much greater detail on how to apply for other Government agency jobs in Sections 4, 5 & 6 later in this Guide. However, here is a summary of that process. The United States government has one internet web site that shows ALL available job openings across the entire country, for every government agency. (The Postal Service is the ONE government agency exception, they do NOT show their job openings on this web site, they use the web site and application process listed in section 2 of this Guide). If you are a job seeker wishing to gain employment with the government, this internet web site is the most important resource you have available to you. For job seekers, this internet web site is an incredible resource, unfortunately, many job seekers either do not realize this web site is available to them or how they can fully use the site to their employment advantage. This web site is owned and operated by the United States government. The web site is listed below:

www.usajobs.gov

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There are currently over 6,000 government job openings across the country and ALL of them are listed on this one web site (EXCEPT Postal Service job openings). There is an incredible range of job openings listed on this web site. The jobs can range from fisherman to rocket scientists and literally everything in between. No matter what your education level is or what type of experience you have, we strongly recommend that you use this web site, as it is the best tool to gain government employment. On this web site you can view job openings and for most job openings, apply online for each job opening. For most job openings, once you click on a job title, there is a tab labeled, “How to Apply”. Once you click on this tab, you simply follow the instructions to apply for that job opening. Most important of all, you can post your resume on this site, through the resume builder feature, so that ALL government agencies can see your resume. By doing this you may be called and interviewed for job openings that you didn’t even know existed. We will go into much greater detail on how to use this web site to your full advantage in Sections 4, 5 & 6 later in this Guide. No matter what type of job you are looking for, we strongly recommend that you use this employment resource to your advantage. If you do not have a computer or access to one, we strongly recommend that you go to your local library where you can use their computers to access this critical employment web site.

You will have to become familiar with a whole new employment language. This is the federal government, after all. A special occupational classification system exists which determines pay and job grades.

There are four basic types of positions within the federal government: 1. Career. The career position is the one to which most federal workers ultimately subscribe. This is full–time, entitled to all rights and privileges of government employment. A three–year probationary period must be completed first before you achieve this category classification.

2. Career–Conditional. This position is of a probationary nature, lasting three years, after which you become eligible for a career classification. During this period of time, employees are measured on their abilities and effort in an attempt to decide if they can 8

be upgraded to career at the end of the three–year period. Since the career employee is generally the last one affected by cutbacks, this probationary period is a critical one for the individual aspiring to full–time permanent status within the US Government. 3. Term. These are positions filled for a finite period of time. Generally, an agency may be given a project or research study lasting for a set period of time (one, two, three years, for example), after which a report is due. Since assistance may be needed to complete this project, the grant money awarded is used to hire term employees, hired until the end of the project. Health benefits will likely be available. Pension benefits probably will not. The term employee who performs well may have an inside track to future employment within the career–conditional employment level mentioned above. 4. Temporary. These positions are less than one year in length and do not carry any special privileges or benefits like health insurance. However, work well done is generally remembered. In addition, you may be privy to hearing about other openings and if your work has been satisfactory, a supervisor’s recommendation can help move you into position for other work.

As you can see, these are stepping–stone types of positions. This is the way the federal government works. Within this structure is a pre–programmed format within which one moves slowly up the ranks. There is little room for diversity and flexibility within this framework, but there is a certain amount of stability and security the farther along you go. There is also the chance for part–time work on either a temporary or term basis and that information would be listed along with the posting of the position itself.

The controlling organization is the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM fills the available federal positions with few exceptions. They are the clearing house for applications to which they compare your qualifications with the listed positions. Or, if your application is to be put on record only OPM reviews it with an eye towards agency suitability and places your name on a list for further reference as positions come up.

When a job opening then becomes available, this list is consulted for potential names to be sent directly to the department looking for workers. A number of factors are used in qualifying people and your success will depend as much on your experience as it 9

will on compensation available, number of people applying for the position; and number of openings.

There is a network of Federal Job Information Centers located across the country. These centers are located in many metropolitan areas. However, as mentioned previously, the government is moving away from using these centers and moving away from applying for job openings over the phone. The number one resource for job seekers wishing to work for the federal government is the internet web site mentioned at the beginning of this section.

Where available, this network of centers provides information on summer employment, necessary exams, employment application forms and other aspects of obtaining federal employment. The following pages list the latest addresses available. 10

Alabama Alaska

Office of Personnel Management Federal Building

806 Governors Drive 701 C Street

Huntsville, AL 35801 Anchorage, AK 99513

Arizona Arkansas

Federal Job Information Office of Personnel Management US Postal Service Bldg.. 700 W. Capitol Ave. Rm. 3421 Phoenix, AZ 85005 Little Rock, AR 72201

California California

Office of Personnel Management Federal Job Information 845 Figueroa St. 3rd Floor 1029 J Street Room 100

Los Angeles, CA Sacramento, CA 95814

Colorado Connecticut

Office of Personnel Management Federal Job Information 1845 Sherman Street Fed. Bldg.. 450 Main St. #613

Denver, CO 80203 Hartford, CT 06103

Delaware DC

Federal Job Information Center Office of Personnel Management Fed. Bldg.. 600 Arch Street 1900 E St. NW Rm. 1416 Philadelphia, PA 19106 Washington, DC 20415

Florida Georgia

Office of Personnel Management Federal Building

80 N. Hughey Avenue 75 Spring St. SW Rm. 960

Orlando, FL 32801 Atlanta, GA 30303

Hawaii Illinois

Federal Job Information Center Office of Personnel Management 300 Ala Moana Blvd. Rm. 5316 55 E. Jackson Rm. 1401 Honolulu, HI 96850 Chicago, IL 60604

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Indiana Iowa

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 46 E. Ohio St. Rm. 124 210 Walnut St. Rm. 191

Indianapolis, IN 46204 Des Moines, IA 50309

Kansas Kentucky

Office of Personnel Management US Office of Job Information 120 S. Market St. Rm. 101 100 N. Main Street

Wichita, KS 67202 Memphis, TN 38103

Louisiana Maine

Herbert Building 2 Center Plaza

610 S. Maestri St. Rm. 802 Boston, MA 02133

New Orleans, LA 70130

Maryland Massachusetts

Federal Building 3 Center Plaza

101 W. Lombard Street Boston, MA 02133

Baltimore, MD 21201

Michigan Minnesota

Federal Job Information Center Federal Job Information Center 477 Michigan Ave. Rm. 565 Fort Snelling

Detroit, MI 48226 Twin Cities, MN 55111

Mississippi Missouri

Office of Personnel Management Federal Job Information Center 806 Governors Drive 601 E. 12th St. Rm. 134

Huntsville, AL 35801 Kansas City, MO 64106

Missouri Montana

Federal Job Information Center Office of Personnel Management 815 Olive St. Rm. 400 1845 Sherman St.

St. Louis, MO 63101 Denver, CO 80203

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Nebraska Nevada

Office of Personnel Management Federal Job Information 215 N. 17th St. Rm. 1010 US Postal Service Bldg..

Omaha, NE 68102 Phoenix, AZ 85005

New Hampshire New Jersey

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management Federal Bldg. Rm. 104 Federal Bldg., 970 Broad St. Portsmouth, NH 03801 Newark, NJ 07102

New Mexico New York

Office of Personnel Management Federal Bldg.

421 Gold Ave. Federal Building 26 Federal Plaza

Albuquerque, NM 87102 New York, NY 10278

New York North Carolina

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 100 S. Clinton St. Rm. 840 310 New Bern Ave., Federal Building Syracuse, NY 13260 Raleigh, NC 27610

North Dakota Ohio

Office of Personnel Management Federal Job Information Center 1845 Sherman Street 200 W. Second St. Rm. 509

Denver, CO 80203 Dayton, OH 45402

Oklahoma Oregon

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 200 NW 5th Street 1220 SW 3rd St., Federal Building Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Portland, OR 97204

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Federal Job Information Center Federal Job Information Center 228 Walnut St. Rm. 168 600 Arch St., Federal Building Harrisburg, PA 17108 Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Pennsylvania Rhode Island

Federal Job Information Center Office of Personnel Management 1000 Liberty Ave., Rm. 119 Federal Building, Rm. 310 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Providence, RI 02903

South Carolina South Dakota

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 310 New Bern Ave., Federal Building 1845 Sherman Street Raleigh, NC 27610 Denver, CO 80203

Tennessee Texas

US Office of Job Information Office of Personnel Management 701 San Jacinto Street Rm. 403 1100 Commerce Street Memphis, TN 38103 Dallas, TX 75242

Texas Texas

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 701 San Jacinto St. Rm. 403 643 E. Durango Boulevard Houston, TX 77002 San Antonio, TX 78206

Utah Vermont

Office of Personnel Management 3 Center Plaza

1845 Sherman Street Boston, MA 02133

Denver, CO 80203

Virginia Washington

Office of Personnel Management Office of Personnel Management 200 Granby Mall Rm. 220 915 Second Ave. Federal Building Norfolk, VA 23510 Seattle, WA 98174

Remember, if you did not see an OPM office near you, the same information is available on the internet web site mentioned at the beginning of this section. By either contacting your local center or visiting the web site, you can find out what jobs are available in your area and receive information regarding the appropriate qualifications for each position. Higher paying jobs are going to attract the most competition, naturally. These positions also require the most schooling and experience, usually. 14

Ascertaining these specifications can help you decide which positions you best qualify to apply for.

Once you’ve determined what job openings you’re interested in, it’s time to try and obtain the job. If you applied for a job opening on the web site, you may either be allowed to complete the entire application process right on the internet (for most job openings on the web site, there is a tab labeled, “How to Apply”, clicking on this tab will take you through the application process) or in some cases, an employment packet will be sent to you. This packet will contain the application and other important information in applying for the job opening. Completing the application is an important step in obtaining government employment. How you complete it can give you an advantage when it comes down to being short–listed for a specific position. Whether your work experience is regular or volunteer, note it all in as much detail as you can. Government loves detail and the more descriptive your duties, tasks and accomplishments the more likely something might flash in the eyes of a personnel officer. Be sure and indicate how your past experiences qualify you specifically for the job you are seeking. Do not assume the person reading your application will make the obvious connection. Spell it out in detail and make the correlation for the personnel officer.

Do not miss an application deadline. If you do, you won’t be considered this time around. In addition, do not leave out any information requested on the application. If you do, that could kick out your application, as well. The government is very picky about this type of detail. The application is almost like a sweepstakes entry. One error and you’re out of the running.

Along with the application may be the condition that a test be taken. The application packet will provide details about this testing and a list of testing centers where the test will be administered.

These tests are meant to give some indication of your proficiency level. Typing positions often require a typing test. Postal service positions may have several tests measuring your ability to recall names and addresses. Pharmaceutical positions will require math tests. Correctional officers will be tested on their ability to handle people. The exact scope of the test will be detailed in your packet. 15

You will have to take whatever test is required. This is not an option. Failure to take the test disqualifies you from job consideration.

Don’t worry about it. If you have an interest in the position you’re applying for and a relevant background to qualify you for it, you will be able to take on the test. You’ll be in with several other people taking the test, too. If you fail one, take another. Experience will make you better at test taking.

You will be assigned a rating (usually a number) following review of your application. Your former employers will be called to verify the information you put on the application and to tell how productive you were in your prior position. The more experience you have and the more positive feedback from prior employers, the better your rating.

A college degree improves your rating. Successful passing of any required tests helps your rating. The higher the score, the more likely you will attract attention from potential hiring people.

Your Notice of Rating will have a score and an identification number. This will be your reference point for current and future applications. Other information required is your name, birth date, social security number and address. If you move, you will need to notify OPM so they may update your file.

Hiring may be done through these OPM back lists or the agency involved may simply advance internally, or even hire back a past employee. You won’t know which, but the higher your rating, the more likely you’ll land on the short list of three applicants per position, one of whom must be hired.

Those individuals who are handicapped will be given every opportunity to earn a rating and qualify for a job, too. The Americans With Disabilities Act specified non– discrimination in hiring practices between handicapped and non–handicapped individuals. Audio tests will be administered for the blind, an interpreter provided for deaf applicants, and so forth.

Veterans will also be given preferential treatment through increased rating points. Extra points above and beyond what the individual scores will be given for a Purple Heart, a service–related disability and honorable discharges. Widows of veterans will 16

also be eligible for extra points. There are some restrictions but most veterans get some additional assistance in the hiring process.

If you feel you have been discriminated against in the hiring process, you have the right to go through a formal appeals process. Send a written letter of complaint to the agency stating the details of the situation within 30 days of the incident. In positions of national security, you will be subject to a special investigation of your personal background. Your fingerprints will be checked and personal references will be contacted, all in the task of identifying the level of your integrity and reliability. You may be asked to review a list of organizations to ascertain if you have any connection with them.

Typically, the minimal age requirement is 18. Some positions such as federal law officers have a higher age standard required, but this is more the exception than the rule.

Completing your education is important to you–– and the government. OPM will encourage you to finish school even as you are working full or part time or temporarily with the government. There are specific work–school programs that, if you fit this bill, you may be interested in. Your high school counselor (if you are still in high school) can help and so can the OPM in your area.

You must be a citizen of the United States, with a few exceptions that are noted in the publication, “Federal Employment of Non–Citizens”. Normally, only US citizens are allowed to compete for civil service positions. But foreign job situations do provide exceptions, so you should look into this further if this applies to you. Drug testing is an extreme likelihood, so be prepared. If a job has certain physical qualifications, such as FBI agent or Border Patrol officer, this will be spelled out in your application packet.

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Section 2

Postal Service Employment

The Postal Service is an independent agency of the Federal Government. There are nearly 1 Million Postal Service employees. Because of the large number of jobs within the Postal Service system, the available job openings CHANGE EVERY DAY. So it will be CRITICAL for you to follow our application instructions consistently and FREQUENTLY, to ensure that you don’t miss a job opening. The Postal Service has its OWN unique method of applying for its job openings known as the eCareer application system, NO other Government agency uses this system. We will go into great detail later in this section on exactly how to apply for Postal Service job openings. If you are a job seeker, don’t narrow your job search to just Postal Service jobs. Once you have completed this section and applied for Postal Service jobs, please read Section 4 and apply for OTHER Government agency jobs. There are currently over 6,000 OTHER Government agency job openings nationwide and they can be applied for by reading Section 4.

Each year the Postal Service must fill many positions. Postal employees have a union working to gain better pay and working conditions for them. As a result, job descriptions, working conditions, working hours and salaries are always subject to change. A career with the Postal Service can provide great pay and lifelong job security.

In reviewing this section, you will notice that there are MANY different Postal Service jobs. You will probably notice one job that you prefer most. However, it is CRITICAL that you don’t limit your opportunities by refusing to consider other Postal Service jobs. Remember, the key is getting your foot in the door. Most Postal Service jobs require no higher education and no experience, so they are all considered entry level jobs, but they have great pay. If you accept a Postal Service job that was not your original preference, you can always transfer into your preferred job later. Also remember to keep your Postal Service job location search as large as possible. If you accept a Postal Service job that is further away than you desire, you can always transfer to a Postal Service job closer to you later. Remember, these are entry level 18

jobs with great pay, so the key is getting your foot in the door. With the Postal Service eCareer application system, you can apply for job openings nationwide. So you don’t have to limit yourself to your hometown or even your state. Once you take and pass an exam, you can use that exam score to apply for jobs anywhere nationwide. There are a wide range of job types within the Postal Service. The Postal Service is mandated by the Constitution to provide daily mail delivery to every commercial and residential address in the United States. To accomplish this, the Postal Service has to have a large number of employees. Even in a down economy, the Postal Service still hires new employees. In a down economy they may hire more temporary or part time employees and fewer career employees.

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