Many people with criminal records want to start their lives and get a job. It is not easy to find a job, let alone with a felony on your record. If you have a felony and are looking for a stable and well-paying job, you may plan to apply for a job at a post office. However, you have no idea if you can work at the post office. So, can the post office hire someone with a felony? Find the answer to the question below.
About Post Office
The post office in the United States refers to the United States Postal Service or USPS. Aside from being known as the Post Office and United States Postal Service or USPS, some people also call it U.S. Mail or Postal Service. The USPS is a branch of the United States federal government and is authorized by the Constitution of the United States. However, it is an independent agency. It is described as the one that provides postal service in the United States, its insular areas, as well as its associated states.
The Post Office operates under a universal service obligation or USO and has a monopoly on traditional letter delivery within the United States. These two are the ones that have the right to provide uniform price and quality. As a branch of the United States federal government, it has a privilege to access letter boxes within the U.S. Mail on it as well as personal letterboxes in the country.
Is It Possible to Work at the Post Office with a Felony?
The short answer to the question is yes. It is possible for someone with a felony to work at the Post Office. As stated on its official website, all candidates have the same right to compete for jobs on individual merits. The agency is also aware that many people with criminal history have displayed successful rehabilitation and have the ability to do their duties at the office. However, it is worth noting that each candidate with a felony will be evaluated by the Post Office regarding their employability with a criminal conviction or pending criminal charge.
Actually, the Post Office does not have an official policy governing hiring felons with criminal records. However, they may be prevented by their felonies from getting certain jobs at the agency. For example, if one involved vehicular offenses, the agency might refuse to hire that person to operate a mail truck for a reason. The second example is if one is a registered sex offender. That one will not be hired as a mail carrier because someone like that person is not allowed to be in close proximity to schools or playgrounds. Another example is if one was convicted of offenses related to theft, there is a high chance of them not getting hired as a cash operator.
Even though applying for a job at the Post Office as a felon is challenging, it does not mean there is no chance for one with a felony to get hired. In fact, the agency always tries its best to give a chance to everyone and has a great track record of hiring people with felony.
Types of Jobs Felons Can Get at the Post Office
The entry-level jobs are the kinds of jobs that are usually available for a majority of felons because they have less education compared to the others. Some of the common entry-level positions that are usually available for felons include:
- Sales associate
- Distribution associate
- City carrier
- Mail handler
- Mail processing clerk
Apparently, every single position mentioned above has different demands regarding expertise and experience. That’s why it is important for you to do your homework before applying for one of them.
The Post Office Check While Hiring Felons
Before offering people with a felony a job, the Post Office will run several checks. For those who are wondering about the various checks done by this agency, the list includes:
1. Credit history
During the background checks, you may be asked about your credit history by the Post Office. The agency thinks that your credit history shows your trustworthiness. Actually, they will not check your credit score. Instead, they will check whether you have made on-time payments and included the correct information about your previous addresses and employers. This kind of check is important, especially for jobs that require you to manage money.
2. Qualifications
In order to apply for a job at the Post Office, you must be a US citizen or a permanent resident of one of the US territories. Apart from that, you also have to be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma and are fluent in spoken and written English. For those who apply for a driver position, you also have to complete a road test. Failing to complete this test will erase the chance of you getting the job as it is part of the hiring process.
3. Background check
Every single candidate will have to go through a criminal background check, including those with criminal records. When in process, both state and federal databases are used by the Post Office. Besides, this kind of check will also consider any convictions or charges that are still pending, as well as the driving history, especially for a position that requires the operation of a motor vehicle. In addition, it is possible for a more thorough background check to be performed on candidates with a felony after they are offered a job.
4. Drug test
Another check that candidates will have to complete is a drug test. However, it is for several positions only. It depends on the type of the jobs the candidates are applying to. Those who have a drug or alcohol misuse record will usually have to go through this test. Apart from that, they will also have to pass the medical assessment or counseling.
Applying for a Job at the Post Office
Now that you have found out that the Post Office gives a chance to those with a felony to work for them, you may want to know how to apply for a job as a felon. Apparently, there is no difference between applying for a job at the post office as a felon and as someone without a felony. There are a number of websites that provide information about job vacancies at the post office. If you find one and you want to apply, you can follow the following instructions:
- The first thing that you should do is to go to the official website of the Post Office or USPS at https://www.usps.com.
- When you are there, navigate to its careers page.
- On the careers page, check all the open positions.
- Feel free to choose the position for which you want to apply and then proceed.
- If you want to view the job openings, there is no need for you to log in to your account. However, if you want to apply for a job, make sure to log in.
Usually, the candidates will have to complete an assessment questionnaire that will assess their ability to read addresses, fill out forms, and use a code, so please be prepared for it. In addition, you will also need to complete a personality test. If you pass the test, you will go to the next step, an interview. In case you fail, you cannot apply for a job again right away, meaning you will have to wait for a few months before making an attempt again.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, it is possible to work at the Post Office with a felony. Even though there is no guarantee for someone with a felony to be hired because they do some background check, there is a chance for someone with a criminal record to be hired, depending on the crime they committed and when it happened. In addition, the candidates should also prove that their life has changed for the better if they want to get hired.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
