USPS Assistant Rural Carrier (Job Description, Pay + More)

USPS is a federally owned and operated company, and federal employers are well-known for offering good pay and benefits. If you or someone you know plans on applying to USPS, you might have some questions.

For example, does the USPS Assistant Rural Carrier position offer good pay and benefits? I’ve looked into the job, and here’s everything I discovered about the position!

USPS Assistant Rural Carrier In 2022

A USPS Assistant Rural Carrier assists Rural Mail carriers on their route as of 2022. It’s a part-time position that consists of delivering mail on multiple routes when full-time mail carriers are unavailable, meaning Assistant Rural Carriers work varying hours. Assistant Rural Carriers receive benefits and typically make $19-$20 an hour, and there are plenty of opportunities for advancement.

If you’re interested in becoming an Assistant Rural Carrier with USPS and want to know more about the daily duties, job description, and requirements, be sure to keep reading!

What Is The Job Description For A USPS Assistant Rural Carrier?

A job description for any open position includes the job’s duties, primary responsibilities, required qualifications, and typical hours.

However, most available USPS jobs will only be posted on its internal job site, called eCareers, so the job description typically isn’t readily available.

After some research, however, I discovered an auxiliary site that has some great information, including the duties and responsibilities of a USPS Assistant Rural Carrier.

Therefore, the general list of duties and responsibilities for a USPS Assistant Rural Carrier are as follows:

  • Loads packages in delivery sequence in the vehicle.
  • Delivers packages to customers along a prescribed route.
  • Sorts mail in delivery sequence for the assigned route.
  • Receives and signs for accountable mail.
  • Loads mail and packages in the vehicle.
  • Delivers mail and packages to customers along a prescribed route or as an auxiliary assistant by a vehicle
  • Collects money and receipts for accountable mail
  • Picks up mail from customers’ roadside boxes.
  • Furnishes routine information concerning postal matters to customers.
  • Returns mail collected, undeliverable mail, and submits money and receipts to the Post Office.
  • Prepares appropriate time records.
  • Provides mail security at all times.
  • May be required to provide a vehicle for delivery if an employer-provided vehicle is not assigned.
  • Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all types of weather.
  • Carriers may be required to load and unload trays and containers of mail and parcels weighing as much as 70 pounds.
  • Maintain a neat and professional appearance/demeanor.

Additionally, if you want to check out more of what this auxiliary site says about the USPS Assistant Rural Carrier position, you can click here.

How Much Does An Assistant Rural Carrier For USPS Get Paid?

USPS determines most of its workers’ pay on a pay scale, which pairs hourly wages with the amount of time an employee has worked with USPS.

That said, most Assistant Rural Carriers for USPS start at an hourly wage of about $19 an hour.

Also, USPS employees typically get one to two raises a year based on how well their Post Office location performs.

What Does The Schedule Of USPS Assistant Rural Carriers Look Like?

What Does The Schedule Of USPS Assistant Rural Carriers Look Like?

Because Assistant Rural Carriers are typically part-time positions intended to cover full-time rural carriers, the schedule can be inconsistent.

Usually, the Assistant Rural Carrier position requires you to have an open schedule because you have to come in when other carriers call out sick or are on vacation.

Also, the Assistant Rural Carrier position is defined as a long-term, non-career relief position that can work directly into a career position.

Depending on the size of the facility and the number of carriers that they would potentially cover, Assistant Rural Carriers can work anywhere from one to two days a week up to 40 hours a week.

Even if the facility you work at doesn’t need you to work more than five hours a week, you can pick up extra shifts at surrounding Post Offices in the area.

But, just be sure to get permission from the local Postmaster first!

Also, these hours fluctuate based on the time of year. For example, every Post Office employee, including the Assistant Rural Carriers, works more during Christmas.

Moreover, Assistant Rural Carriers are expected to be available on holidays and weekends, as most full-time carriers will be allowed these days off.

What Are The Requirements To Become A USPS Assistant Rural Carrier?

First and foremost, all Assistant Rural Carriers for USPS must complete and pass the Virtual Entry Assessment- MC (474) to qualify for the position.

You can find information about the assessment, study guides, and more on this site, as well as what to expect from the test and how to help with any test anxiety.

Once you pass the assessment, you’ll be required to complete training in different areas to demonstrate the possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed for the position through testing and practical demonstration.

That said, these KSAs include Postal Service driving policies, safe driving practices, and various skills related to the carrier’s job duties.

Unfortunately, a failure to demonstrate any of the required KSAs disqualifies an applicant from the position.

In addition to the KSAs and the entry assessment, you must have a driver’s license and pass a mandatory drug screening.

Additionally, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a citizen or legal alien of the United States.
  • Be at least 18 years old or have a high-school diploma.
  • Be able to pass a physical to prove you are physically capable of handling the duties that come with the carrier position.

How Can I Get A Job At USPS As An Assistant Rural Carrier?

The first step to getting an Assistant Rural Carrier position with USPS is to make an eCareers account, which is the internal job board for USPS.

Thre, you can find a step-by-step guide on making an eCareers account, searching for jobs, and applying to different positions here.

Once you’ve made your eCareers account, ensure that you meet all of the requirements listed above for Assistant Rural Carrier.

Once you apply on eCareers, you may be prompted to take the assessment. Or, it may take some time for someone to reach out to you to ask you to take the assessment.

After passing the assessment, you’ll be asked to take a background check, drug screening, and submit proof of citizenship and your driver’s license.

All in all, the application and screening process can take as long as four months to complete, so if you don’t hear back from someone immediately, don’t get discouraged!

Also, you can always visit your local Post Office in-person to help speed things along.

To know more about USPS, you can also read our posts on how do you get a USPS PO box, if USPS is a good job, and if USPS is a federal job.

Conclusion

A USPS Assistant Rural Carrier is a part-time, non-career relief position that primarily covers full-time carriers who cannot work their usual schedule.

Also, Assistant Rural Carriers typically make $19 an hour and have flexible schedules since they must cover for other carriers on relatively short notice.

An Assistant Rural Carrier has several duties and responsibilities, most of them surrounding the delivery and transport of various mail pieces.

To get a job as an Assistant Rural Carrier, you must be 18 years old, a citizen or legal alien of the United States, able to pass a drug screening and background check.

Additionally, USPS asks that you’re able to pass an assessment and different training modules after applying on eCareers.

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