Does USPS Hire Felons? (all you must know)
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If you’ve committed a felony in the past and tried to get a job, you know how difficult it can be to get a potential employer to ignore your record. In fact, many companies in the private sector refuse to even look at felons.
Fortunately, some places take a more nuanced approach when it comes to recruiting people with a past. One such organization is the United States Postal Service. In this article, we’ll give you detailed information about applying to USPS as a felon, so be sure to keep reading!
Will USPS Hire Felons in 2022?
USPS considers hiring felons in 2022. Job applications from felons will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Factors such as age at the time of the crime, elapsed time and recovery efforts were taken into account. In many cases, felons are only qualified for entry-level positions, such as city carriers, mail handlers, sales assistants, and mail handling clerks.
What is USPS’ policy on hiring felons?
USPS is open to hiring felons and has hired people with felony convictions in the past. Often, felons are only hired for entry-level positions away from sensitive areas.
USPS does not have a separate recruitment process for felons. Instead, felons can apply for jobs directly on the USPS website.
As part of the application, applicants must pass a criminal background check, drug screening and medical assessment, any of which may disqualify applicants on record.
That being said, the official USPS position on hiring ex-convicts shows that many people with criminal records have demonstrated successful recovery and are able to work.
It goes on to say that each applicant with a criminal record is assessed individually to determine their employability.
Factors such as age at the time of the crime, time since a felony, demonstrable rehabilitation efforts, and attempts at continuing education or training are all taken into account when determining employability.
What jobs can felons get at USPS?
In most, if not all, cases, felons are only eligible for non-sensitive entry-level jobs at the Post Office.
Often, this is because their qualifications are lower than other applicants.
Some common positions where USPS hires felons include:
- city carrier
- mail handler
- Sales Assistant
- mail handler
- distribution assistant
What keeps you from working for the USPS?
While USPS is open to hiring felons, there are some things that can disqualify an applicant from being hired.
For example, anecdotal evidence suggests that felons involved in theft or robbery are more likely to be rejected. After all, it’s hard to believe that a thief is holding a person’s package.
Sex offenders may not be hired because they are often banned from schools and playgrounds, making it nearly impossible to deliver mail.
Those convicted of treason or mail fraud may also see their applications rejected.
In addition to these general disqualifications, USPS has specific disqualification factors for positions that require driving. Some of these factors include:
- The applicant’s driver’s license has been revoked one or more times in the past 3 years, or twice or more in the past 5 years.
- The applicant has had their driver’s license revoked one or more times in the past 5 years
- The applicant has committed a violation in the past 3 years (or two or more in the past 5 years) due to an offense such as reckless, careless or negligent driving within the past 3 years.
- The applicant has committed a driving offence within the past 5 years, including the use of drugs, alcohol or controlled substances.
- Applicants have more than 1 violation in the past 12 months, 3 or more violations in the past 3 years, or 5 or more violations in the past 5 years for all other traffic violations (excluding parking violations).
What does USPS look for in a background check?
USPS requires all applicants to submit a background check to determine their employment eligibility.
This includes looking at applicants’ criminal records for the past 5 years, as well as their driving records (especially for positions that require operating a motor vehicle).
It is conducted using only US information sources (eg FBI fingerprint checks, state checks and county checks).
Background checks include pending criminal charges. Before applicants can be hired, they must be cleared.
How far back do USPS background checks go?
According to the USPS website, background checks go back 5 years.
This includes a 5-year investigation of where the applicant lives, works, or attends school in the United States or its territories.
How long does a USPS background check take?
Background checks usually take 7 days to several weeks to complete.
You’ll know if you passed a check when someone from HR contacts you about next steps, such as giving you a start date or scheduling your orientation.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on USPS seasonal work, USPS background check policy, and how easy it is to find a job at USPS.
in conclusion
USPS offers stable, predictable jobs with good benefits. Understandably, these features make working in the Postal Service attractive to all kinds of people, including felons.
Fortunately, the USPS is willing to hire certain felons if they have maintained a clean record for several years and demonstrated their recovery efforts.
