USPS City Carrier Assistant (Definition, Requirements And More)

June 23, 2024

Do you love working with people and making a difference in your community?

If so, a career as a USPS City Carrier Assistant (CCA) might be right for you! The United States Postal Service is currently hiring CCAs to work in urban and suburban areas across the country.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s find out more!

Contents

What Does A CCA Do?

The duties of a CCA include delivering and collecting mail on foot or by vehicle in a designated geographic area, providing customers with postal service information, and selling stamps and other postal products. They may also be responsible for sorting mail, loading vehicles, and lifting heavy sacks of mail.

USPS City Carrier Assistant – Education And Training Requirements

USPS City Carrier Assistant - Education And Training Requirements

Whilst there are no formal education requirements to become a USPS carrier assistant, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. They must also be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test.

Additionally, some skills would be beneficial to ensuring success in the role.

These include:

Customer service skills: This will ensure that you can provide the best possible service to customers.
Physical fitness: As the role involves a lot of walking, it is important to be physically fit.
Organizational skills: This will help you to keep on top of your workload and ensure that all mail is delivered promptly.
Attention to detail: It is important to be careful when handling mail and to pay attention to detail to avoid mistakes.
Ability to lift heavy objects: As the role involves lifting heavy sacks of mail, it is important to be physically strong.
Perseverance: There may be times when the job is challenging, so it is important to be able to persevere, especially during harsh weather periods.

What Is The Work Environment Like?

City Carrier Assistants typically work full time and may be required to work weekends and holidays. They also need to be able to work in all weather conditions as they will be outdoors for most of their shift. The job can be physically tough as it involves a lot of walking and lifting heavy objects.

Additionally, the majority of the time, you will be working independently.

Salary Expectations

The average salary is around $19.10 per hour. However, pay may vary depending on experience, qualifications, and location. You can also earn overtime pay for working more than 40 hours per week.

Training Requirements

All new hires must complete a four-week training program at the USPS Academy. This program covers topics such as mail processing, safety procedures, and postal laws and regulations. They may also shadow experienced CCAs to learn the ropes before working independently.

What to Expect in the Job Market?

The demand for this role is expected to remain steady over the next decade. However, competition for jobs may be high in some areas. Applicants with previous experience or knowledge of the postal system may have an advantage over those without. However, with more and more people ordering online, the demand for postal workers should increase.

What Are the Job Opportunities?

There are many opportunities for career growth and advancement within the USPS for city carrier assistants. With experience, you may be promoted to higher-level positions such as city or rural carrier. There are also opportunities to move into management roles.

What Are The Benefits Of Being A CCA?

It may not seem like the most fun job; however, being a city carrier assistant comes with some great benefits! These include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, being free from an office environment can be a great perk for those who prefer to work outdoors. The large amount of walking you will have to do means you will get plenty of exercise too!

The Downside Of Being A CCA?

But despite this healthy lifestyle opportunity, the job is not without its downsides. One of the main complaints from current employees is the weather conditions they have to work in, come rain or shine!

Additionally, as the job is quite physically demanding, it can be tough on your body if you are not used to walking long distances or lifting heavy objects. Although the pay is not bad, it is not the highest, especially considering the level of physical exertion required.

Job Description Examples

Here are two job descriptions for CCAs:

Example 1:

“The XYZ postal office is seeking a city carrier assistant to join our team! You will be responsible for delivering mail and packages to residences and businesses on your assigned route. You will also be required to lift heavy sacks of mail, sort packages, and perform other duties as needed. The ideal candidate will need to be:

Physically fit.
Detail-oriented.
Able to work independently.
Dependable.

This is an excellent opportunity for those who enjoy being outdoors and working with the public. If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding career, this is the job for you!”

Example 2:

“The ABC postal office is looking for a city carrier assistant to deliver mail and packages to residences and businesses daily.

The ideal candidate should be:

Physically fit.
Enjoy being outdoors.
Have excellent communication skills.

Qualifications and Skills:

Able to lift up to 50lbs.
Valid driver’s license.
Over 18 years old.
High school diploma or equivalent.

A regular day will see the ideal candidate sorting mail during the morning hours and then delivering it along their route. City carrier assistants will sometimes cover a route for a carrier who is on vacation, or they may deliver small portions of numerous routes. This is a fantastic way to get to know the area in which you work and the people who live there. It is also an opportunity to gain experience on how to read a map and navigate an urban area, as well as how to use a GPS system.

The USPS offers extensive training for city carrier assistants, which covers topics such as mail handling, package delivery, and safety. This position will begin as soon as possible and pay $19.10 per hour. If you are looking for an opportunity to join a talented team and have a passion for public service, we want to hear from you!”

Similar Job Roles

Several other job roles are similar to that of a city carrier assistant.

These include:

Mail Handler: This role similarly involves sorting and delivering mail. However, Mail Handlers typically work indoors in a postal facility rather than out on the streets.
Postal Clerk: Postal Clerks also work indoors in postal facilities. Their duties include selling postage, helping customers with their mail, and sorting mail.
Rural Carrier: Rural Carriers deliver mail to residences and businesses in more rural areas. They may use a vehicle for their deliveries rather than walking.

Would You Like To Work For USPS?

You have a choice of job opportunities between UPS and USPS with our UPS Application Online Jobs Career Info, or learn more about the company with our in-depth UPS Mission And Vision Statement Analysis; and; once you have applied, check out What Does Offer Phas Ext Mean For USPS, to see how far along the process is.

You might also be wondering Does UPS Drug Test Package Handlers, or perhaps Does UPS Do Background Checks if you have a criminal record.

Although, if your heart is set on USPs, then take a look at our guide to the USPS Application, and check out our in-depth USPS Mail Processing Clerk Job Description to see if the position would suit you, along with Does USPS Hire Felons in 2023.

USPS City Carrier Assistant – Final Thoughts

In conclusion, being a USPS Carrier Assistant is a terrific way to get started in a career with the postal service.

The job offers good pay and benefits, and there are opportunities for career growth and advancement. However, the job can be physically challenging, and weather conditions can be tricky to work in. It is also important to be meticulous and able to work independently. So, if you think this job is for you, apply today!

All the very best in your new job as a USPS Carrier Assistant!

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