Postmaster refers to managing a community post office, which is part of the US Postal Service. A postmaster has a wide range of responsibilities due to their position as the branch supervisor. They include making sure that the mails have been delivered to the homes and businesses to oversee retail operations and control the post office staff. The first Postmaster General of the US was Franklin Benjamin. This guide will discuss the Postmaster general salary and all the essential details you need to know.
This job requires several general qualifications. Those who have higher education and experience will manage a sizeable Urban post. The current holder of the office of postmaster in the US is Louis Enjoy. This guide will discuss the Postmaster general salary and all the essential details you need to know.
The History of Postmaster General
This office is one of the oldest dates back to the US constitution and the United States Declaration from independence. This was according to the older English and the British position on the Postmaster General.
Benjamin Franklin was appointed as the first Postmaster General by the Constitutional Congress in 1775. He went on to serve for 15 months. Before becoming the Postmaster-General, he had served as the deputy postmaster for the British colonies of North America from 1753.
The Postmaster General headed the Post Office Department up to 1971. In this period, the President appointed the generals depending on the advice and the consent of the US senate. In this timeframe, the general was included in the cabinet. The postmaster generally controlled the governing party’s patronage, which was a very powerful position after the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.
This position remained in the cabinet even after the introduction of the spoils system. However, the role went to the new President’s campaign manager or any key political supporter, and it was considered something of the sinecure.
After 1971, this position was reconstituted and reorganized into the United States Postal Service, an independent agency in the government’s executive arm. This meant that the postmaster would no longer sit in the cabinet. The general is appointed by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service appointed by President with advice from the senate.
The Postmaster General is the second-highest-paid government official after the President of the US.
Postmaster General Job Description
A postmaster general has numerous duties that include managing the mail delivery logistics and directing the retail operations of all post offices. The Board of Governors of the Postal Service selects and appoints the Postmaster general. The President appoints the members of the Board Governors with the advice and consent of the US Senate.
The Postmaster general will also sit on this board. This post’s appointment usually does not require the confirmation of the senate. The Postmaster General, together with the Governors, will elect the deputy postmaster general.
USPS Hiring Process of Postmasters
For those looking forward to becoming the postmasters, you need to apply for it. Just visit the facilities you are looking forward to and ask for the USPS employment application. You are also eligible to look for and apply for jobs on the USPS online job website.
Applicants need to meet several requirements such as 18 years and above or 16 with a high school degree, a Citizen to the US, or a permanent residence is required. Residents of territories like American Samoa qualify for this task. A drug test and background check are subjected to applicants and must be passed to ensure one becomes eligible.
Positions like the mail carrier need you to have an excellent driving record and pass the medical assessment. Almost 80 percent of the USPS positions need those applying to pass the pre-employment examinations. It is true for the postmasters need to do written examinations that will cover their work experience, personal characteristics, and job skills such as memory forms completion and address, as well as the ZIP code.
A proctored test known as the 473 Postal Exam is given to the specific testing facilities. An applicant will be contacted later based on the exam results when the various positions become vacant.
How to become a Postmaster
If you want to become a postmaster, you will be posted internally, and the position is assigned to the most qualified and experienced worker that has applied, unlike the Postal general, who the Board of Governors appoints. The candidate must have a background education in the postal services, including processing and delivering mail and working with the customers directly.
A candidate for this position also needs to finish the relevant internal training. If you have appropriate academic qualifications such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s in business or any other related field, it will be of immense advantage if there are many people applying for the position.
Postmaster General Salary
Postmaster General is the highest office in the post office hence the highest paying one. The Postmaster’s General earns $ 291 650, just behind the President’s salary, which is a $400,000 salary, and slightly ahead of the vice president’s $ 253 500.
According to the US Department of Labour, the starting salary of a post office is $57 260 annually. It is quite significant since we have workers that earn less than this. The lowest earners at the post office earned less than $ 33,430. The lowest earners are the part-time workers. The post workers have a union that strives t protect the wages as well as their benefits.
Postmaster managers earn more than the other post office employees. The average salary of the US postmaster is $ 71 436. The highest reported salary was $91, 255 while the lowest one was $ 57 812. The entry level postmasters are the ones who earn the lowest wage and having less experience of below five years. Higher salaries will be earned by those with experience of more than ten years.
Conclusion
We have covered what Postmaster general salary is and other crucial information you need to know about them. Enjoy the reading!
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