Pse sales & svcs/distribution associate uniform

#1 Posted : Friday, January 6, 2012 11:17:38 AM(UTC)

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I have a few interviews at different PO's for this position. My question is: This sounds like an intensive behind the scenes position. The PO's I applied to are all smaller buildings, deffinately not Main PO's. If hired, what would I be doing in such a small facility? Thanks.

#2 Posted : Friday, January 6, 2012 8:14:31 PM(UTC)

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Probably a little of everything. Breaking down the mail to the carriers and box section, putting mail up in the box section, working the window, mark up, etc. Pretty much whatever needs to be done. Good luck!

#3 Posted : Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:24:10 AM(UTC)

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@Postal Steve - During the interviews, did they tell you that there would be test that you had to pass for this position? I've never worked at a station but I'm sure that there is a test for the Sales & Services part and possibly a scheme test for the Distribution part.

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#4 Posted : Saturday, January 7, 2012 12:48:45 AM(UTC)

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L16PTF wrote:

Probably a little of everything. Breaking down the mail to the carriers and box section, putting mail up in the box section, working the window, mark up, etc. Pretty much whatever needs to be done. Good luck!

Steve. I certainly agree with this post.  But can you be more specific. Is it a smaller Station/Branch

in a large city/urban area or is it a small Post Office in a smaller town/rural area ?? Thanks and good luck to you.

#5 Posted : Saturday, January 7, 2012 1:38:46 AM(UTC)

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I had previously taken Postal Exam 473E back in August. I got an 84.6% plus 5 points for being a veteran. I'm also a former probationary federal employee (career/career conditional appt). I've read a lot of negatives on the PSE positions on here and I understand that I nay never have a prosperous career with the USPS, but $14.60 an hour is looking pretty good right now. I can only hope for 30+ hours a week! :)

PS: they are both PO's in suburban towns, population 18,000 and 11,000 about 10-15 minutes outside a major city pop. 65,000 where there is a large Main PO.Postal Steve2012-01-07 09:46:39

#6 Posted : Saturday, January 7, 2012 2:37:40 AM(UTC)

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Here is what I've found about the job description from a posting in Florence, KY.

PSE SALES & SVCS/DISTRIBUTION ASSOCIATE     

Performs distribution and a variety of sales and customer support services for products. Maintains pleasant and effective public relations with customers and others requiring a general familiarity with postal laws, regulations, and procedures commonly used.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs any variety of sales and customer services at a retail window such as maintaining sufficient inventory of and selling stamps, stamped paper, other retail products and services and may use a computerized system, accepting and delivering packages and accountable mail; issuing and cashing foreign and domestic postal money orders; accepting and responding to customer claims and inquiries, and providing information to the public regarding postal regulations.
• Provides sales and customer service support by greeting customers and explaining store layout; determining special interests and referring to sales and promotional programs; offers assistance in product selection; provides special assistance; and answers customer inquiries when needed.
• Provides product and service information to customers, including informing customers regarding special offers; suggestive selling related merchandise; promoting products based on customer needs. Provides additional information regarding product features and services.
• Handles and processes customer purchases and returns relating to products and services and may use a point of sale system. Assists customers with transactions.
• Maintains appearance of store by setting up, arranging, and replenishing displays and merchandise racks; ensures display and selling areas, work stations, and storage areas are presentable to customers.
• Conducts product inventories by counting items on hand; attaches and removes security devices; accounts for items on display; and verifies and records sales floor inventory and shrinkage. Brings inventory discrepancies and shrinkage reports to the attention of the appropriate supervisory presence.
• May verify presort and bulk mailings of all classifications computing and maintaining on a current basis mailers' credit balances.
• Checks and sets post office stamp-vending machines and postage meters.
• Rents post office boxes, receives rental payments, conducts reference checks, and completes related forms.
• In addition, may assign and clear accountable items.
• Distributes primary and one or more secondary schemes of incoming mail by delivery point based on a knowledge of the distribution scheme established for the office, branch or station.
• Distributes primary and one or more secondary schemes of outgoing mail for dispatch based on knowledge of current distribution schemes.
• Follows established safe work methods, procedures and safety precautions while performing all duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Applicants must successfully complete Postal Service Test 473.

Applicants must be physically able to efficiently perform the duties of the position, which require arduous exertion involving prolonged standing, walking, bending, and reaching, and may involve the handling of heavy containers of mail and parcels weighing up to 70 pounds.

Qualified applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening to meet the U.S. Postal Service's requirement to be drug free. Applicants must also be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident alien status.

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#7 Posted : Saturday, January 7, 2012 9:52:13 PM(UTC)

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Im a Pse and former casual and career employee. I have been in both the mailhandler and clerk crafts. Here is my take and exp on the position.

PSE Service

-Work days

-No Holidays or Sundays

-Hours can very from 12-30s a week

-No night differential

-Most people fail the training

PSE Clerk in a Plant

-Work nights

-Hours in the 30s

-Night differential

-Work weekends and Holidays

Odds of getting a career poisiton in either are slim. I think based on what I said you have to look at what is more important to you. If its hours and pay work for a distribution center. If you are looking for a day shift and no holidays and dont need as many hours look at the service position. Again I think career wise either option is the same. It comes down to what works for you personally.

#8 Posted : Monday, January 9, 2012 4:39:58 AM(UTC)

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Getting in wrote:

Im a Pse and former casual and career employee. I have been in both the mailhandler and clerk crafts. Here is my take and exp on the position.

PSE Service

-Work days

-No Holidays or Sundays

-Hours can very from 12-30s a week

-No night differential

-Most people fail the training

PSE Clerk in a Plant

-Work nights

-Hours in the 30s

-Night differential

-Work weekends and Holidays

Can you please elaborate on this statement (fail training)?! What would cause one to fail?

#9 Posted : Monday, January 9, 2012 4:49:26 AM(UTC)

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Career SSAs, and I'm assuming PSEs also, are required to take a multiple choice test after the week of classroom SSA training.  People used to fail it regularly but it's been a long time since anyone failed it here.  If you made mid 80s on the 473, I don't think you'll have a problem.

You have to score 95% of 100 scheme items in 5 minutes if they give you a scheme, but they should give you mutliple chances on that.  You have to wait several months before taking the SSA exam again if you fail it.

TexasClk2012-01-11 12:22:16

#10 Posted : Monday, January 9, 2012 5:51:06 AM(UTC)

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Where I am about 75% of the PSE fail the window training for window clerk. If you fail your done unless they have a job for you in a plant that is if your even in a plant. This is from people who have failed and HR own mouth during orientation.

#11 Posted : Monday, January 9, 2012 8:41:10 AM(UTC)

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#12 Posted : Monday, January 9, 2012 10:35:04 AM(UTC)

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So you will be in SSA training right after the 2 days of orientation correct?And how long after will you actually start working at the post office?

#13 Posted : Tuesday, January 10, 2012 1:48:00 AM(UTC)

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I cross-crafted from city carrier to SSA in 2008. Of the 17 in our class 8 passed! Then the graduates go to 1 week of OJT training before you qualify. SSA-Window Clerk

#14 Posted : Tuesday, January 10, 2012 4:56:55 AM(UTC)

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I have the interview for one of these positions tomorrow morning. I've been in government contracting and federal employment over the last four years, but this is the first face-to-face interview I've had since September 2007. I'm pretty nervous. Anyone have some words of wisdom for me???Postal Steve2012-01-10 13:03:39

#15 Posted : Tuesday, January 10, 2012 5:26:08 AM(UTC)

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if its an interview for pse clerk its real easy..all they ask is employment background,give you more information about the job,and you have to initial certain things.there's nothing you need to worry about for the interview..just remain calm.

#16 Posted : Wednesday, January 11, 2012 1:11:16 AM(UTC)

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Well, I just had my interview for this position. I think you could actually call it a "meeting" more than "interview". There were two supervisory personnel present. One reviewed my application, the other showed me around. I was showed around out back where the mail is sorted and one of the supervisors tried explaining how things work, but I was pretty confused! The one reviewing my application later noted that I had disclosed a termination from an employer almost 6 years ago for tardiness, which he stressed would not be accepted at the post office. The hours were explained to me, stating that I could expect at least 22 hours a week at that specific post office in split shifts (a few in the AM and a few PM). I was also told that once I got the hang of things I could work the "in-between" time at other post offices that regularly call asking for manpower here and there. So, it's possible to get 30-40 hours if I'm willing to drive around. I was told that there were other veterans in the process and I would hear back either way tomorrow before afternoon. Overall, it was a neat experience.

The ONLY questions they asked me were:

1) What are YOUR expectations?

2) How can WE accommodate you if you have certain hobbies?

3) How many hours would you like?

4) Do you have any questions?

My only concerns were that the supervisors seemed conflicted in what position I applied to, and what work I would be primarily performing. One supervisor told me that I had applied to PSE Clerk, but I've seen PSE clerk posted, and this title was clearly "PSE Sales/Srvc Distribution Associate". He didn't seem to know what that was, and said I would be primarily working out back. The other supervisor later said that this position was 90% working the window. They both agreed the pay was $14.60 an hour. I'm excited to be considered for this job either way! Hoping for the best!

#17 Posted : Wednesday, January 11, 2012 4:16:07 AM(UTC)

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PostalSteve, SSDAs are clerks.  Kind of the same way all horses are mammals, but not all mammals are horses.  Adding the "distribution" designation to a Sales & Services Associate position just means they can add a scheme if they wish.  They can assign you any available clerk work which would include some mail processing or distribution or boxing mail.

#18 Posted : Wednesday, January 11, 2012 5:27:24 AM(UTC)

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Then why not call it "PSE Clerk" like in other vacancy announcements, instead of SSDA?

#19 Posted : Wednesday, January 11, 2012 5:32:49 AM(UTC)

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because officially clerks are either distribution clerks or sales/srvc distribution associates, not "clerks".

#20 Posted : Wednesday, January 11, 2012 6:16:04 AM(UTC)

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Postal Steve wrote:

Then why not call it "PSE Clerk" like in other vacancy announcements, instead of SSDA?

In the Qualification Standards, there is a PSE CLerk listed, but also PSE Sales & Svcs/Distribution Associate, PSE Mail Processing Clerk, etc.  I guess they can post it however they want.

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