Usps Orientation In 2024: The Complete New Hire Experience

Congratulations on making it to the final step of the USPS hiring process – orientation! Out of the nearly 100,000 new hires trained annually, you worked hard to stand out. Now it‘s time to learn what awaits at orientation.

In 2024, USPS orientations will span 3-5 days of paid training. You‘ll attend virtual and in-person sessions to learn postal procedures, safety, ethics, driving skills, and job-specific tasks. It‘s a jam-packed orientation that thoroughly prepares you for duty.

Read on for a detailed look at what to expect during orientation and how to make the most of it.

What Exactly Happens At USPS Orientation?

USPS orientation immerses new hires in all things postal through a mix of classroom and hands-on training. Here‘s an in-depth look at the activities each day holds:

Day 1

The first day eases you in with virtual onboarding sessions. These are completed individually online prior to your in-person training. They cover basics like:

• USPS history, mission, and values
• Organizational structure and key terminologies
• Employee rights and responsibilities
• Payroll, leave, and benefits overviews

Spending 1-2 hours on these modules lets you hit the ground running on day 1.

Once at the training facility, you’ll join your orientation group. Activities typically involve:

-Welcoming remarks from the Postmaster General (via video)

• Meet-and-greet with your orientation leader
• In-depth USPS ethics and compliance training
• Videos on postal workplace policies, safety, and diversity

You‘ll also complete any outstanding hiring paperwork and get your USPS employee ID badge photo taken.

Day 2

Expect another 5-8 hours of classroom time on day 2. The focus is postal operations, roles, and safety:

• Overview of how mail moves through the USPS system
• Functions of different operating units like delivery, retail, mail processing, etc.
• Introduction on unions and bargaining units
• Safety training like avoiding dog bites during delivery
• Proper lifting, pulling, and pushing techniques to prevent injuries
• Defensive driving overview (more on day 3)

Day 3

Classroom time on day 3 dives into defensive driving strategies over 4-6 hours:

• Familiarizing with different mail delivery vehicles
• Performing vehicle inspections
• Rules of the road
• Backing up and parking techniques
• Accident avoidance

You‘ll also learn about loading vehicles for optimal efficiency and safety.

The afternoon of day 3 brings the highly anticipated USPS driving test. You‘ll navigate a course in an LLV while:

• Approaching, delivering, and picking up mock mailboxes
• Driving forward through tight spaces
• Reversing into loading docks
• Parallel parking

Don‘t stress – with the classroom training, over 90% of new hires pass on their first try.

Day 4

The final orientation day is the shadow day. You‘ll be paired with a current employee to observe their workday. Shadowing might involve:

• Watching them load and organize their vehicle
• Riding along to deliver mail and packages
• Seeing how they handle issues out on the route
• Asking them questions about the job

After shadowing, you may have time to practice skills hands-on like loading trays of mail into a vehicle.

This behind-the-scenes view gets you comfortable with your future responsibilities. One new mail handler said it was their favorite orientation day:

“Following a supervisor for the day let me see what my actual duties would be. It made everything I learned feel more real."

Day 5 (Some Locations Only)

A fifth day of orientation is sometimes needed to complete:

• Any remaining hiring tasks
• Additional job-specific training
• Make-up defensive driving or shadow days
• Driving retests if needed

Spending this extra day ensures you check every box before starting on-the-job training.

Recommended Attire For USPS Orientation

Take care when dressing for orientation. Postal employees are highly visible to the public, so professional standards apply.

Here are do‘s and don‘ts for USPS orientation attire:

Aim for business casual. You‘ll make a professional first impression while staying comfortable during long training days.

What Comes After Orientation?

Finishing orientation means completing the final hiring hurdle. Within 1-2 weeks after your last day, you‘ll begin job-specific training such as:

• Carrier academy for mail carriers to master delivery methods
• Retail training for clerks to learn postal products, services, and transactions
• Mail processing training for handlers to gain proficiency in sorting mail by route

This position training lasts 2+ weeks. Once complete, you‘ll begin your regular work schedule.

Where Do USPS Orientations Take Place?

USPS relies on a network of 85 District Administrative Offices (DADOs) to handle new hire training.

Your orientation will take place at the DADO nearest your duty station. Most facilities can handle 25-50 trainees simultaneously.

You‘ll receive your reporting location and start time in your orientation invitation. Just follow your DADO‘s check-in procedures when you arrive.

Is Orientation Paid? What About Expenses?

USPS pays employees for all time spent in orientation. You‘ll complete timekeeping forms daily to document your hours.

You‘ll also be reimbursed for mileage, parking fees, and tolls incurred for orientation travel.

Saving your gas receipts and toll invoices is recommended. These are submitted with your expense report at the end of orientation.

How To Have A Successful USPS Orientation

Here are some tips for making the most of your orientation experience:

• Review the USPS Employee Handbook in advance
• Bring snacks and water since lunch breaks are short
• Participate actively in sessions
• Take ample notes you can refer back to
• Ask questions of leadership – don‘t leave unsure
• Meet and exchange contact info with fellow trainees
• Stay positive! This is just the start of an amazing postal career

Before you know it, orientation will wrap up and you‘ll be out delivering mail or helping customers. With hard work and dedication, you have a lifetime of service ahead of you. Congratulations, and welcome to the USPS!