Boynton Beach Career Milestones

L to R: Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins; Letter Carriers John Bernunzo, Jr., Francis Meehan, Gregory Logan, Jan O’Donnell, and Jayesh Patel; and Supervisor, Customer Services Edward Ayala, Jr. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

Recently, the following Boynton Beach Main Office Letter Carriers celebrated their career milestones:

Gregory Logan, 37 years

Jan O’Donnell, 37 years

John Bernunzo, Jr., 30 years

Francis Meehan, 30 years

Jayesh Patel, 25 years

Boynton Beach Postmaster LaConnia Watkins thanked each employee for their dedication to the organization and challenged them to many more years of service. Co-workers joined in the celebration.

“I have been blessed with a great team that shows dedication and pride on a daily basis," said Watkins.

Lights, Camera, Action! for TV Ads

The Postal Service is inviting employees to audition for a TV commercial that will debut this holiday season. No prior acting experience is required.

The commercial will showcase the Postal Service’s reliability and its “Priority: You” theme.

To audition, follow these steps:

·      Create an audition video. In the video, state your name, where you are from, your position at the Postal Service, how long you have worked for USPS, why you love your career and your favorite holiday-specific memory while working for the Postal Service.

·         Upload the video. Visit the USPS Holiday 2016 Employee Casting Site: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=37109b7d23054eb3949c5ecbe198c426 to upload your video. You will be asked to complete an online form and hit “Submit.” Video uploads are limited to 30 megabytes.

Submissions are due by Monday, September 12, at 12 p.m. EST. The
commercial will be filmed in late September.

All applicants must receive approval from their manager before selection and production begins.

Voting by Mail in Boynton Beach

Boynton Beach Main Office Lead Retail Associate Johana Maldonado (right)  accepts a Vote-by-Mail (absentee) ballot from a customer. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

From now until the November elections, employees can expect to see Vote-by-Mail (absentee) ballots in the mail. All ballots, except those bearing the indicia “US Postage Paid 39 USC 3406,” require postage. Nonetheless, some ballots will be shortpaid and some will contain no postage at all. It is critical that this mail is handled correctly to avoid any negative impact on election results or the Postal Service.

The willful delay of Vote-by-Mail (absentee) balloting material or other election material is a violation of policy, ethics and law. All employees must adhere to postal policy as follows:

• Shortpaid and unpaid Vote-by-Mail (absentee) balloting materials must never be returned to the voter for additional postage. Postage is collected from the election office upon delivery or at a later date. Do not delay delivery of balloting materials.
• Account for Vote-by-Mail absentee ballots with insufficient or no postage using existing procedures for Postage Due mail. Attempt to collect the postage due from the election office at the time of delivery. However, absentee ballots must be delivered even if the receiving election office refuses to pay.
• Military and overseas absentee ballots bearing indicia “US Postage Paid 39 USC 3406” are not shortpaid and no additional postage is needed. Refer to DMM 703.8.0.

Delivering the Brand in WPB

West Palm Beach A/Manager, Customer Service Operations (MCSO) Andy Moir (standing) addresses craft employees during a Deliver the Brand training session at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

West Palm Beach A/Manager, Customer Service Operations (MCSO) Andy Moir addresses craft employees during a Deliver the Brand training session at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center. 

 

Moir’s message to the employees was simple: “Always provide a positive experience for your customer.”

 

Moir focused on the retail customer experience and stressed on turning a negative experience into a positive one with a simple apology, smile, and a thank you to the customer. 

 

“We represent an iconic brand, and we depend on each and every one of you on a daily basis to deliver our brand,” Moir said.

Holiday P-O-P to Feature Employee

St. Louis Letter Carrier Eric Kazee is photographed for this year’s holiday point-of-purchase signage.

It’s never too early to get in the holiday mailing spirit.

Just ask St. Louis Letter Carrier Eric Kazee, who’ll be featured in this year’s holiday point-of-purchase (POP) lobby signage.

The signs will reflect this year’s holiday message, which is meant to inspire confidence in USPS products and services.

The holiday POP kits will be sent nationwide to more than 33,000 Postal Service retail units.

A large banner of Kazee scanning a package will also be hung at the Post Office outside of USPS headquarters in Washington DC.

Kazee, who was recently photographed for the signs, said his turn at being a model was harder work than he expected but worth it.

“This was unlike anything I’ve ever done, and I’m glad I had a chance to [be] part of something outside of my normal duties,” he said.

Source: LINK

Safely Operating a Portable Generator

If you own a portable generator, compliance with equipment operating procedures is critical to the safety and well-being of your family. Non-compliance with safety regulations and operating guidelines could result in the carbon monoxide poisoning of loved ones and extensive fire damage to your home. 

Employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the generator safety tips below so that they’re knowledgeable and are well prepared for hurricane season. 

Always operate a generator in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. 

To avoid being electrocuted, use heavy duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate to plug individual appliances into your generator. Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating allows. 

Never connect a generator to a wall outlet or to the electrical system in your home since that can cause damage to your equipment and can be a life-threatening danger to your family, neighbors, and repair crews. Always operate your generator outdoors on a level surface in a well-ventilated, dry area away from air intakes to your home. Your generator needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation so ensure that it has a minimum of three to four feet of spacing on all sides, including the top. An open door or window will allow dangerous exhaust fumes to enter your home. Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be lethal, good ventilation is critical.

Be sure to have adequate fuel for your generator and manage consumption by running for only a few hours at a time. Never add fuel to your generator when it is running, and always store additional fuel in approved gasoline containers.

If connecting a generator into your home wiring is necessary on a temporary basis, a transfer switch must be installed by a licensed electrician. A transfer switch permits the transfer of the load from the utility company power source that normally supplies power over to the portable generator. A transfer switch will isolate the circuits supplied by the generator. This transfer switch will prevent “backfeeding,” a term that refers to the inadvertent energizing of circuits in both systems. 

Backfeeding most commonly occurs when a generator is connected directly to the electric panel or circuit in a home. Feeding power into the utility system during an outage will energize the transformer. This could pose a serious threat to the power line and to the service crews who are unknowingly working with an energized line as they attempt to restore power to your home and your neighborhood.  

New MDD Adds Safety Features

Mobile Delivery Devices (MDDs) can scan packages and other mail. Did you also know the devices can perform several other safety-related tasks?
The latest MDD models can:

• Accept text messages. Supervisors use this feature regularly. Notably, it was used to warn letter carriers of civil unrest in Baltimore last year.
• Send “pre-populated” text messages. Employees can report accidents, vehicle damage and police and fire emergencies to their local office.
• Receive corporate communications. This feature is used to send weekly safety messages to all letter carriers.
• Generate GPS tracking. This feature allows carriers to view their routes and receive alerts for hazardous conditions.
• Offer directions. USPS can use MDDs to provide turn-by-turn directions for dynamic routes, eliminating the need for hardcopy directions. This feature is in the process of being rolled out to Sunday delivery hubs.
• Get hazard alerts. These alerts include potentially dangerous animals, hazardous road conditions, and other trip hazards.
• Receive Amber alerts. This feature is used to display and report sightings of missing children.

The new safety features are part of the Postal Service’s effort to improve overall employee safety.

Source: LINK

Margate Seeks Ad-Hoc Manager

Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola and Manager, Customer Service Operations Joe Croce invite EAS-20 and above employees, including EAS Leadership Development (ELD) participants, to apply for an ad-hoc position (not to exceed two years) as Manager, Customer Services EAS-22 at the Margate Branch, 4706 Coconut Creek Parkway, Margate, FL. Work hours will be 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday as non-scheduled days.


This position will be administratively and operationally responsible for 105 employees, including a managerial staff of four Supervisors, Customer Services. The Margate Branch includes two ZIP Codes --- 33063 (Margate) with 37 routes and 33068 (North Lauderdale) with 25 routes. There are three retail window stations.


DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES (Requirements):

1. Knowledge of postal operations in carrier stations, including delivery and collection, retail sales and service, mail distribution and dispatch, and Post Office Box services.
2. Knowledge of provisions of the national agreement as they apply to delivery operations.
3. Knowledge of management and budgeting techniques and principles.
4. Ability to manage the work of others in order to meet production and quality goals, including planning and scheduling, monitoring performance, facilitating the flow of information, and providing technical guidance.
5. Ability to coach and train subordinate supervisors in customer services and delivery operations.
6. Ability to implement and/or oversee programs in compliance with established safety policies and security procedures.
7. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of employee labor organizations.
8. Ability to communicate orally and in writing sufficient to investigate and resolve customer complaints, and to furnish information to community businesses and governmental agencies regarding postal services.

Employees must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the above eight requirements. All applications must be mailed and received by Close of Business Tuesday, September 6. Send applications to Joe Croce, Manager, Customer Service Operations, Pompano Beach Main Office, 2351 Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33069. 

CFO Corbett on 'Dollars and Change'

Joseph Corbett

Although USPS is growing its shipping business, the organization continues to face financial pressures from ongoing declines in First-Class Mail revenue, Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett reports in his latest “Dollars and Change” video.

To bridge the gap, Corbett says the Postal Service is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: innovating while continuing to push for reform legislation to address its challenges.

“We are committed to continuing to make progress,” he says.

The CFO also updates employees on the Postal Service’s financial results for the nine-month period that ended June 30. This period represents the first three quarters of the Postal Service’s fiscal year.

Corbett notes total revenue was $58 billion, up $1.5 billion from the same period one year earlier.

Growth in the shipping business helped lift revenue, although the growth was offset somewhat by declines in First-Class Mail and international mail.

Although USPS generated a net loss during the nine-month period, Corbett says the organization has sufficient cash to run its business, pay employees and suppliers, and continue meeting its service obligations.

He also encourages employees to remain “focused on running the business and serving our customers.”

Source: LINK

Updating Your Official Personnel File

It only takes one hurricane to realize the importance of having current information in your eOPF (electronic Official Personnel File).  If you already haven’t done so, now is a good time to update your information to ensure that your manager/supervisor can contact you in any emergency --- including the aftermath of a hurricane.

Here are five options:

www.liteblue.usps.gov

Go to www.liteblue.usps.gov.  On the welcome page, enter your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and Postal Identification Number (PIN).  In the middle of the next page, where you see Employee Apps – Quick Links, click on Change of Address to update your contact information.

Personnel Computer Kiosks

Use the personnel computer kiosks and look for a tab titled Present Job Info/Change of Address on the main webpage. 

Blue Page (USPS internal web page

All employees who have access to the Blue page may change their mailing and residential address and emergency contact information. To change your address from the Blue page:

 

1.   Select Log On from the upper left corner. 

2.   Log on with your ACE ID and password.
3.   Ensure the welcome screen has your name on it.
4.   Select the tab labeled My Life. Under this tab, on the right side of the page is the heading My Profile, where you will find two links titled Address/Phone and Emergency Contact.  Select Address/Phone.
5.   Select the Address type from the drop menu and click on the Change button.
6.   Make your desired change(s) and click on Save.

PS Form 1216, Employee’s Current Mailing Address 

Use a PS Form 1216, “Employee’s Current Mailing Address.”  Send Copy 1 of your completed form to HRSSC COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, PO BOX 970400, GREENSBORO NC  27497-0400.

HRSSC

Call the Human Resources Shared Service Center at 1-877-477-3273, and select Option 5.  Validate your identity with your Employee Identification Number (EIN) or Postal Identification Number (PIN).  Follow the prompts.

FEGLI Open Enrollment Coming Soon

The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI) will host an open enrollment period for the month of September. This is FEGLI’s first open enrollment in 12 years.

FEGLI provides group term life insurance for federal employees and retirees, as well as many of their family members.

Eligible postal employees can enroll and elect any available coverage.
This includes option C coverage on the lives of spouses and eligible dependent children younger than age 22.

Eligible employees also can increase coverage up to the maximum offered by the program.

Enrolled employees can cancel coverage, reduce coverage, or change beneficiaries at any time. Employees don’t need to wait until FEGLI open season to make these changes.

The FEGLI LiteBlue page has additional information.

Source: LINK

New 'Package Intercept' Alert

The U.S. Postal Service is making two improvements to Package Intercept, a service that allows customers to redirect shipments that haven’t been delivered or released for delivery.

Employees who use the Passive Adaptive Scanning System will now hear a louder sound when they scan a parcel that has been designated for interception.

This change took effect August 17.

Beginning September 30, employees who use Delivery Scheme-less Sortation machines will hear the alert and see the words “Package Intercept” displayed when a parcel designated for interception arrives. Previously, only the abbreviation “PI” appeared.

Source: LINK

Delray Beach Custodian Has 46 Years

Delray Beach Officer In Charge (OIC) Gilberto Vega (left) presented Custodian Eddie Simpson, Jr. (right), with a Service Award commemorating 46 years. Photo: Patricia Cusick

Today National Park Services is 100!

Today, the National Parks Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. Earlier this summer, the U.S. Postal Service held special dedications across the country, including in South Florida where District Manager Jeffery Taylor presented an enlargement of the Everglades stamp to officials at Everglades National Park. This beautiful stamp pane featuring 16 National Parks still are available at your local Post Office.

Garron Earns 30-Year Service Award

Surfside Branch A/Manager, Customer Services Jeanette Livingston (left) presented Letter Carrier Bob Garron (right) with his 35-year Service Award and Pin. Photo: Norma Vazquez

One Call Does It All: 1-888-363-7462

With the peak of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaching, now is a good time to ensure that you’re able to stay connected with the U.S. Postal Service during a weather emergency. Having the USPS National Employee Emergency Hotline number handy is an important part of hurricane preparations.

The USPS National Employee Emergency Hotline (1-888-EMERGNC or 1-888-363-7462) is the system the Postal Service uses in the event of an emergency. It’s the official source of information for weather issues, work schedule changes, and facility status.

The emergency hotline number is on the back of most employee badges. If your badge does not have the number, record it for future use in your mobile device, on a piece of paper, or on your home computer.

If you evacuate or relocate due to an emergency, call the hotline number, enter your facility ZIP Code and then press “5”.  You will be routed to an individual who can verify that you are in a safe environment. Those individuals will relay the employee information to District and Area leadership.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing and use Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), call a Florida TRS toll-free number, and the TRS operator will interact with the hotline application on your behalf.

FLORIDA TRS Provider – Sprint; Customer Service #:
1-800-955-8013 (V/T) 

Access #s: 1-800-955-8770 (V), 1-800-955-8771 (T), 1-877-955-5334 (STS)

Paulk Supervises at Hallandale PO

Sheila Paulk

Sheila Paulk has been promoted to Supervisor, Customer Services at the Hallandale Post Office.

During her 23-year career, Paulk has worked in the custodial field at the West Hollywood Branch and as a Letter Carrier, delivered mail from the Hallandale Post Office.

Prior to postal employment, Paulk served eight years in the U.S Army.

Paulk also earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Miami-Dade College. 

Customer Praises 'Goldie' to PMG

Sales and Services Associate Goldie Woods (right) of the Carl Fisher Branch in Miami Beach provides outstanding service to each of her customers --- and one of them wrote to the Postmaster General to commend her. Photo: Norma Vazquez

Dear Postmaster General Brennan,

As a self-employed entrepreneur, my wife is reliant upon the services of a company that can deliver frequent weekly packages. Over the last seven to eight years, we have been exclusively using the U.S.  Postal Service for the sole reason of this woman who is behind the desk and provides the attention and courteousness a customer deserves. 

At the Carl Fisher Post Office at 1661 West Ave in Miami Beach, FL, I have spent weekly encounters with a congenial woman I only know as Goldie, as her name tag indicates. I am embarrassed I do not know her last name, but after all this time, I feel a first name basis is appropriate anyway.  While the fate of this branch I believe is nearing an end, as well as Goldie mere years away from retirement, but I must inform you the experiences I have had weekly over the last few years has been enjoyable because of Goldie’s mannerisms and professionalism. I have often held packages in the very rare occasions I see another employee, only to return the next day when Goldie was behind the counter.

I write this after dropping off six large boxes and spending $90.69 when I easily could have used FedEx or UPS, but I chose to drive to this location for the sole reason to be assisted by Goldie.I have spent thousands (with records to prove) each year visiting this branch solely because the feeling Goldie leaves me with after dropping off my many packages.

Thank you,

Michael Palladino

Calling All Retirees! USPS Extends Holiday Hiring Deadline to Sept. 11

Do you know a postal retiree who would like to make some extra money for the holidays?  If so, help spread the word about this exciting opportunity.

The deadline to apply for Holiday Clerk Assistant (HCA) in the South Florida District has been extended to September 11, 2016.  Interested annuitants should follow these instructions:

·            Open a web browser and type www.usps.com/careers
·            Under USPS Account, click “Search Now”
·            In the keywords field, type “Annuitant” exactly as shown
·            Select the “State” to narrow your search results
·            Click “Start” to display jobs
·            In the “Summary of Accomplishments” section, list your work location preference(s)

It’s never too early to start planning for our busiest time of year. Reemploying retired postal employees helps the Postal Service, the annuitant, and especially our customers, who gain the benefit of the experience and knowledge of our postal retirees. Encourage retirees you know to apply today and help us be ready for our special time of the year.

Bullard Earns 40-Year Service Award

Miami Beach, FL, Main Office Manager, Customer Services Alvin Godwin (left) presented Letter Carrier Bertha Bullard (right) with her 40-year Service Award and Pin.

Bullard began her career in the Detroit Bulk Mail Center in 1976. In 1993, Bullard transferred as a Letter Carrier to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Branch in Miami, FL.

In 1996, she began delivering mail from Miami Beach’s Surfside Branch, and in 2011, moved to the Miami Beach, FL, Main Office.

Bullard has been recognized by her peers and customers throughout her postal career.

Photo: Norma Vazquez

Holder is Promoted at Everglades PO

Atty Holder

Atty Holder has a smile for her employees and her customers.

Holder has been promoted to Supervisor, Customer Services, at the Everglades Branch in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

She joined the U.S. Postal Service as a Letter Carrier in 2007 and was an acting supervisor for several years before her promotion in June 2016. 

Prior to postal employment, Holder served four years in the U.S. Army. She also has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Psychology at Kaplan University.

Reed is New Hollywood Postmaster

Phyllis Reed

South Florida District Manager Jeffery Taylor has announced that Phyllis Reed is the new Hollywood Postmaster. Reed becomes the first African American and female to achieve this Hollywood position. Reed had been Hollywood Officer In Charge since January 2015.
 

As Postmaster, Reed is administratively and operationally responsible for 535 employees working at Chapel Lakes Branch, Flamingo Branch, Hillcrest Postal Store, Hollywood Main Office, Miramar Branch, Pembroke Pines Branch, South Florida Retail Unit, University Postal Store, and West Hollywood Hills Station.
 

Reed was hired as a Christmas casual employee in November 1975, and the following August, was selected for a career position at the Delray Beach, FL, Post Office. In November 1982, Reed was promoted to Postmaster, Moore Haven, FL. From 1985 to 1992, she was Supervisor, Delivery Operations, West Palm Beach ZIP Code Place Carrier Annex, and in September 1993, was promoted to Manager, Customer Services at this location. In 1995, Reed was  promoted to Manager, Customer Services at the Haverhill, FL, Branch. In 2003, she was awarded the position of Manager, Customer Service Operations for City Delivery, West Palm Beach, FL. The following year, Reed was promoted to Postmaster, Delray Beach, FL, her hometown.

Reed has held numerous detailed positions including Manager, Post Office Operations, West Palm Beach, FL; Manager, Customer Services, Palms West Branch and Palm Beach Gardens Station; Officer In Charge, Pompano Beach, FL; A/Plant Manager, South Florida Processing and Distribution Center; Intervention Team Champion and Street Supervision Champion. 

Reed attended Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL, and is a graduate of the Postal Service’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP).
 

“Phyllis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position,” said Taylor. “Please join me in wishing her continued success in her career.”


Photo: Alex Sepulveda

Mitchell Accepts New PCC Role

West Palm Beach Supervisor, BMEU Connie Mitchell is the secretary, Postal Customer Council of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast. Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

West Palm Beach Supervisor, Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) Connie Mitchell has been named secretary to the Postal Customer Council (PCC) of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast.

Mitchell began her postal career as a clerk in 1989. In 2007, she became a Bulk Mail Technician and was trained as a Periodicals Professional in 2011.

In 2014, Mitchell was promoted to her current supervisory position at the BMEU housed in the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center.

The Postal Service appreciates her dedication and commitment to the organization. All mailers will tell you that she is very knowledgeable on postal standards and Mailing Requirements, as well as products and services. 

Mitchell has been very active with the PCC, facilitating educational presentations for the membership and the mailing industry.