Customized Solutions

For Sending

The Postal Service is uniquely qualified to deliver the holidays – it has a variety of customized solutions designed specifically to make SENDING holiday packages easy. Customers may…

« Get free Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes and envelopes in Post Offices or at usps.com/freeboxes.

« Use self-service kiosks located in larger Post Office locations to weigh, pay postage and deposit packages.

« Use Click-N-Ship online at usps.com/ship to create shipping labels with USPS Tracking and pay for postage — use Flat Rate shipping products to avoid weighing.

« Get their packages picked up for free with Package Pickup. Just hand your package to the mail carrier on his or her regular delivery route or pickups can be scheduled at usps.com/pickup. 

 

For Receiving

The Postal Service is uniquely qualified to deliver the holidays – with a variety of customized solutions designed specifically to make RECEIVING holiday packages easy. With USPS Informed Delivery, customers may …

« Sign up for free services and customize the delivery of their package at informeddelivery.com.

« Receive text messages or email alerts notifying them that a package is en route and additional notifications when the package has been delivered;

« Provide delivery instructions online and authorize the carrier to leave the package in a specific location.

« Request the package be held at the Post Office, by choosing the Hold for Pickup option.

« Redirect packages when they won’t be home to receive it, by choosing the USPS Package Intercept option for an additional fee. 

Open Season to Close in 8 Days

As a reminder, Open Season, your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to your health coverage or choose a new plan, is available through December 11.

• All employees should review their coverage. The Postal Service encourages you to evaluate your options to ensure you have the coverage you need without paying for services you don’t.

• Several options are available. Employees can choose from a variety of health, vision and dental coverage through the Federal Employees Health Program (FEHB), USPS Health Benefits Plan (USPSHB) for non-career employees, Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

• You can explore your options online. Log onto https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/elections/openseason.shtml to review your health plan and find out what’s available. You can compare multiple plans through an online guide, Checkbook’s Guide to Health Plans, at https://liteblue.usps.gov/humanresources/benefits/elections/select-right-plan.shtml.

• You can make changes online, too. To enroll or change coverage in FEHB or USPSHB, go to PostalEASE  or call 877-477-3273 (select option 1). Some facilities also offer self-service kiosks that allow you to change your coverage. Use the Benefeds site to enroll or make changes to your FEDVIP coverage and the FSA Feds site to enroll in FSAs.

• Help is available. For assistance, call the HR Shared Service Center at 877-477-3273 (select option 5). The TTY number is 866-260-7507.

Lake Worth SSDA Retires

On Thursday, November 30, Lake Worth Main Office employees celebrated the retirement of Sales and Services/Distribution Associate Craig Evans (in blue shirt). Evans retired with 37 years of postal service. Lake Worth Officer In Charge (OIC) Lori Giordano congratulated Evans and wished him the best of luck in his retirement. Photo: Lori Giordano

How to Prevent a Shipping Glitch

 
¯  Select a durable box to protect the contents. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes are free at local Post Offices.

¯  Do NOT reuse mailing boxes – they weaken in the shipping process.

¯  Properly address packages. Include both “to” and “from” information and only on one side.

¯  Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information (ex: 123 S Main St. Apt. 2B).

¯  Never guess a ZIP Code. Look up a ZIP Code at usps.com under Quick Tools. NO ZIP is better than a WRONG ZIP.

¯  Pay attention to batteries. In general, batteries should be securely packaged in the manufacturer’s original packaging. Items shipped with batteries installed and tick, vibrate or make noises during transportation can be delayed due to security concerns. Lithium batteries are hazardous materials and are restricted by type, quantity and battery strength. Information about shipping batteries, including lithium batteries, is in Publication 52, Section 349.22.

¯  Leave space for extra cushioning inside and stuff glass and fragile, hollow items, like vases, with newspaper or packing material to avoid damage. When mailing framed photographs, take the glass out of the frame and wrap it separately.

¯  Place a card inside the package with delivery and return addresses. This helps postal employees deliver the item should the mailing label become damaged or fall off.

Informed Delivery: 'Yule' Love It!

St. Nick isn’t the only one delivering surprises this holiday season.

Informed Delivery is allowing consumers to see what’s coming to their mailbox before it arrives.

“Informed Delivery is the perfect solution for mailing greeting cards this holiday season ahead of time,” said Product Innovation Vice President Gary Reblin. “See what’s coming soon to your mailbox before it’s actually delivered and manage your packages, too — conveniently posted on your mobile phone, tablet or computer.”

Almost seven million people are enrolled in Informed Delivery, which has been well received by users. In a recent survey, 95 percent of users said they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the free feature.

Residential consumers can use Informed Delivery to receive digital previews of their incoming, letter-sized mailpieces through an online dashboard and email notifications.

The Postal Service recently began inviting PO Box customers to sign up for the feature. Additionally, Informed Delivery will soon add package notifications to the daily digest emails.

Employees can sign up for the feature at informeddelivery.usps.com. Sign-up is voluntary and must be completed off the clock.

More information is available from the Informed Delivery sites on Blue, LiteBlue and usps.com.

Source: LINK

Pompano Beach OIC Seeks Ad-Hoc Manager, Customer Services EAS-20

If you’d like to broaden your postal horizons, Pompano Beach Officer In Charge (OIC) Joe Croce has an Ad-Hoc opportunity that may be of interest to you. If you’re a motivated individual with exceptional knowledge of rural route operations, consider an indefinite detail assignment as Manager, Customer Services, EAS-20, at the Coconut Creek Branch, 4233 W Hillsboro Blvd, Coconut Creek, FL 33073-9998.

 

All qualified career and non-career postal employees in the South Florida District and who reside within 50 miles of the reporting office are eligible to apply. The successful applicant will report to the Coconut Creek Branch and will have overall responsibility for its 36 rural routes and a detached finance unit. Two Supervisors, Customer Services will report to the Ad-Hoc Manager, Customer Services.

Non-Scheduled Days:   Saturday/Sunday       Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Manages the delivery and collection services, dispatch, mail distribution, window services, and the processing or sale of non-postal products activities of a very large carrier station.
2. Manages certain postal operations extending beyond the normal delivery area which may include Parcel Post delivery, collections, and distribution.
3. Manages a very large workforce; may have a medium-size to large supervisory staff composed of general and specific functional area supervisors.
4. Determines staffing requirements based on planned mail volume; plans tour work schedules; adjusts workforce schedules as necessary to meet variances in actual mail volumes.
5. Reviews and analyzes production reports and evaluates them against predetermined targets for work hour output; makes corrections in inefficient operations; resolves other operational and administrative programs.
6. Provides data for annual budget planning; controls operating costs within budget allocations or justifies over expenditures.
7. Approves employee overtime, leave, and vacation schedules; evaluates employee performance; reviews and approves personnel actions; ensures that needed training of supervisors and their subordinates is provided.
8. Ensures that building and equipment and vehicles (if assigned) are maintained, and makes recommendations for changes.
9. Observes the physical plant and operations for hazards to employee safety and takes necessary action to provide a safe working environment; reviews accident reports and investigates industrial or vehicle accidents.
10. Ensures that all necessary accounting and administrative functions are performed and that reports are prepared and submitted as required.
11. Conducts route inspections; evaluates and makes minor adjustments to delivery routes to conform to changes in volume, patronage, and building management.
12. Recommends changes in the establishment, discontinuance, and location of collection boxes.
13. Ensures adequate requisitioning of and remittances for a very large supply of accountable paper. May provide accountable paper distribution service for other stations.
14. Makes special arrangements for delivery and collection of mail through consultation with high volume customers and assists commercial mailers in order to eliminate inefficiencies and correct mailing problems.
15. Consults with representatives of employee organizations regarding labor/management problems not resolved by subordinate supervisors.
16. Recommends and implements changes to local postal policy and procedures.
17. Oversees the maintenance of security procedures for the station.
18. Represents the Post Office within the area served by the station regarding public inquiries, claims and complaints.
19. Consults with representatives of large businesses and governmental agencies regarding issues of mutual concern; consults with building managers regarding changes of mail receptacles, delivery patterns, or tenants; contacts lessor regarding building repairs.
20. Exercises a normal regard for the safety of self and others with particular emphasis on compliance with established policies and procedures.
 
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
1. Knowledge of management and budgeting techniques and principles.
2. Knowledge of postal operations in carrier stations including delivery and collection, retail sales and service, mail distribution and dispatch, and Post Office Box services.
3. Knowledge of provisions of the national agreement as they apply to delivery operations.
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.
 
How to Apply:
Interested employees must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the above eight requirements. All applications should be mailed to the below address for receipt by Close of Business (COB) Monday, December 11, 2017:
 
Joe Croce
Officer In Charge, Pompano Beach
U.S. Postal Service
Pompano Beach Main Office
2351 W Atlantic Blvd
Pompano Beach, FL 33069-9998

Alzheimer's Stamp Available Today

Today at 10 a.m., Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan J. Brennan will dedicate the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp at Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center Atrium in Baltimore, MD.

The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp, available nationwide November 30, will be sold for 60 cents, which includes the First-Class single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase plus an amount to fund Alzheimer’s research.         
   
The artwork is an illustration that first appeared on the 2008 42-cent Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp. It shows an older woman in profile with a caring hand on her shoulder with the suggestion of sunlight behind her and clouds in front of and below her. On the 2008 stamp, she was facing left; the artwork for this stamp shows her facing right to help differentiate between the two stamps.

The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell semipostal fundraising stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ Under the program, the Postal Service intends to issue five semipostal fundraising stamps over a 10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two years. The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp is the first and will be followed by a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) semipostal stamp to be issued in 2019. The following three discretionary semipostal stamps have not yet been determined. 

Under the Act, the Postal Service will consider proposals for future semipostals until May 20, 2023. The Federal Register notice is posted at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-04-20/pdf/2016-09081.pdf.   

Proposals will only be considered if they meet all submission requirements and selection criteria. They may be submitted by mail to Office of Stamp Services, Attn: Semipostal Discretionary Program, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, RM 3300, Washington, DC 20260–3501.

Suggestions may also be submitted in a single Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file sent by email to semipostal@usps.gov. Indicate in the Subject Line: Semipostal Discretionary Program.

There are currently two semipostal stamps available for sale that has been mandated by Congress. These are the Breast Cancer Research semipostal which has raised more than $86.1 million and the Save Vanishing Species semipostal which has raised more than $4.3 million as of September 2017.