Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
USPS OIG
Employment
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Why is the United States Postal Office of Inspector General an organization that I would be interested in working for?
You would have pride fighting waste, fraud, and misconduct for the second largest government organization that virtually serves every American every day with effective mail service. Conducting investigations and audits will be varied, fulfilling, and exciting. We offer federal locality pay, flexible work schedules, telework, state of the art technology, ongoing professional development, a government-backed pension plan, and numerous other unique benefits.
What are the unique benefits in the OIG?
How do I contact your agency for employment opportunities?
There are many ways to contact us. Please refer to our contact page to view the specific methods.
Are there career opportunities in the OIG for students?
Yes, the Student Cooperative Program and the Intern Program. These programs are designed to build relationships between the USPS OIG and academic institutions and provide students with possible job opportunities for future USPS OIG employment. For more information, visit our employment page
Does the OIG offer additional benefits?
Yes, please view the chart on the right side of your screen.
If I am hired with the USPS OIG, will I be eligible to apply for competitive service positions?
In accordance to section 1006 of title 39, United States Code, Postal Service employees serve under excepted appointments. They do not acquire competitive status or reinstatement eligibility for competitive service jobs. However, by law, they have special noncompetitive appointment eligibility for competitive service jobs. For the further information, go to www.usajobs.gov/EI29.asp
Is there a age requirement for Special Agent positions in the OIG?
Yes. The minimum age of entry is 21 years old and the maximum age is 37 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits
The health benefits program provides excellent coverage and flexibility, many plans to choose from, pre-tax premiums and we pay a percentage of the cost for the insurance. Our health benefit plan does not require a waiting period for coverage. For more information, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp.
Life insurance is offered through the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. It is a term life insurance policy which can be purchased through payroll deduction. FEGLI offers basic life insurance coverage equal to an employee's annual basic salary rounded up to the next $1,000 plus $2,000. If basic coverage is elected, employees may also elect three types of Optional insurance: (1) Option A-Standard, for $10,000; (2) Option B-Additional, up to five times their annual basic salary after rounding to the next $1,000, and (3) Option C-Family for spouse and eligible dependent children, up to five multiples of coverage. Each multiple is equal to $5,000 ($25,000 maximum) for the death of a spouse and $2,500 ($12,500 maximum) for the death of each eligible dependent child. For more information visit, http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp.
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan which is similar to a 401(k) in the private industry. The Federal Employees Retirement Plan (FERS) allows employees to receive the agency automatic (1%) and matching contributions up to 5% of their pay. CSRS employees and FERS employees are allowed to contribute up to the IRS maximum limit -- $16,500 for 2009. For more information, visit www.tsp.gov.
TSPCU are tax-deferred catch-up contributions available to TSP participants who are at least age 50 or older. For 2009, the IRS maximum limit is $5,500 . For more information, visit www.tsp.gov.
There are two separate retirement systems, the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) for employees who were hired before 12-31-83 or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for employees hired after 12-31-83. CSRS employees are not subject to social security deductions. FERS is a three-tier retirement plan (Social Security Benefits, Basic Benefit Plan and the Thrift Savings Plan). For more information about FERS benefits visit, http://www.opm.gov/retire and http://www.ssa.gov.
The Postal Service offers a Health Care FSA and a Dependent Care FSA which is tax deductible. Employees may participate in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program after completing 26 full pay periods of Postal Service career service employment. The contributions are tax-free and can be used for health-care expenses up to $5,000 or dependent care expenses up to $5,000.
The Long-Term Care Insurance Program (LTCIP) provides long term care insurance for employees and eligible family members, including parents. Pre-existing medical conditions may prevent a new employee from being approved for coverage. For more information visit http://www.ltcfeds.com.
Full-time employees earn four hours per pay period, 13 days (104) hours per leave year. Part time employees leave on a pro-rata basis depending upon the part-time work schedule.
Employees may use up to 80 hours of sick leave per year to care for a family member (son, daughter, spouse or parents) with an illness injury.
Employees receive 10 days of paid holiday each year. There are ten (10) holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
Our Pay-for Performance program is a merit-based pay program. Career employees must be on board at least 90 days to be eligible to participate in PFP.
Our pay banding system allows compensation that will attract and retain highly qualified and capable personnel. It allows flexibility for pay increases without step increases. For more information on the General Service pay schedule, visit http://www.opm.gov/oca/09tables/index.asp.
The annual leave-sharing program provides career employees the opportunity to receive and use donated annual leave and to donate their annual leave to another employee for serious health conditions.
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