When can I bid on Career Rural Carrier?

Question

I just got a job as RCA (rural carrier associate) and I was told by supervisors that I may not be a Career RCA (with benefits) until one or more year later, depending on how fast the area growth (very high growth, with more new subdivision being built). When can I bid on Career RCA - now or wait until my supervisor notify me? How does it work?

Answer 1

I was an HCR for a number of years and became somewhat familiar with how the RCA's worked. So my info may not be 100% accurate.

It works similar to the regular carriers - based on seniority, availability of a route, and open bidding. It's my understanding that when a regular route becomes available it has to be put out for 'bid' by all interested RCA's. Unfortunately, the Postal Service still goes by seniority rather than job performance in the awarding of routes so if a more senior RCA applies for an open route that you are also interested in, it's 99% guaranteed that the senior carrier will get the route.

You would get better information by visiting the National Rural Letter Carrier's Association website to find the information on how route bidding is done according to regulation.

Answer 2

Hi, I am a regular rural carrier, and when I first started to work for the post office, I did some research about the same question you're asking, so I'm going to tell you how it goes.
you must have worked for at least a year as an RCA before you get a job as a PTF (part time flexible) and then all the ptf's can bid on a route only when it opens for bid.
The PTF with the most seniority gets the route.
So the 1 year waiting period is only to get a PTF job. Not to get a route.
However, if there is no PTF's available, then you can bid for the route only if you've worked for at least the 1 year as an RCA.

Answer 3

Usps Job Bidding