Busted for pot once, can I still work @ US Postal Service?

Question

11 years ago when I was a teen, I was charged w/ possession of a small amt. of marijuana & paraphernalia. I'm now considering a job as a mail courier, but a friend told me they won't hire me because of that petty misdemeanor charge.

Anyone know if this is true?

Thanks in advance.

Was your uncle arrested and charged with possession of crack?

I was 19, so I don't think it's sealed.

Wow Barry, that's deep, man. Dude, like, whoa. Something to think about, indeed. Bite it, Barry.

If anything, the herb woulda kept me from going postal.

Answer 1

Absolutely. (I worked 30 years with the USPS and retired from Headquarters.)

I have worked with people who have had some questionable backgrounds a whole lot worse than some petty pot charge.

The Postal Service will fingerprint you and run an FBI background check on you. Keep this in mind when you fill out your application, and be honest about all your convictions.

Also, read the application carefully. They may have changed the wording. If you were charged but not convicted, then you can answer NO to the "have you been convicted?" question. If you were charged and convicted as a minor (under the age of 18), then you can also safely answer NO to the question. However, they may simply asked if you've ever been arrested. Don't lie. They fire application liars, and they won't hire thieves.

However, if you were 18 years of age or over, and you were charged and convicted, you must absolutely answer YES to the question. Having an arrest on your record does not automatically exclude you from federal service. LYING about this, however, will forever exclude you from federal service. (The agencies do share this type of information.)

So, go ahead and apply. You'll have to pass an entrance test anyways. You'll need to score at least a 95 or above to have any realistic chance of an employment interview. There are lots of disabled vets out there that get an additional 10 points because of their service to our country, so the highest possible grade is 110.

I got hired with a group of 187 purple heart vets, so I know it can be done. You'll have to really prep for the exam in order to score your highest. Don't pay any willy-nilly internet site to "help" you score higher. Simply get one of those books (usually available for about $25 or less) that will prep you for the clerk-carrier exam. Study diligently and do so way in advance of any test. The more you study and practice taking the exam, the higher your grade...it's that simple.

You'll also have to pass a pre-employment physical. Your body will be checked for track marks (IV drug abuse) and for other conditions that may be aggravated by your employment. You'll have to pass a drug screening test too. They do some fairly comprehensive screening so if you hang around people who smoke drugs, the chances are pretty good that you will show up positive even if you do not take any drugs.

If you can possibly snag a temporary job (89 days or less), do so AND do your absolute best at the work! It will make it much easier for you to get on in a permanent career job.

Good luck with your employment goals. Be honest. The only real charges that can absolutely, positively keep you out of the Postal Service are those involving theft. Lying on your application is a big no-no also.

Kathleen W.
Retired Technical Training Instructor
National USPS Center for Employee Development
Norman, OK

Answer 2

Unfortunately, they have that right to not hire you.....and they probably won't. A friend of mine applied to the US Postal Service and one of the questions was if they ever tried illegal drugs. They answered honestly and said yes but told them it had been 25+ years earlier. They were then told since they used illegal drugs....they did not qualify for employment with the US Postal Service and the application was denied. Since you were actually charged with the crime and were over the age to have your records sealed.....I would look elsewhere for employment.

Answer 3

All of you complaining about the "money pit" of the USPS are wrong. It has to exist. Mail MUST be sent, it is a critical national function at every level. Private companies can go out of business or cease offering services. The USPS can and should operate at a loss if it has to. It's the way it has to be.

Answer 4

If it was a misdemeanor conviction, it may not stop you. Theft is one of the only small crimes that will prevent hiring in the majority of places. Your conviction may put you lower on the list of hirees though.

Answer 5

It doesn't look good. The postal service is a government agency, and there are plenty of applicants who don't have drug convictions.

But go ahead and give it a try.

Answer 6

any charge while under 18 is not accessable by employers.

Apply
you might be the mellowist Postal employee in your town

Answer 7

If you were under 18, it may not be an issue.

Answer 8

if you were a teen it would come off your record. You can still get hired at the post office

Answer 9

Your record should be sealed.

Answer 10

There are plenty of applicants out there who never were busted for anything.
Something to think about, isn't it.?