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Job Summary: City Carrier Assistant (CCA) 1 – Colorado Springs

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is hiring City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) for the Colorado Springs Post Office. This is a non-career, 360-day term position that serves as the primary stepping stone to a permanent, career-track role. As a CCA, you are the face of the USPS in the community, responsible for the delivery and collection of mail and packages across city routes. This role is physically demanding, requiring you to navigate various terrains on foot or by vehicle, often in the high-altitude and rapidly changing weather conditions characteristic of the Pikes Peak region.

Key Responsibilities

Mail Preparation: Sort, lift, and push moderate to heavy loads of mail and parcels to organize your assigned route for the day.
Delivery & Collection: Deliver mail accurately to residential and business addresses; collect outgoing mail and packages from customers.
Financial Transactions: Collect postage due for “Charge on Delivery” (COD) or other specialized postal services.
Customer Relations: Maintain a professional and helpful demeanor during customer interactions, providing basic information on postal products and regulations.
Compliance: Adhere to all postal laws and safety regulations to ensure the security of the mail and your own well-being on the route.

Required Qualifications & Eligibility

Physical Stamina: Ability to walk for extended periods and handle heavy mail loads in all weather conditions (rain, snow, heat, and cold).
Background Check: Must undergo a 10-year criminal background inquiry.
- Note: Candidates must have resided in the U.S. or its territories for the last 10 years, with limited exceptions for U.S. Citizens working for the government, missionaries, or students abroad.
Suitability: Employment is conditional upon meeting medical suitability and general eligibility requirements, including a drug screen and driving record review.

Compensation & Benefits

Term: 360-day term with the possibility of reappointment and eventual conversion to a career position.
Pay Increases: Competitive hourly rates with scheduled raises per the NALC National Agreement.
Leave: Paid leave accrual at a rate of 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.
Holidays: Paid holiday leave for 6 major holidays.
Health Insurance:
- Immediate Eligibility: Access to the USPS Health Benefit (USPSHB) Plan with a $125 bi-weekly postal premium contribution toward “Self Only” coverage.
- Family Coverage: USPS contributes 75% of the total premium for CCAs participating in the USPS Plan for self, self-plus-one, or family coverage.
Advanced Benefits: Upon reappointment to a second term, you become eligible for FEHB health insurance, dental (FEDVIP), vision, and flexible spending accounts (FSAFEDS).

Market & Industry Context: Delivering in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs (elevation ~6,035 ft) presents unique operational challenges for mail carriers.

High-Altitude Physicality: The thinner air requires a higher level of cardiovascular fitness for walking routes. Carriers must stay hydrated and be prepared for the physical toll of high-altitude labor.
Rapid Weather Shifts: The “Front Range” is known for sudden afternoon thunderstorms in the summer and heavy, wet snow in the spring/winter. A CCA in Colorado Springs must be a master of “layering” their uniform to stay safe and dry.
Growth Hub: Colorado Springs remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. For a CCA, this means new routes are constantly being added, which often accelerates the timeline for conversion to a permanent “Career City Carrier” position.

Career Growth & Progression Path

The CCA role is designed as a developmental path:

CCA 1: Learning the “craft” of delivery, mastering different routes, and building seniority.
Career Conversion: Based on seniority and office needs, CCAs are converted to Career City Carriers, unlocking full federal retirement benefits (FERS), the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with matching, and increased job security.
Specialization: Opportunities to become a T-6 (Carrier Technician) overseeing five different routes or moving into postal management.

Interview & Application Insights

The “Virtual Assessment”: Most USPS applicants must pass a virtual entry assessment (often Exam 474). Focus on consistency and professional reliability in your answers.
Availability: USPS operations run 7 days a week. CCAs are frequently required to work weekends and holidays (especially for Amazon/Parcel delivery). Emphasizing your flexibility during the interview is crucial.
Safety Mindset: During the interview, mention your commitment to safe driving and situational awareness. The Postal Service prioritizes carriers who can complete their routes without accidents or injuries.

Work Environment

Indoors/Outdoors: Your morning will be spent in the station (indoor sorting), while the majority of your shift is spent outdoors on your route.
Physical Demands: You will be lifting, pushing, and pulling mail containers, and potentially walking several miles a day with a mail satchel.

Community Impact: You provide a “critical service,” ensuring that medications, legal documents, and personal correspondence reach your neighbors regardless of the weather.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	United States Postal Service (USPS)
Location	Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Appointment	Non-career 360-day term (Possibility of reappointment)
Career Path	High potential for promotion to full-time Career City Carrier
Schedule	Weekdays, weekends, and holidays required

Operational Scope & Physical Demands

The CCA is a high-activity role that serves as the “last mile” of the postal network. You are responsible for the physical sorting, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages in a city environment.

Functional Area	Actionable Tasks
Pre-Delivery	Sorting, lifting, and pushing moderate to heavy loads of mail to organize the route.
Delivery	Navigating an assigned route on foot or by vehicle in all weather conditions (snow, heat, rain).
Financials	Collecting postage due for “Charge on Delivery” (COD) or other specialized services.
Customer Service	Maintaining professional relations and providing information on postal laws and products.
Collection	Picking up outgoing mail and packages from residents and businesses.

Mandatory Eligibility & Background Standards

Medical: Must meet medical suitability for strenuous physical labor.
Residency (Strict): Must have resided in the U.S. or its territories for the preceding 10 years.
- Exceptions: U.S. Citizens living abroad as military/government dependents, missionaries, students, or Peace Corps participants.
Screening: Must pass an Inspection Service criminal background check including FBI fingerprints.
Status: Employment is conditional; an offer can be revoked if suitability requirements aren’t met during initial work.

Total Rewards & CCA Benefits

Benefit Type	Details
Paid Leave	Accrued at 1 hour for every 20 hours worked.
Health (Year 1)	Immediate eligibility for USPSHB Plan; bi-weekly employer contribution of 75% of the premium (all coverage tiers).
Health (Year 2+)	Eligible for FEHB (Federal Employees Health Benefits) after reappointment.
Additional Ins.	Eligible for Dental/Vision (FEDVIP) and Long-Term Care (FLTCIP) upon second appointment.
Pay Increases	Periodic raises determined by the NALC National Agreement.

Comparison: Colorado Springs High-Activity Roles

Metric	USPS City Carrier (CCA)	Surepoint Instrument Tech	Soldotna Police (AK Comparison)
Primary Skill	Logistics / Physical Stamina	Calibration / Precision	Public Safety / Judgment
Environment	Outdoor (Colorado Weather)	Industrial / Field	Municipal / Patrol
Job Stability	Federal (Union Protected)	Project-Based / ESOP	Municipal Pension
Barrier to Entry	10-Yr U.S. Residency	Journeyman License (Pref)	21+ Years Old / PAT Test
Key Perk	Career Promotion Track	Performance Ownership	$15,000 Signing Bonus

Strategic Considerations for Candidates

Colorado Springs features unique topography and weather patterns (e.g., rapid temperature shifts and high altitude). Being a “self-starter” who enjoys working without direct supervision is critical, as you will be alone on your route for the majority of your shift.

Pro-Tip: If you are a veteran, check your eligibility for Wounded Warrior leave, as it is explicitly supported in this role’s benefits package.

To apply for this job please visit about.usps.com.