Postal Inspector Jobs: Requirements, Outlook and Duties

To become a postal inspector, candidates must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 36.5 years when beginning their appointment. Applicants must have received at least a four-year degree from an accredited college or university. They must meet physical requirements, including height and weight standards, and pass visual, hearing, and drug screening tests.

Candidates must not have any misdemeanor or felony convictions, including those related to domestic violence. Prospective postal inspectors need to possess a current and valid state driver's license, and the license must have been held for at least two years. Applicants must be able to write and speak English proficiently. Relocation is also a requirement for this position.

There are several requirements to meet to become a postal inspector:

• Earn a bachelor's degree. This must be from an accredited college or university.
• Be at least 21 years at the time of hiring, and not more than 37 years.
• Be in good physical condition.
• Be fluent in written and spoken English.

There are also several different paths that can help you become a postal inspector:

• Have experience with the United States Postal Service.
• Have experience in military or law enforcement.
• Show proof of mastery of a foreign language.
• Have a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 or an advanced degree.

Education and Training Requirements

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) requires postal inspector candidates to hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates with foreign language skills, former postal experience or non-postal specialized experience like military service, law enforcement, bioterrorism investigation, accounting or computer training are considered more desirable. Applicants must also have worked full time for at least one year within the same company within two years of their application date.

In addition, candidates are required to successfully complete the Residential Basic Inspector Training program located in Potomac, Maryland. This program includes techniques in investigation and administration, firearms training, defensive strategies, physical conditioning and practical scenarios.

Skills Needed

The United States Postal Inspection Service requires that any candidate seeking to apply for US postal inspector jobs possess one of four key skills in order to qualify to work as a postal inspector.

1. The candidate must have advanced competency in a foreign language that the Postal Inspection Service deems necessary in carrying out the assigned investigative mission.
2. The applicant must have worked as a U.S. Postal Service employee, an intern, or a contractor in the past two years. This specialized postal experience track is essential in enhancing the postal inspector training that one will acquire or may have acquired.
3. Specialized experience in the military, law enforcement, or bioterrorism investigations could also be helpful. Those with certification in computer expertise, computer systems, auditing, or investigations are also considered as having the required specialized skills.
4. Academic achievement with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited university is a requirement. The candidate must have a GPA of at least 3.0 or evidence of a higher degree.

Postal inspectors are responsible for investigating all instances of criminal, civil, and administrative violations of postal-related laws. These investigations may involve fraud, theft, or instances of internal mismanagement. Inspectors execute search warrants, serve subpoenas, and collect evidence. Often, inspectors are responsible for preparing court reports and testifying in court trials.

Inspectors may also work in laboratories with forensic scientists to help screen the mail for potential dangers. These screening methods are used to locate biological, chemical, and explosive threats. Using forensics and advanced criminal technologies, inspectors also attempt to provide postal customers protection from identity theft and consumer fraud.

Postal inspectors investigate violations of postal-related laws, such as fraud or theft, and screen mail for potential dangers. They need to complete the Residential Basic Inspector Training, which covers topics such as investigative techniques, firearms training, and practical scenarios. They also need to hold a bachelor's degree and meet various age and legal requirements.

A search on postal inspector careers may yield different results because there are many related careers to that of a postal inspector, some of which may include:

• Criminal Investigator
• Homicide Detective
• FBI Agent
• Victims Advocate
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Fire Investigator

How much do postal inspectors make? According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, postal inspectors are paid according to the U.S. government's General Schedule pay scale for law enforcement officers. The average salary was reported to be $78,220 as of 2019, per statistics from Payscale.com. Compensation can vary, depending upon several factors, including locality.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), federal law enforcement jobs are competitive. Job candidates who are bilingual, have a bachelor's degree and previous law enforcement or military experience should have the best employment opportunities.

The BLS also points out that although job opportunities in federal law enforcement are expected to grow as fast as average, government spending determines the level of employment for police officers, detectives, and special agents. Therefore, job opportunities vary from year to year and by location. Recent budgetary constraints at the USPS may impact job opportunities for postal inspectors.