U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Delivering a 

World of Career 

Opportunities

Publication 260-A 

July 2020
2 | U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities

The United States Postal Inspection 

Service® is seeking self-motivated 

individuals who possess personal 

integrity, sound judgment, a sense of 

pride and loyalty, and a desire to be 

challenged.

Does this describe you? Keep reading to 

learn more about joining our team as a 

Postal Inspector, a Postal Police Officer, or 

a professional, technical, or administrative 

specialist.

Who we are...

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is the law 

enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service®. Our 

mission is to protect the Postal ServiceTM, secure 

the nation’s mail system, and ensure public 

trust in the mail. We investigate criminal, civil, 

and administrative violations of postal-related 

laws, often using forensics and cutting-edge 

technologies. We work closely with other federal, 

state, and local law enforcement agencies and, 

over our long and storied history, have become 

recognized as one of the country’s most efficient 

and effective law enforcement organizations.

In fact, the history of the Postal Inspection 

Service goes back further than that of any other 

federal law enforcement agency, all the way 

to August 7, 1775, when Benjamin Franklin 

appointed the first Surveyor of Post Roads (the 

forerunner to the modern Postal Inspector). 

From solving stagecoach robberies over two 

hundred years ago to investigating cybercrime 

and identity theft today, the Postal Inspection 

Service has always been an integral part of 

American commerce and communication. Today, 

we continue to evolve—to meet new crimes 

and threats, to implement new crime-fighting 

technologies, and to catch the criminals who 

attack or misuse our nation’s mail system.

®
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities | 3

Postal Inspectors 

Postal Inspectors enforce over 200 federal 

laws covering crimes that attack or misuse the 

postal system. Like other federal agents, Postal 

Inspectors carry badges and firearms, make 

arrests, execute federal search warrants, and 

serve subpoenas. 

U.S. Postal Inspectors have investigative 

jurisdiction in all criminal matters involving the 

integrity and security of the U.S. Postal Service. 

Because the U.S. MailTM is such an essential part 

of American commerce and culture, Inspectors 

work an impressive range of criminal cases 

involving narcotics, fraud, organized crime, 

identity theft, burglary, armed robbery, explosives, 

terrorist threats, child pornography, assaults, and 

homicides. 

“As a Postal Inspector, the opportunity to 

serve others and truly make a difference 

is the most rewarding aspect of the 

job for me. The variety of investigations 

and the partnerships formed with other 

federal, state, and local agencies make 

this job exciting and new each year.”

— Postal Inspector, Pittsburgh Division  
4 | U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities

Are you up to the challenge? 

A career as a Postal Inspector is not for 

everyone. Postal Inspectors are required to 

carry firearms, make arrests, provide testimony, 

serve subpoenas, execute search warrants, 

and prepare comprehensive reports. Postal 

Inspectors must be in sound physical condition 

and be capable of performing vigorous physical 

activities on a sustained basis. Inspectors 

must be able to conduct searches, pursue and 

restrain suspects, and protect themselves and 

others from imminent danger. 

“Being a United States Postal 

Inspector is the best job in the world. 

Every day is different and brings new 

challenges, but rising to meet those 

challenges has been fun and incredibly 

rewarding. At the end of the day, I 

know I have made a difference. I am so 

proud to contribute to the legacy of the 

nation’s oldest federal law enforcement 

agency!”

—Postal Inspector, Detroit Division

Postal Inspectors are also on call 24/7, work 

long and irregular hours, and must be willing 

to relocate. 
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities | 5

Benefits to being an Inspector: 

■ Competitive pay and benefits (comparable to

any other federal law enforcement agency).

■ Diverse, challenging, and exciting work

environment.

■ Plenty of opportunity for advancement.

■ Investigative autonomy—follow cases across

the country to completion. 

■ Opportunity to protect our society’s most

vulnerable (children and older Americans).

■ Chance to serve your country by safeguarding

one of America’s most essential and timehonored institutions—the U.S. Mail.

■ Opportunity to fight against the opioid

epidemic.

■ Pride in belonging to one of the oldest, most

elite federal law enforcement agencies.
6 | U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities

“The greatest moments of my 

career are the times I help restore 

the lives of victims ravaged by 

identity theft. The long hours 

spent investigating are worthwhile 

when I tell the victims, ‘We 

arrested the guy.’”

—Postal Inspector, San Francisco Division

You can apply to become a U.S. Postal 

Inspector if you:

■ Are a U.S. citizen between the ages of

21 and 37.

■ Possess a four-year degree from an accredited

college or university.

■ Have no felony or domestic violence convictions.

■ Are in good physical condition.

■ Possess a valid driver’s license for at least

two (2) years.

■ Have strong communication skills.

■ Write and speak English clearly.

■ Are willing to relocate.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities | 7

Postal Police Officers 

Our Postal Police Officers (PPOs) are a crucial 

part of the Inspection Service team. Stationed 

in critical postal facilities across the nation, they 

stand on the frontlines in the fight to protect 

postal employees, customers, and property. 

PPOs create a sense of security and safety 

for employees and the American public. Their 

presence keeps employees free from danger in 

the workplace and our customers feeling safe. 

And if disaster strikes on postal property—

whether it’s natural or man-made—PPOs are 

often the first to respond.

Do you have what it takes? 

You may be eligible to become a Postal Police 

Officer if you: 

■ Are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent

resident.

■ Have no felony or domestic violence

convictions.

■ Are in good physical condition.

■ Write and speak English clearly.

■ Have a valid driver’s license and a safe

driving record for at least two (2) years.

“Over the years, my job as a Postal 

Police Officer has given me opportunities 

to learn new things and to meet new 

people. I enjoy visiting the local Post 

OfficesTM where everyone is appreciative 

and expresses that they feel safer 

knowing we are around.”

—Postal Police Sergeant, Los Angeles Division
“In my current position, I have had the 

pleasure to serve and provide protection 

to Postal Service employees, customers, 

and contractors. I especially enjoy the 

interactions between myself and the 

public; they are continuously showing 

their appreciation for our service.”

—Postal Police Supervisor, Memphis, TN
U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities | 9

Professional, Technical, and 

Administrative 

Our professional, technical, and administrative 

(PTA) personnel give essential support to 

Inspection Service efforts nationwide and at 

the National Forensic Laboratory. PTAs in the 

field and at Inspection Service headquarters 

in Washington, DC, work behind the 

scenes to collect and analyze data, provide 

administrative and logistical support, create 

reports, and provide technical guidance. 

PTAs bring to the Inspection Service a wide 

range of specializations, including information 

technology, analytics, project management, 

and communications. 

At our National Forensic Laboratory, our 

highly trained forensic scientists and technical 

specialists play a key role in identifying, 

apprehending, prosecuting, and convicting 

individuals responsible for postal-related 

offenses. They analyze evidentiary material 

needed for identifying and tracing criminal 

suspects and provide scientific and technical 

expertise that is critical to our criminal and 

security investigations.

“I get to serve with some of the best 

scientific and analytical minds in the 

nation who assist Postal Inspectors in 

keeping the nation’s mail, customers, 

and employees safe.”

—Forensic Chemist Sr., Forensic Laboratory Services
10 | U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Delivering a World of Career Opportunities

Are you ready to stand with the oldest 

federal law enforcement organization? 

You may be eligible to join our professional, 

technical, and administrative support team if 

you: 

■ Are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent

resident.

■ Can successfully complete a background

investigation.

■ Write and speak English clearly.

■ Possess required specialized skills

(requirements vary by position).

“When I was studying communications 

in college, I never imagined I would end 

up working in federal law enforcement, 

but the Postal Inspection Service turned 

out to be the perfect fit for me. I may 

not carry a badge or gun, but I’m proud 

every day to use my skills and training to 

fight crime and protect people from the 

bad guys.”

—Program Specialist, National Headquarters, 

Washington, DC

For more information about the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, call 

toll-free 1-877-876-2455, or visit our website at www.uspis.gov.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service recruits the 

best and trains the best...to be the best.

Publication 260-A 

July 2020

PSN 7610 -04-000-8760

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