USPS Little Rock hosts hiring event, looks to hire 150 drivers

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Many in central Arkansas were in line to apply during a United States Postal Service hiring event on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the USPS in Little Rock held a job fair to fill 150 driving positions for tractor-trailer and postal vehicle operators.

USPS Little Rock logistics manager Billy Trimble said how they’re doing the job fair is a big change because it’s a part of the insourcing initiative instead of how they usually hire.

“We’re going to hire our own drivers, the first time Little Rock has done this in the history of Little Rock, we always had contract drivers,” Trimble said.

The starting pay for a tractor-trailer operator is $31.47 per hour, paid bi-weekly, and for a postal vehicle operator is $26.61.

Courtney Turner said this job will provide more opportunities.

“The company I work for now we’re contracted with the post office so we’re trying to get directly on with the post office and get the benefits and everything that comes with it,” Turner said.

Charisma Miller said the pay was a big factor for her as a job seeker and the potential income could make a big difference.

“It definitely would be a boost for me and my family so I’m excited about that in the opportunities,” Miller said.

In a report from the Arkansas Department of Commerce, the unemployment rate in June declined by 3.3 percent and it also shows more people are seeking work.

Multiple USPS workers at the event said they saw hundreds of applicants and Trimble said there was a line of people before the event started.

Trimble said the new hires will have full benefits and will work traveling around the state. He noted he expects it to be a couple of weeks before applicants hear back but he is excited about the change.

“We will actually save money by getting out of the contracting and having our own drivers,” Trimble said.

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