RCA HIRING REGISTER

Q. How long are records of the hiring registers kept by the Postal Service?

    A. Eligibility registers will be maintained by the District. Registers are retained for 5 years and at the appropriate Federal Records Center (FRC) for an additional 5 years. If not forwarded to the FRC, retain registers locally for 10 years.  Inactive register cards will be maintained for 5 years from the last day of the calendar year (December 31) in which the individual’s eligibility expired, and at the appropriate Federal Records Center for an additional 5 years.

    Inactive register cards are purged annually. Cards for persons whose eligibility has been expired for 5 years (using December 31 of the previous year as the cut-off date) are to be removed from the inactive register. (Reference: Handbook EL-311, Section 251.33)

Q. If I accept an RCA position (non-career) will my name remain on the register?

    A. The name of an eligible that receives a career appointment from a register is removed from that register. If given a non-career appointment (e.g., casual or temporary), the eligible’s name remains on the register for career consideration. (Reference: Handbook EL-311, Section 252.7)

Q. What is the duration of my eligibility on the register?

    A. Each eligible has 24 months of eligibility, beginning with the date the eligible’s name is entered on the register. This is not automatically extended for voluntary or involuntary periods of suspension from the register. Eligibility may be extended for a third year upon submission of a written request to the installation head after the 18th month of eligibility (i.e., during the last 6 months of the initial 2-year eligibility.)

    Applicants who successfully had either a medical or non-medical unsuitability determination reversed will have their eligibility extended for the period of temporary unsuitability; not to exceed the maximum stated above. (Reference: Handbook EL-311, Section 353.1)

Q. Can I transfer my eligibility from one location to another location?

    A. Normally, eligibility may be transferred only when there is a current register and an appropriate open examination at the postal installation or group of offices under the AERs to which the transfer is desired. (Reference: Handbook EL-311, Section 353.1)

Q. What must I do to transfer my eligibility to another location?

    A. The eligible desiring to transfer eligibility sends or takes the notice or rating to the postal installation where work is desired and requests that eligibility be transferred. All requests for transfer of eligibility meeting the criteria of Handbook EL-311, Section 253.1, will be honored. Reference Handbook EL-311, Section 253.41.)



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