‘We are severely short-staffed across the nation’ : C.O. post offices hiring for hundreds of positions

(Update: Adding video, comments from Postal Service)

Some improvement reported by residents from recent issues

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- NewsChannel 21 has been hearing frequent complaints for months about delays in local mail and package deliveries, as the U.S. Postal Service struggles with staff shortages.

A job fair took place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Bend post office, and a similar event is planned Thursday and Friday at the Redmond post office. Starting pay for carriers can range from $19 to $20 an hour.

The Redmond post office job fair is on Thursday and Friday at 618 Northwest Hemlock Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Postal Service spokeswoman Kim Frum said Wednesday they're now hiring for hundreds of positions across Oregon.

"We are severely short-staffed across the nation, but also right here in the state of Oregon," Frum said. "The need is especially urgent for our mail -- mail handlers, mail carriers and clerks."

Edmund Bennett, a USPS supervisor recruiting employees at the Bend job fair, said they've seen an increase in people coming in to apply for jobs, "and I'm very grateful for that."

"We have positions open in the city -- carriers, rule carriers, clerks, mail handlers, almost any any place you want to work here," he said.

For months now, Central Oregonians have been feeling the effects of staffing shortages. 

There are some signs of recent improvement after months of various delivery issues.

Bend resident Mary Shrauger said she has recently seen some improvement with deliveries. 

"I was getting my neighbor's mail, and it was taking a long time for me to get some of my pieces of mail in like over a week, from Prineville to here," Shrauger said.

A resident of Redmond echoed that by email, writing: "The mail has improved over the last week. Keeping my fingers crossed it will remain that way, because it has been really bad until then."

With not enough employees to cover shifts, USPS has been shifting existing staff, trying to get mail to residents. 

Frum said, "We actually are borrowing employees from other post offices to help deliver mail and make sure everybody stays on top of things, and making sure everybody gets their mail delivered as they're supposed to."

You can find more information about available Postal Service positions here.