Position Description
Postal Automotive Technicians diagnose the operations of a wide variety of vehicles in the postal fleet. Typical duties include troubleshooting and diagnosing vehicle operations using a variety of tools and test equipment. Most new postal automotive technicians are paid an hourly rate and work a flexible schedule.
According to the US Postal Service, the duties and responsibilities of a postal automotive technician are:
1. Diagnoses operating difficulties on a variety of vehicles and performs operational checks on engines; its major supporting systems, parts, components, assemblies; including emissions systems, electrical, computer and electronic controlled components.
2. Performs various computerized and electronic diagnostic tests using specialized equipment; interprets trouble codes and other information from electronic scanners and test analyzers; uses reference materials such as service manuals and wiring schematics to determine operational difficulties, driveability problems and evaluates performance efficiency.
3. Conducts visual and auditory vehicle inspections, road calls and road tests before and after maintenance and repairs; annotates vehicle problems on work orders.
4. Provides technical guidance and instructions to mechanics and technicians on more difficult repairs and in the use of specialized computer-aided diagnostic equipment.
5. Performs maintenance and repairs resulting from normal preventive maintenance inspections.
6. Prepares and updates vehicle records, maintains vehicle records; annotates labor time, parts, and/or equipment and other pertinent data on work orders.
7. Performs engine tune-ups; removes, replaces, adjusts, cleans parts, components, assemblies and accessories; uses a variety of specialized test equipment to adjust systems and components to prescribed operating tolerances.
8. Troubleshoots malfunctioning vehicles resulting from road calls and identifies improperly functioning part (s) and repairs or replaces.
9. Repairs and replaces major components including transmissions, differentials, brake systems, power assist units, steering and suspension assemblies.
10. Performs other job related duties and responsibilities in support of primary duties.
11. Follows all established safety practices and procedures; complies with all postal, local, state and federal environmental regulations and policies
Postal Exam 944
The Postal Exam 944 is given on an as-needed basis at various facilities across the U.S. In addition to passing the exam, applicants should have had technical training and experience covering automotive repair and maintenance. Passing your postal exam is only one step you need to take you get your local post office job. You can prepare for your postal exam by taking some free postal exam questions.
The Postal Exam 944 helps determine an applicant’s knowledge with respect to automotive technology. The exam is exclusively multiple choice with four answer choices (A,B,C, D).
The U.S. Post Office lists the following sample questions for Postal Exam 944
Postal Examination 944 (Automotive Technician) Sample Questions
1. In addition to vacuum, which of the following represents one means of opening an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system valve?
A. Electricity
B. Hydraulic pressure
C. Manual linkage
D. Compression spring
2. A technician is performing a four-gas analyzer test on a vehicle and finds a high hydrocarbon (HC) reading, with the engine misfiring only at idle. What is most likely the cause?
A. Leaking intake manifold
B. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve that does not fully close
C. Secondary ignition wire shorting
D. Partially clogged fuel injector
3. When a transmission in the park position emits a high- pitched whine that increases with engine revolutions per minute (RPM), what is the most likely cause?
A. A bad front pump
B. A loose torque converter
C. Misadjusted park pawl
D. A worn sprag unit
4. It is NOT necessary to remove an automatic
transmission to make which of the following repairs?
A. Front pump seal
B. Governor assembly
C. Rear clutch pack
D. Stator support assembly
5. A wet compression test is used to isolate which engine
defect?
A. Leaking head gasket
B. Worn valve seats
C. Worn valve seals
D. Worn piston rings
6. Which three of the following are most likely to be caused
by excessive fuel-pump pressure?
1. The carburetor float needle held off its seat
2. High gasoline level in the carburetor float chamber
3. Air lock in the fuel line
4. Increased gas consumption
A. 1, 2, and 3, but not 4
B. 1, 2, and 4, but not 3
C. 1, 3, and 4, but not 2
D. 2, 3, and 4, but not 1
Correct Answers:
- A
- B
- A
- B
- D
- B