Summary of Changes Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, has been updated in this edition as follows: Chapter, in Postal subchapter, Bulletin with an part, appendix, issue issue date or section . titled . was . number . of . Chapter 2, Recruitment 222.1 Advertising Policy Revised to change the wording 22564 1-28-21 pertaining to USPS policy prohibiting sex discrimination in personnel hiring and placement so that the handbook is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 2020. 232.1 Nondiscrimination in Revised to change the wording 22564 1-28-21 Hiring pertaining to USPS policy prohibiting sex discrimination in personnel hiring and placement so that the handbook is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 2020. Chapter 5, Suitability 511.12 Nondiscrimination in Revised to change the wording 22564 1-28-21 Hiring pertaining to USPS policy prohibiting sex discrimination in personnel hiring and placement so that the handbook is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 2020. Chapter 6, Selection 611 Responsibility Revised to change the wording 22564 1-28-21 pertaining to USPS policy prohibiting sex discrimination in personnel hiring and placement so that the handbook is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 2020. Chapter 7, Assignment, Reassignment, and Promotion 712 Equal Employment Revised to change the wording 22564 1-28-21 Opportunity and pertaining to USPS policy prohibiting Affirmative sex discrimination in personnel hiring Employment Policy and placement so that the handbook is consistent with a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued June 2020. Employment and Placement This page intentionally left blank EmploymentTransmittal and Placement Letter Handbook EL-312 June 2021 Transmittal Letter A. Introduction. This issue of Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, was revised in June 2021. All previous editions of Handbook EL-312 are obsolete. B. Explanation. This handbook provides employment and placement policy and procedures for the United States Postal Service. These instructions apply to the employment, placement, and assignment of career and noncareer bargaining employees, as well as headquarters, area, and field nonbargaining positions, including most supervisory, managerial, administrative, clerical, and postmaster positions under the following pay systems: (a) EAS, (b) Management Pay Band, and (c) Technical Pay Band. Selections for Attorney Compensation System positions are not covered in this handbook, and this handbook has limited application to the Postal Career Executive Service (PCES). C. Distribution. Handbook EL-312 is available on the Postal Service Internet and intranet at: http://about.usps.com/handbooks/el312.pdf. D. Comments and Questions. Send comments and questions to: DIRECTOR NATIONAL HUMAN RESOURCES US POSTAL SERVICE 475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 1831 WASHINGTON DC 20260-4201 E. Effective Date. This handbook is effective June 2021. Simon Storey Vice President Human Resources Contents Summary of Changes Transmittal Letter . i 1 General . 1 11 Overview . 1 111 Scope . 1 112 Review and Approval . 1 113 Conditions on Use of Policy . 1 114 Prohibition of Political Recommendations . 1 114.1 Exceptions . 1 114.2 Penalties . 2 115 Disabled and Disability . 2 12 Responsibility . 2 121 Vice President, Employee Resource Management. 2 121.1 Selection, Evaluation, and Recognition . 2 121.2 Manager, National Test Administration Center . 2 122 Diversity Development . 3 123 District Managers . 3 124 Manager, Human Resources (District) . 3 125 District Examination Administrators . 4 126 Postal Inspection Service . 4 13 Multicomponent Employment and Placement Process . 4 2 Recruitment . 7 21 Planning and Coordination . 7 211 Recruitment Strategies . 7 211.1 Forecasting . 7 211.2 EEO and Affirmative Action Considerations . 8 211.3 Evaluating Vacancies. 8 212 Recruitment Options . 8 212.1 General . 8 212.2 Noncompetitive Hiring . 8 212.3 Competitive Hiring . 9 June 2021 iii Employment and Placement 22 Conducting Recruitment Activities . 9 221 Responsibilities . 9 222 Publicizing Job Opportunities . 9 222.1 Advertising Policy . 9 222.2 Paid Advertisements . 10 23 Sources of Recruitment . 10 231 Applicability of These Instructions . 10 232 Policy. 11 232.1 Nondiscrimination in Hiring . 11 232.2 Management Responsibility for Filling Vacancies . 11 232.3 Definitions Applicable to Recruitment . 11 232.4 Internal Recruitment and Placement . 12 232.41 General Provisions . 12 232.42 Bargaining Vacancies . 12 232.43 Supervisor and Other Nonbargaining Vacancies . 12 232.5 External Recruitment . 13 232.51 Use of External Recruitment. 13 232.52 Positions Restricted to Applicants Eligible for Veterans’ Preference. 13 232.6 Reimbursement of Travel and Relocation Expenses. 14 233 Career Recruitment . 14 233.1 Internal Placement of Bargaining Employees . 14 233.11 Internal Placement in General . 14 233.12 Examination Requirements . 14 233.13 Senior Qualified and Best Qualified Position Requirements . 15 233.14 Medical Qualifications . 15 233.15 Maintenance Selection System Requirements. 15 233.2 Internal Placement of Nonbargaining Employees . 15 233.3 External Recruitment - Competitive and Noncompetitive . 15 233.31 External Recruitment in General. 15 233.32 Competitive Appointment. 15 233.33 Reinstatement and Reemployment . 15 233.34 Transfer From Another Federal Entity . 20 233.35 Dual Employment . 23 233.36 Noncompetitive Appointment of Veterans With 30 Percent or More Disability . 24 233.37 Noncompetitive Appointment of Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment Eligibles . 24 233.38 Reemployment of Annuitants . ..