Local News
7 Postal Job Fairs Seek Delivery Personnel for 58 Cities Across North-Central Alabama
ALABAMA — If you’re seeking employment in a fast-paced, rewarding work environment with competitive compensation packages, on-the-job training, and advancement opportunities, be sure to attend the U.S. Postal Service’s upcoming Job Fairs on Thursday, May 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.:
Anniston, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Anniston, Alexandria, Ashland, Cropwell, Eastaboga, Heflin, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Munford, Ohatchee, Piedmont, Ragland, Roanoke, Talladega, Wadley, Weaver, Wedowee
Gadsen, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Gadsden, East Gadsden, Ashville, Attalla, Cedar Bluff, Centre, Leesburg, Steele
Boaz, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Boaz, Albertville, Altoona, Crossville, Guntersville, Horton
Fort Payne, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Payne, Fyffe, Henegar, Ider, Mentone, Rainsville
Alexander City, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Alexander City, Childersburg, Goodwater, Rockford, Sylacauga
Hanceville, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Hanceville, Arab, Blountsville, Cullman, Hayden, Oneonta
Pell City, AL Post Office
Rural hiring for Pell City, Cropwell, Leeds, Moody, Odenville, Pinson, Springville, Sterett, Trussville
Job fairs are part of the U.S. Postal Service’s 10-year plan, “Delivering for America.” The U.S. Postal Service is seeking employees for Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) and Assistant Rural Carrier positions at $20.38 per hour.
Postal officials will be onsite at each location to share information about employment opportunities and to assist with the online application process.
An RCA will have to be able to work a flexible schedule and be available to work throughout the week (Sunday through Saturday). This position could be ideal if one is looking for steady employment with career advancement opportunities.
An RCA serves families and businesses in rural and suburban areas. This employee is responsible for the delivery and collection of mail, working when regular carriers have scheduled days off or vacation days.
An RCA also sells stamps, supplies, and addresses customer inquiries about their mail delivery service. An applicant must have a valid state driver’s license and demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record. At least two years of unsupervised experience is also a requirement.
A personal vehicle suitable for use delivering mail/packages may be required. Becoming an RCA is the first step to becoming a full-time, regular rural carrier with full benefits.
An Assistant Rural Carrier (ARC) will deliver and collect packages along routes in rural areas and will provide a variety of services to customers along an assigned route. Successful applicants may be required to provide their own vehicle for transportation.
As an ARC, you may opt to provide service to your community on weekends and holidays or up to seven days each week, whichever suits your lifestyle. If you enjoy working outdoors, while keeping your week free, this position may be a great fit for you.
Career employees can earn premium long-term benefits that complement good pay. Some of the benefits include multiple health and life insurance choices, pension benefits and a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) like a 401(k), and vacation time and sick leave.
The U.S. Postal Service is an organization that promotes largely from within, offering career development to help prepare employees achieve their professional goals.
Training programs include entry-level functional job-related training, technical hands-on learning, new supervisor training, and management-to- executive level development.
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the city’s historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vessel’s emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucester’s historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucester—the nation’s oldest working fishing port—activated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. “She put her heart and soul into this opportunity,” family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucester’s close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vessel’s owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. “I hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,” she said. “This is heartbreaking.”
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucester’s deep fishing heritage. “Gloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,” Tarr said. “It appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was “heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,” adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victims’ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: “The salt has been in our blood for generations… A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.”
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series Nor’Easter Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New England’s commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victims’ families and Gloucester’s fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.