Job fairs in Oak Harbor, Freeland and Langley last week were part of the U.S. Postal Service’s two-day hiring “Mega Blitz” for 2,000 mail carriers, mail handlers and clerks at 103 postal facilities across the state.

Problems with mail delivery on the island over the last couple of years have been blamed on a lack of staffing, which has been a nationwide issue.

The available postal positions, which offer starting pay from $18.92 to $21.19 an hour, are opportunities for anyone seeking fast-paced, rewarding work environments with good pay, and are a first step that could lead to long-term careers for the Postal Service, according to a press release.

“There’s never been a better time to join the Postal Services,” USPS Washington Human Resources Manager Alexis Delgado said in a press release. “Throughout the COVID pandemic, our employees have played essential roles in their communities. When people have been confined to their homes, when stores and supermarkets have experienced shortages or been shut down, we delivered medicines to house-bound seniors, household supplies to those unable to shop at stores, and COVID tests to anyone who needed them.”

USPS did not notify the newspaper about the job fairs before they took place.

For more information on job openings and the requirements to be a USPS employee, visit usps.com/careers.