With all the recent talk about employers having trouble finding employees, Lenore Thomas, officer in charge of the Greensburg Post Office, admitted to being a bit surprised Wednesday when a line of applicants began forming for a postal service job fair well before the 11 a.m. start time.

As the crowd of potential employees snaked through the post office lobby at 238 S. Pennsylvania Ave., “we decided to go ahead and begin processing the applicants even though it wasn’t 11 a.m. yet,” Thomas said.

By 11:30 a.m., more than 50 applicants had been processed and fingerprinted.

“It’s been a steady stream of people, and that is what we wanted,” Thomas said.

The postal service is preparing for the upcoming holiday season, as online shopping and shipping continue to increase, the agency said in a news release announcing Wednesday’s four-hour interview event.

“Throughout Western Pennsylvania, we’re looking to add between 300 and 500 employees,” said Lori Price, the postal service’s human resources director for Pennsylvania District 1, which includes all of the region.

“We’ve been very, very steady today, and our people here have been assisting them with their applications trying to get them through the process quickly,” Price said.

Claudia Carter of Oakdale made the approximately 48-mile trip to Greensburg to apply for one of the jobs. The former health claims processor was furloughed during the pandemic, and her extended unemployment ran out Sept. 4.

“I’ve been applying at other places for a while now, but I’m definitely hoping to be hired for something full time,” Carter said. “The postal service benefits are awesome, and the pay sure isn’t bad either.”

Postal officials want to fill positions in postal support, city carrier, rural carrier, mail handling and tractor-trailer drivers. Starting salaries range from $16.87 to $23.74 per hour.

Applicant Kevin Cox, 24, of Murrysville graduated from Edinboro University in December with a degree in data analytics. He also holds an associate’s degree in computer science.

Although people might see a lot of signs offering work, many are for part-time retail or restaurant positions with few benefits, he said.

“I’m looking for a job where I can build a career,” Cox said. “I’ve made applications all over the place and already had several interviews, but every one so far is looking for someone with a lot of experience.”

Cox previously worked in technology with the Franklin Regional School District, a summer job he’s held throughout college.

“That job ended a couple weeks ago. But again, I’m hoping to get hired somewhere I can begin a career,” he said.

A woman who declined to give her name because she is currently employed said the benefits and pay drew her to Wednesday’s job fair.

“I live in Unity, so it takes me about one hour each way to get back and forth to work. If I could get closer to home, and get nearly the same benefits and pay, that would be really great,” she said. “I can tell you the postal employees in there helping you through the application process were really considerate, answered my questions and were very helpful. It was pretty quick.”

Those interested in working at the postal service can apply online at usps.com/careers.

To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 and pass a drug screening and criminal background check. Applicants must be able to work weekends and holidays.