The Fannystelle post office is at risk of closing if Canada Post can’t find a postmaster to run it.
The Fannystelle post office has been without a postmaster since the end of 2023 when the previous one retired. Since then, Canada Post has run three advertisements promoting the position but to no avail. As the hunt for a new postmaster has been unsuccessful so far, Canada Post met with the rural municipality (RM) of Grey reeve, a local councillor, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kim Arnal to discuss options.
A well-attended Feb. 12 meeting at the Fannystelle Hall that included municipal representatives, Canada Post representatives, and members of the community had Canada Post bring in community mailboxes temporarily while they continue their search. It was also decided Canada Post would readvertise the open postmaster position two more times – the RM shared the posting on their website and social media to get the word out and is hoping someone qualified will apply for the job.
If after these two more attempts the Fannystelle postmaster position remains empty, it’s likely the community mailboxes will no longer be a temporary solution, but a permanent one. For packages requiring signatures, oversized parcels, stamp purchases, and anything else that isn’t regular mail-related, people would have to go to another post office, most likely the one in Starbuck.
The postmaster’s responsibilities include sorting mail to post boxes, liaising with the community, selling and promoting postal products, working within the retail hours of operation, supervising staff, keeping the post office neat and presentable, operating the post office with due diligence and efficiency, among other things.
Anyone interested in applying for the position can find it at www.jobs.canadapost.ca/job/fannystelle-postmaster-premises-provided-by-postmaster-%28group-office%29-mb/578440317/. The Fannystelle postmaster must own or lease the building the post office is in themselves, have a high school diploma (or provincial equivalent), have experience interacting with the public, have knowledge of general mail regulations, methods, and procedures, and be physically fit enough to lift, push, or pull containers of up 50 lb.
The postmaster will work 20 hours a week and receive a leasing allowance of $2,020 per year, with the opportunity for a monthly allowance to help offset the costs that come with owning or leasing the premises.
Canada Post says the ideal candidate would reside in the community of Fannystelle or surrounding areas, but applicants within a 50 km radius of the post office may be considered.
