Homecoming Driven by Dedication and Effort

• Candi Steward has been appointed as the new postmaster in Van Buren, Arkansas.
• With 12 years of experience in the postal service, Steward is recognized for her “servant’s heart”.
• The Van Buren Post Office serves Van Buren and nearby towns, employing 53 staff members.
• Steward is committed to listening to customer feedback to enhance service quality.

Candi Steward returns to her roots.

The wisdom imparted by her grandparents has guided the new postmaster in reconnecting with her Van Buren and Crawford County heritage.

“I’m what you might call a jack-of-all-trades,” Steward mentioned. “My grandfather was similar. He taught me to learn as much as possible so I could be the go-to person when someone needed assistance. I stick to that philosophy, but it often leads me to take on more than I should.”

A Trial by Fire

Steward’s initiation at the post office coincided with the bustling Christmas season.

“We’re perpetually busy. Some days are busier than others, but Christmas…” Steward paused before elaborating. “There’s a lyric that goes, ‘If we can make it through December.’ It serves as our guiding principle. We feel we’ll be fine once we reach January 1. At least we won’t have the harsh winter weather like in other states.”

“The volume skyrockets during this time. Nothing can adequately prepare you. If I’m needed to deliver mail, I’ll be out there in heels and a skirt. I remember when the stimulus checks were distributed; that was quite the challenge. If someone didn’t receive theirs, we certainly heard about it. Now they’re mentioning another one? I’d rather not think about that now.”

Having worked at the Fort Smith Post Office for 12 years, Steward has spent nearly her entire career in administration or management. She started as a floater, moving between post offices to provide assistance wherever needed and gaining insights into postal operations.

“I didn’t want to reach a point where I felt unproductive, just going through the motions each day,” Steward expressed. “My aim was to learn something new every day, return home, and unwind. Yet I found that I kept learning and absorbing more and more.”

Embracing a ‘Servant’s Heart’

“In every role, you are providing a service. In the postal service, possessing a servant’s heart is vital. You must genuinely want to assist people. I sometimes see it as my downfall because I strive to fix everything, which isn’t always possible. It feels like failure. One of my biggest regrets since starting here was joining the Facebook group where residents vent about the post office.”

Steward makes an effort to reach out to individuals and resolve their issues. She often finds herself messaging people late at night on Facebook to locate missing packages.

“Balancing my home and work life has been essential,” Steward stated. “It has taken a lot of effort to set aside work and allow people to express their anger or frustration. I focus on spending quality time with my kids first then return to the work-related concerns. You want to help; it’s almost an obligation. You just hope for some grace as you navigate it all.”

Steward often jokes with her supervisors that the post office could benefit from a program similar to the police ride-along experience, but with a mail carrier shadowing program instead.

“We deal with the challenges of keeping all the mail sorted amid the wind. We might receive the right address but with an incorrect name or vice versa,” Steward explained. “A lot of factors complicate our work, and unfortunately, there’s often little understanding extended our way, which is understandable, as we are expected to deliver accurately.”

“I welcome complaints and concerns because they help me identify areas that need improvement and how to address them.”

A Day in the Life

The postal service, marking its 250th anniversary this year, has undergone significant changes in the past decade. Steward noted an increase in reporting, transparency, and real-time package tracking, which offers an excellent service but can be problematic when it fails.

“I am lucky to have two fantastic supervisors in the office who help me stay focused because I tend to get distracted easily,” Steward admitted. “For the most part, I come in and support whatever they need. They follow a checklist, and I have one too. My role is to assist in their tasks while making things easier for customers, our carriers, and clerks. I usually deal with most of the complaints that go beyond simple fixes.”

Earlier, Steward spoke with her supervisors regarding justifying her carriers’ hours. Currently, the Van Buren Post Office employs 53 individuals, with equal numbers serving as clerks and city and rural carriers for Cedarville, Natural Dam, and Uniontown. Carrier routes are designed for an 8-hour delivery of all mail. Steward sometimes trails her carriers to ensure their safety. If an issue arises, such as a stray dog, the carriers alert Steward, who assesses the situation and contacts animal control if needed.

“Most of my time is spent addressing inquiries from the district manager’s headquarters whenever problems arise,” Steward mentioned. “I serve as a liaison between my supervisors, carriers, and upper management, ensuring communication flows. While it may not seem significant, I genuinely dedicate my time until the day’s end. Occasionally, someone pops into my office to suggest I head home—everyday customer interactions and related processes can be overwhelming.”