((a)) Except as otherwise provided in this title, the Postal Service shall appoint all officers and employees of the Postal Service.

((b)) Officers and employees of the Postal Service (other than those individuals appointed under sections 202, 204, and 1001(c) of this title) shall be in the postal career service, which shall be a part of the civil service. Such appointments and promotions shall be in accordance with the procedures established by the Postal Service. The Postal Service shall establish procedures, in accordance with this title, to assure its officers and employees meaningful opportunities for promotion and career development and to assure its officers and employees full protection of their employment rights by guaranteeing them an opportunity for a fair hearing on adverse actions, with representatives of their own choosing.

((c)) The Postal Service may hire individuals as executives under employment contracts for periods not in excess of 5 years. Notwithstanding any such contract, the Postal Service may at its discretion and at any time remove any such individual without prejudice to his contract rights.

((d)) Notwithstanding section 5533, 5535, or 5536 of title 5, or any other provision of law, any officer or employee of the Government of the United States is eligible to serve and receive pay concurrently as an officer or employee of the Postal Service (other than as a member of the Board or of the Postal Regulatory Commission) and as an officer or employee of any other department, agency, or establishment of the Government of the United States.

((e)) The Postal Service shall have the right, consistent with section 1003 and chapter 12 of this title and applicable laws, regulations, and collective-bargaining agreements—

((1)) to direct officers and employees of the Postal Service in the performance of official duties;

((2)) to hire, promote, transfer, assign, and retain officers and employees in positions within the Postal Service, and to suspend, demote, discharge, or take other disciplinary action against such officers and employees;

((3)) to relieve officers and employees from duties because of lack of work or for other legitimate reasons;

((4)) to maintain the efficiency of the operations entrusted to it;

((5)) to determine the methods, means, and personnel by which such operations are to be conducted;

((6)) to prescribe a uniform dress to be worn by letter carriers and other designated employees; and

((7)) to take whatever actions may be necessary to carry out its mission in emergency situations.