Postal Service Clerks - MehtA+ Tutoring

Career Overview

Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.

Also Known As

Clerk
Postal Clerk
Sales and Service Associate (SSA)
Window Clerk

Alternate Job Titles

Annuitant HCA (Annuitant Holiday Clerk Assistant)
Bulk Clerk
Bulk Mail Clerk
Bulk Mail Technician
Business Mail Entry Clerk
City Carrier
City Carrier Assistant (CCA)
Clerk
Counter Clerk
Delivery Associate
Delivery Clerk
Distribution Clerk
Dock Clerk
Mail Agent
Mail Caller

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
Transport mail from one work station to another.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

Stock lobby with retail merchandise.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Customer and Personal Service

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Near Vision
Written Comprehension
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Manual Dexterity
Trunk Strength
Information Ordering
Category Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Cooperation
Cautiousness

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Relationships
Support
Working Conditions
Independence
Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Windows

Tools & Equipment

Automated mail processing equipment
Barcode scanners
Barcode sorters
Bin stackers
Doubles detectors
Electronic mail sorting devices
General purpose mail containers
Hand stamps
Hand trucks
Mail bags
Mail scales
Mail transport carts
Money drawers
Optical character readers
Packaging tape dispensers

Work Environment

Contact With Others
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
Spend Time Standing
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$42,600
Median	$61,630
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$74,050

Workers Employed Nationally: 78,060