Postal Clerks

Career summary

Postal clerks may also be called mail handlers or postal machine operators.

Postal clerks work for the US Postal Service. They generally work either as counter clerks who help customers, or distribution clerks who sort mail. However, in small post offices they may do both.

Counter clerks

Postal clerks who work at the counter spend most of their day assisting customers. They sell money orders, stamps, post cards, envelopes, and other mailing products. They weigh letters or packages and compute the cost of postage based on type, weight, and destination. They obtain customer signatures when necessary and keep their money drawers organized. They are also in charge of checking postage meters to be sure they are working properly.

Postal clerks answer questions for customers about such things as rates or post office boxes. They help customers file claims for mail theft or lost or damaged mail. They sometimes post announcements or government information on public bulletin boards.

Distribution clerks

Postal clerks who work in mail distribution sort mail for delivery. They check mail to be sure it has the correct postage. They also feed mail into a postage-canceling device.

To sort mail, postal clerks use electronic sorting machines. Postal clerks at some small post offices still sort mail by hand. Clerks must sort odd-sized letters and magazines by hand.

Related careers

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Counter and Rental Clerks
• General Office Clerks
• Library Assistants and Bookmobile Drivers
• Mail Carriers
• Mail Clerks
• Parts Salespeople

Military careers

• Administrative Support Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to postal clerks.

• Sell stamps, post cards, envelopes, money orders, and other products.
• Weigh and compute postage costs for letters and packages. Obtain signatures when needed.
• Verify that postage meters are working properly.
• Register, certify, and insure mail.
• Answer questions for customers about rates, post office boxes, and mail restrictions.
• Help customers file claims for mail theft or lost or damaged mail. Help customers fill out change of address forms.
• Assist public in complying with Postal Service rules.
• Post government information on bulletin boards.
• Examine mail for correct postage.
• Feed mail into postage-canceling device.
• Sort mail for delivery by hand, electronic machine, or optical character reader (OCR) and bar code sorter.
• Keep money drawers in order. Record and balance daily transactions.

Common work activities

Postal clerks perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Evaluate information against standards
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Handle and move objects
• Use computers
• Process information
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Document and record information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, postal clerks:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. Those who work as counter clerks help customers for most of their day.
• Communicate with others by telephone or in-person. They occasionally write emails.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Sometimes deal with angry or discourteous people.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work indoors.
• Sometimes wear a special uniform.
• May sometimes be exposed to contaminants.
• Occasionally must deal with loud and distracting noises.
• Share work space with other clerks and customers.

Work performance

• Must be sure that all details are done and their work is accurate so the mail reaches its destination.
• Repeat the same physical activities, such as moving or sorting mail.
• Make decisions in conjunction with supervisors and customers.
• Set their daily tasks and goals by the amount of mail to be sorted and by customer needs.
• Must meet daily and weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Work as full-time, part-time regular, part-time flexible, or casual employees. Most work full time.
• May work nights and weekends if they work in mail distribution.
• Schedules are usually established.

Physical demands

Postal clerks frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for postal clerks to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for postal clerks to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.

Skills and abilities

Postal clerks need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Office Support

Training

To work as a postal clerk, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

There are no formal training programs for postal clerks.

Work experience

To qualify for postal service jobs, you must take a written exam. The exam measures your speed and accuracy at checking names and numbers. It also measures your ability to memorize procedures.

Postal clerks must pass a physical exam and a drug test. You may have to show that you can lift and handle mail sacks that weigh 70 pounds.

On-the-job training

Postal clerks learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. Training may last up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be administrative support specialists. Training lasts from six to ten weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Applicants for positions as postal clerks should contact the post office or mail processing center where they wish to work to find out when an exam will be given. After taking the exam, applicants' names are listed in order of their scores. Veterans who were honorably discharged receive five extra points. Veterans who were wounded in combat or disabled receive ten extra points. When an opening occurs, the hiring officer chooses one of the top three names. The rest of the names remain on the list to be considered for future openings. Eligibility usually ends two years after the exam date.

Hiring is based on scores on a written exam. The exam measures speed and accuracy at checking names and numbers. It also tests the ability to memorize mail service procedures. Applicants must also pass a physical exam and drug test. Applicants may be asked to show they can lift mail sacks weighing 70 pounds.

Besides having a high exam score, employers prefer applicants who can be polite and tactful when dealing with the public or with other clerks.

Employers also want workers who have received positive evaluations from previous employers and have good attendance records.

Tips

Due to increasing automation in the work, knowledge of computers and electronics is helpful.

Costs to workers

Workers may join a union and pay an initiation fee and annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Applicants must be 18 years old at the time they are hired or be at least 16 years old if they have a high school diploma. They must pass the written US Postal Service exam and a physical examination. They must have basic competency in English and pass a criminal records check. Applicants may also need to take additional tests or demonstrate that they can perform the work required. All potential workers must pass a drug screening. They must also be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. Applicants for jobs operating electronic sorting machines must pass a special examination that includes a machine aptitude test.

For more information about requirements and testing, contact the US Postal Service . You can also contact your local post office to find out when or if they will be hiring in your area.

#2/10/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Postal Service Clerks 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary according to the clerk's length of employment. The Postal Service provides regular pay increases.

Postal clerks are classified as casual, part-time flexible, part-time regular, or full-time workers. Casual employees are hired for 90 days at a time to help process mail during busy times. Part-time flexible workers are called in when they are needed. Part-time regulars have a set work week of fewer than 40 hours. Full-time employees work a 40-hour week with a regular schedule.

Full-time postal clerks receive benefits similar to other federal government employees. These include vacation and sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

All postal clerks work for the US Postal Service. Mail clerks who work for mailing services and other companies or agencies are not included in this occupation.

Major employers:

• US Postal Service

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining significantly. The amount of mail sent via the US Postal Service is continuing to decrease. This is due to the increasing use of electronic mail and automated bill pay. In addition, automated sorting equipment is doing much of the work formerly done by postal clerks. However, clerks will still be needed to feed mail into equipment.

Competition for these jobs will be strong. This is because the requirements for entry are low and the benefits are good.

Other resources

American Postal Workers Union 
1300 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.842.4200

Careers in the Military 

Carrying the Mail: A Career in Public Service 

Test 473 Orientation Guide for Major Entry-Level Jobs 

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

• Business Management and Administration

Career path

• Conventional (Business Operations)

O*Net  occupation

• Postal Service Clerks (43-5051.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Mail Handler (209.687-014) 
• Post-office Clerk (243.367-014) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Conventional/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Clerical