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Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Also called: Automation Clerk, Distribution Clerk, Mail Handler, Mail Processor

What they do:

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

On the job, you would:
  • Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  • Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  • Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
On the job, you'll need:

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • SAP software

Data base user interface and query software

  • Address Management System AMS
  • Directory software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $49,130

Education

High school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the Government industry.