Career summary

Details for Postal Service Mail Carriers


Description

Sort mail for delivery. Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot.

Tasks

  • Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
  • Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
  • Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
  • Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
  • Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.
  • Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
  • Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
  • Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
  • Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
  • Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
  • Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
  • Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
  • Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
  • Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.
  • Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.
  • Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
  • Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
  • Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.
  • Enter change of address orders into computers that process forwarding address stickers.
  • Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.
  • Sell stamps and money orders.
  • Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Knowledge

  • Education and Training -Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Customer and Personal Service -Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skills

None found.

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