Occupation Details
Postal Service Clerks
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.
Quick Navigation
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.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$43,990.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$54,390.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$61,680.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
6,490
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
6,380
+-11 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
511
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.0%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
School Programs information is not available for this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Automated mail processing equipment
- Barcode scanners
- Barcode sorters
- Bin stackers
- 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
- Point of sale workstations
- Postage meters
- Security device removers
- Security devices
- Sorting machines
- Stamp cancelers
Technology
- Budgeting software
- Delivery operations information system DOIS
- Electronic Time Clock ETC
- Inventory tracking software
- Microsoft Windows
- Point of sale POS software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- monitor currency, coin, or checks in cash drawer
- receive or disburse cash related to payments received
- operate business machines
- operate alpha or numeric mail sorting systems
- process mail through postage machine
- fill out business or government forms
- resolve customer or public complaints
- sell products or services
- distribute correspondence or mail
- load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
- maintain account records
- use oral or written communication techniques
- relay information to proper officials
- calculate monetary exchange
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- insert mail into slots of mail rack
- examine documents for completeness, accuracy, or conformance to standards
- sort mail letters or packages
- obtain information from individuals
- provide customer service in postal or mail service setting
- provide assistance to post office customers
- answer customer or public inquiries
- assist public in complying with Postal Service regulations
- greet customers, guests, visitors, or passengers
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
- Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
- Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
- Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
- Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
- Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.
- Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
- Put undelivered parcels away, retrieve them when customers come to claim them, and complete any related documentation.
- Receive letters and parcels, and place mail into bags.
- Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
- Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.
- Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
- Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.
- Transport mail from one work station to another.
- Rent post office boxes to customers.
- Provide customers with assistance in filing claims for mail theft, or lost or damaged mail.
- Set postage meters, and calibrate them to ensure correct operation.
- Feed mail into postage canceling devices or hand stamp mail to cancel postage.
- Cash money orders.
- Order retail items and other supplies for office use.
- Post announcements or government information on public bulletin boards.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Postal service workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More