Occupation Details
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
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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
$29,550.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$36,430.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$43,370.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
9,100
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
9,720
+62 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,127
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
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.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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
- 10-key calculators
- Automated filing systems
- Automatic envelope opening machines
- Automatic envelope sealing machines
- Computer data input scanners
- Computer inkjet printers
- Copy machines
- Date stampers
- Digital duplicating machines
- Electronic cash registers
- Electronic mailing machines
- Hand trucks
- Lamination machines
- Laser facsimile machines
- Letter folding machines
- Mail addressing machines
- Mail bins
- Mail carts
- Mail processing machines
- Mail scales
- Mail sorting equipment
- Mail sorting trays
- Microfilm viewing equipment
- Mobile radios
- Motorized tuggers
- Multiline telephone systems
- Package tying machines
- Personal computers
- Postage meters
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Email software
- Financial accounting software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Postal Explorer
- Recordkeeping software
- Web browser 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.
- provide customer service in postal or mail service setting
- provide customer service
- answer customer or public inquiries
- set up production equipment or machinery
- proofread printed or written material
- inspect outgoing mail for conformance to standards or accuracy
- demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
- use oral or written communication techniques
- maintain records, reports, or files
- fill out business or government forms
- process orders for merchandise
- maintain inventory of office forms
- monitor operation of document sorting machine
- monitor operation of mail preparation or handling machines
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- inspect mail preparation or handling machine output for defects
- sort mail letters or packages
- operate printing equipment/machinery
- operate business machines
- operate alpha or numeric mail sorting systems
- process mail through postage machine
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- package goods for shipment or storage
- insert mail into slots of mail rack
- distribute correspondence or mail
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
- Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
- Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
- Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
- Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates.
- Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
- Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
- Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets.
- Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
- Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
- Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
- Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes.
- Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
- Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
- Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
- Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels.
- Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
- Clear jams in sortation equipment.
- Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests.
- Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools.
- Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.
- Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
- Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges.
- Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions.
- Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines.
- Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail.
- Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary.
- Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail.
- Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
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