What Do Mail Machine Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Mail Machine Operators prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Use hand or mail handling machines to 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. They also wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates.
• Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
• 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.

We asked Mail Machine Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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65% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 44% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Mail Machine Operators stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail. They remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.

A typical day for a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator will also include:

• Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
• Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
• Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
• Clear jams in sortation equipment.
• Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.

We asked some Mail Machine Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	54% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	24% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	10% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Mail Machine Operators also contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels. They may also add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Mail Machine Operators 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. They might also Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests.

In addition, they Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Clear jams in sortation equipment.

To some Mail Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439051.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/postal-service-workers.htm