What Do Postal Service Clerks Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Postal Service Clerks perform any combination of tasks in a 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. They also sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Postal Service Clerks how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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66% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 48% 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, Postal Service Clerks sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders. They weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.

A typical day for a Postal Service Clerk will also include:

• Feed mail into postage canceling devices or hand stamp mail to cancel postage.
• Receive letters and parcels, and place mail into bags.
• Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
• Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
• Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.

We asked some Postal Service Clerks 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?	43% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	40% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	57% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	41% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	54% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Postal Service Clerks also order retail items and other supplies for office use. They may also rent post office boxes to customers.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Postal Service Clerks Provide customers with assistance in filing claims for mail theft, or lost or damaged mail. They might also Cash money orders.

In addition, they Post announcements or government information on public bulletin boards.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.

To some Postal Service Clerks, it is also their responsibility to Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Postal Service Clerk, you can expect to work 40 hour work 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/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/postal-service-workers.htm

http://about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm

http://www.nalc.org/