Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, & Processing Machine Operators

conventional interests equipment distribution check labels direct items sort mail computer verify operating conditions clear jams

Automation Clerk, Distribution Clerk, Mail Handler, Mail Processor

What they do:
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.
On the job, you would:
  • Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  • Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  • Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • put together small parts with your fingers

Verbal

  • read and understand what is written
  • communicate by speaking

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • SAP software Hot Technology

Data base user interface and query software

  • Address Management System AMS
  • Directory software

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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