Postal Service Clerks

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This occupation is part of the Office and Administrative Support cluster

About the Job

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.

It is also Called

  • Accountable Clerk
  • Assistant
  • Bulk Mail Clerk
  • Bulk Mail Entry Unit Technician (BMEU Tech)
  • Bulk Mail Technician
  • Business Mail Entry Clerk
  • Clerk
  • Counter Clerk
  • Delivery Clerk
  • Distribution Clerk

What They Do

  • Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
  • Weigh letters and parcels; compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination; and affix correct postage.
  • Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
  • Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
  • Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
  • Check mail in order to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
  • Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
  • Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.
  • Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.
  • Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: CR.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Conventional interests, but also prefer Realistic environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Support and Working Conditions in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • 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.
  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • 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.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Education Required

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $51,080 with most people making between $47,750 and $54,260

Outlook

0.00%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 7,400 people in California. It is projected that there will be 3,700 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 0 openings due to growth and about 180 replacement openings for approximately 180 total annual openings.

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