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Michigan Occupational Information System
#090 - POSTAL CLERK

Postal Clerks are responsible for organizing the huge amount of mail that goes through post offices. Most Postal Clerks are Mail handlers (also called distribution clerks) who sort incoming and outgoing mail in workrooms. Others are Post Office Clerks who provide direct customer service at counters.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Mail Handlers may:

Sort mail into groups, such as letters, newspapers, magazines and parcel post

Feed letters into stamp-canceling machines or canceling by hand

Sort mail according to destination by hand or by the use of an electronic mail sorting machine

Operate an optical scanning devise to sort mail by bar code

Post Office Clerks may:

Sell postage stamps, stamped envelopes, and money orders

Register and insure mail

Determine mailing costs according to weight and destination

Put mail into boxes or bags according to state, address, name of person, organization, or other scheme

Examine mail for correct postage and to see if it wrapped properly

Record daily transactions

Receive complaints about mail theft, delivery, lost mail, and damages

Answer questions about postage rates, mail delivery, and mail registration of aliens

Post circulars on bulletin boards for public information

Assist the public in complying with federal regulations such as the registration of aliens

Assist persons in completing passport applications, witness signatures and accept completed passport applications

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Postal Clerks may specialize in these areas:

209.687-014 MAIL HANDLERS sort mail into groups, such as letters, newspapers, etc.; sort mail according to destination by hand or by machine; and feed letters into stamp canceling machines or cancel by hand.

243.367-014 POST-OFFICE CLERKS receive letters and parcels and sell stamps, post cards, and stamped envelopes in a government contracted post office station. In small post offices, Clerks may perform the duties of both Mail Handlers and Post-Office Clerks.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Postal Clerks may have frequent contact with fellow workers and the public. Depending on the size of the post office, Postal Clerks are supervised by mail supervisors or postmasters. Postal Clerks work indoors in post offices that generally are well lighted, well ventilated, and well heated. Their working conditions vary according to their specific work assignments and the amount and kind of labor saving machinery in the post office where they are employed. Postal Clerks stand most of the time to perform their tasks. Most Postal Clerks work in the 300 mail processing centers located throughout the country to service post offices in the surrounding areas.

Most postal employees work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Postal Clerks may have to work at night, or on weekends because most large post offices process mail 24 hours a day. Overtime is common for postal employees during the Christmas rush period.

Postal Clerks and distribution clerks who work at windows or have frequent contact with the public are required to wear uniforms. They receive an annual allowance to defray the cost of the uniforms. Most postal workers belong to The American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO or the National Postal Mail Handlers Union. Postal Clerks who belong to unions are required to pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

• Activities which allow little room for independent judgment

• Activities involving business contact with people

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform arithmetical operations quickly and accurately

• See details

• Recognize errors in numbers/spelling in mail/postal charts/tables

• Memorize mail distribution systems

• Read and sort mail rapidly and accurately

• Work with others and deal effectively with customers

• Repeat tasks of short duration according to set procedures

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

What would be the total cost of 3 books of stamps and mailing one package weighing 2 lbs. to Mexico?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You should be able to read and understand addresses to and from places all around the world.

Example:

Ms. Hair Yamaguchi

3-13 Tsukiji 5-Chome

Chuo-Ku

Tokyo 104

Japan

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Write out a bill after determining the price of a package being mailed to Japan that weighs 7 lbs.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

When sorting the mail you need to be able to think quickly and accurately to be able to place the mail in the proper pile for delivery.

Postal Clerks must be at least 18 years old and pass a U.S. Postal Service examination that tests clerical accuracy. Applicants must also be drug free and pass a physical examination. They also may have to show that they can lift and handle heavy mail sacks. Persons who work with an electronic sorting machine must pass an exam that includes a machine aptitude test.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job training provided by the employer and a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS, 0700,CAREERS, 0900 COMMUNICATIONS, 1100 ECONOMICS, 1300 ENGLISH, 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

Although individuals might enter this occupation through apprenticeship training, currently no apprenticeship programs for this occupation are available in Michigan. For more information, contact the Bureau or Apprenticeship and Training found in the Sources Of More Information below.

An extensive listing of other information sources can also be found in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Item.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at  http://www.myfuture.com .

POSTAL SPECIALISTS 

The military operates its own postal service for official military communications and messages. In addition, it delivers mail to thousands of service men and women all over the world. Postal specialists process incoming and outgoing mail between military and civilian postal systems. They also sell stamps and money orders and provide services to postal customers.

What They Do  

Postal specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Process mail using metering and stamp-canceling machines

• Weigh packages, using scales, to determine postage due

• Examine packages to ensure that they meet mailing standards

• Process and sort registered, certified, and insured mail

• Receive payment for and issue money orders and stamps

• Prepare postal reports and claims for lost or damaged mail

Training Provided 

Job training consists of 3 to 4 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Post office operations and procedures

• Mail and postal item processing and sorting

• Domestic and international mail delivery procedures

• Use of metering, stamp canceling, and other machines

• Postal reports and the processing of customer claims and complaints

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful Attributes  

Helpful school subjects include English, math, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

• Courteous manner and patience

• Ability to check names and numbers with speed and accuracy

• Preference for work requiring attention to detail

Physical Demands  

Postal specialists may have to lift and carry heavy sacks of mail or large packages.

Civilian Counterparts  

Civilian postal specialists work for the United States Postal Service and for private courier or express mail firms. They perform many of the same duties as military postal specialists. They are usually called postal clerks.

Work Environment  

Postal specialists work in post offices and mailrooms on land or aboard ships.

Opportunities  

The military has about 7,600 postal specialists. On average, the services need about 700 new specialists each year. After job training, they work alone in small mail rooms or with other postal specialists in larger postal centers. With experience they may help train new workers and may become supervisors of other postal specialists. Eventually, they become superintendents of postal centers.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs   

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

The post office hires part-time workers to replace absent workers and to help during rush seasons, such as Christmas. Experience may also be available in various branches of the military service. Although individuals might enter this occupation through apprenticeship training, currently no apprenticeship programs for this occupation are available in Michigan. See the apprenticeship file for sources of more information from the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Postal Clerk employer

internships

volunteer work with a Postal Clerk employer

community service work with an agency

If interested in a Postal Clerk position, apply at the nearest of the eight management sectional center offices that maintain lists of eligible candidates for employment in post offices in the area. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

Michigan Works!

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Full-time Postal Clerks are paid a yearly salary, while part-time employees are paid an hourly wage. It takes about 12 years for a Postal Clerk to reach maximum pay. This rate is approached by 4 regular raises during the 12-year period. These raises are automatic, provided the worker performs the job adequately.

Postal Workers are classed as casual, part-time flexible, part-time regular, or full-time employees. Casual workers do not have career status, while part-time workers do. Part-time workers may request full-time work as openings occur.

Wage (1999) for Postal Clerks both Nationally and in Michigan were:

*Includes cost-of-living allowance

Postal Clerks working between 6 PM and 6 AM receive an extra 10% pay. The median weekly salary of all Postal Clerks was $640 or $16.00 per hour in 1998.

The Postal Service offers paid holidays; life, health, and disability insurance; a retirement plan; and survivorship annuities. Postal Clerks also receive 13 to 26 paid vacation days and 13 days of sick leave a year. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the postal service.

Most Postal employees continue working in the jobs to which they were first appointed. However, they are eligible for promotion to other positions in the post office. A possible career ladder for Postal Clerks may be: part-time Postal Clerk; Postal Clerk; expediter or window service technician; supervisor.

Many Postal Clerks begin as part-time employees and become full-time Postal Clerks as vacancies occur. With experience, Postal Clerks may get preferred assignments, such as day shift or a window job. They may also advance to a higher level nonsupervisory position, such as expediter or window service technician. Some Postal Clerks become supervisors. In smaller post offices, opportunities for promotion to supervisory positions are limited. However, workers may increase their chances by applying for vacancies in a larger post office. A formal assessment system is used to select first-level supervisors on a competitive basis.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 71,400 Postal Clerks were employed in 1996. Employment of Postal Clerks is expected to increase more slowly than average for all occupations through the year 2006. Some openings will occur each year to replace those who change jobs, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons.

Increasingly, mail will be moved using automated materials-handling equipment and sorted using optical character readers, bar code sorters, and other automated sorting equipment. In spite of increased use of this productivity-increasing machinery, the expected increase in the volume of mail will require additional clerks. However, demand for window clerks will be moderated by the increased sales of stamps and other postal products by grocery and department stores and other retail outlets.

In recent years, the number of individuals who apply for Postal Clerk positions with the U.S. Postal Service has greatly exceeded the number of available openings. This situation is expected to continue. Thus, applicants should anticipate keen competition.

There are approximately 4,350 Postal Clerks employed in Michigan. All worked for the U.S. Postal Service in post offices. Employment of Postal Clerks was concentrated in urban areas where they worked in large sectional centers.

Employment of Postal Clerks in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 150 annual openings will occur, with 70 due to growth and 80 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Third class mail from businesses to households is expected to increase greatly. However, employment is not expected to grow significantly, as mail processing systems become more efficient. The installation of automated and electronic sorting and canceling devices will increase the efficiency of Postal Clerks. Also, other delivery systems such as United Parcel Service and Courier are competing with the postal service. In addition, fax machines and electronic mail (E-Mail) communicate messages more efficiently.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Postal Clerk can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development