Mail Carriers generally travel planned routes delivering and collecting mail.

JOB DUTIES

Mail Carriers may:

Arrange mail in order of delivery

"Sign for" the registered, insured, and C.O.D. mail that requires patrons' signatures and the exchange of money

Deliver the mail to residences and businesses along a set route either on foot in urban areas or in a car or small truck in suburban or rural areas

Collect postage due and C.O.D. fees

Obtain signed receipts from patrons for registered, certified, and sometimes insured mail

Accept letters for mailing from patrons and gather mail from street collection boxes to return to the post office

Turn in mail receipts and money collected during the day

Answer customers' questions about postal regulations and service

Provide change-of-address cards and other postal forms on request

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Mail Carriers may specialize in these areas:

230.367-010 MAIL CARRIERS generally travel planned routes delivering and collecting mail.

230.363-010 RURAL-MAIL CARRIERS not only deliver and collect mail outside of city or town limits but sell stamps and money orders and accept parcels and letters to be registered or insured as well.

Mail Carriers may deliver special types of mail and be known as Parcel Post Carriers or Special-Delivery Carriers.

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

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Depending on the size of the post office, Mail Carriers work under the supervision of supervisors or postmasters. Mail Carriers work outdoors in all types of weather. Dogs and slippery sidewalks and stairs are hazards for Mail Carriers. They must also lift heavy sacks of mail or parcel post packages when loading their vehicles.

Carriers may begin as substitutes and become regular of full-time Carriers as vacancies occur. As their experience increases, Carriers may get preferred delivery routes.

Full-time city Carriers work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Some work nights, and some begin work as early as 4 A.M. Rural Mail Carriers work either a 5- or 6-day week. Overtime is common during the Christmas holiday season.

Carriers are required to wear uniforms for which they receive an annual allowance.

Most Mail Carriers belong to the National Association of Letter Carriers or the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association. Mail Carriers who belong to unions are required to pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a routine, concrete, organized nature

• Activities involving business contact with people

• Activities dealing with things and objects

You Should Be Able To:

• Repeat activities or tasks according to a required routine procedure

• Read and sort mail rapidly and accurately

• See details/errors in numbers/spelling on mail/postal service charts

• Memorize mail distribution systems

Mail Carriers must be at least 18 yrs. old and pass a U.S. Postal Service exam. The examination consists of 4 parts which tests the applicants' clerical accuracy, ability to memorize mail distribution systems, reading ability, and ability to do simple arithmetic. If their job involves driving, they must also have a driver's license, a good driving record, and pass a road test. In addition, applicants must pass a physical exam and drug screening before appointment and may be asked to show they can lift and handle mail sacks.

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you have to deliver a COD package that is $15.07 and the customer gives you a $20.00 bill, how much change should he or she receive from you?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Postage rates shall be determined by the origin, point of destination, manner of deportment, establishment of poundage, criteria for insurance and impermeability of the casing.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any problems that you may have had during the day as you delivered and picked up mail.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best route to take so you can complete your work as fast as possible.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or 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***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***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***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***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 damage 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 and mathematics. 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 may become superintendents of postal centers.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

There are a number of ways to explore or gain experience in postal work. Part-time workers are employed to replace absent workers and to help out during busy periods. Part-time employment is also available on a seasonal basis during the Christmas rush period and, to a lesser extent, during the summer. These employees are referred to as "casuals". They must take the U.S. Postal Service examination and are not allowed to work more than two (2) ninety-day appointments in one calendar year.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Mail Carrier employer

internships

volunteer work with a Mail Carrier employer

community service work with an agency

If interested in a postal career, applicants should apply at the nearest management sectional center office which maintains 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  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

Michigan Works!

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

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Full-time Mail Carriers are paid a yearly salary whereas part-time employees are paid an hourly rate. It takes 12.4 years for Mail Carriers to reach the maximum rate. This rate is reached by 13 regular raises during the 12.4 year period if work is satisfactory. Annual wages, including a cost-of living allowance for Mail Carriers (Postal Service - 5 level) both nationally and in Michigan, were (1999):

The median weekly salary of all postal service Mail Carriers was $681 or $17.03 per hour in 1998.

Mail Carriers receive an additional 10% pay for work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Rural Mail Carriers also receive a mileage allowance for the use of their automobiles, based on the size of their route.

Mail Carriers receive 13 to 26 days of paid vacation and 13 days of sick leave per year. Other benefits include paid holidays; life, health, and disability insurance; survivorship annuities; and a retirement plan. These benefits are paid for, at least in part, by the Postal Service.

Postal employees are eligible for promotion to all positions within their local post offices. In most cases, they are also eligible for supervisory positions outside their local post offices. However, opportunities for advancement in the postal service are fairly limited. Most continue working in the jobs to which they were first appointed.

Many Mail Carriers begin as part-time employees and become full-time Carriers as vacancies occur. With experience, Mail Carriers may get preferred assignments. Some 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.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, approximately 331,600 Mail Carriers were employed in 1996. Employment of Mail Carriers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Some openings will occur to replace Mail Carriers who retire or stop working for other reasons.

Factors influencing Carriers' employment include greater use of telephones and other ways of distributing ads. Increased use of cheaper private delivery systems by businesses and the instant electronic transfer of printed material over telephone lines will also affect the need for Mail Carriers. In recent years, the number of applicants for Mail Carrier positions has greatly exceeded the number of available openings. This situation is expected to continue. Thus, applicants should anticipate keen competition.

There were approximately 12,675 Mail Carriers employed in Michigan. They all worked for the U.S. Postal Service. Most were employed in urban areas.

The employment of Mail Carriers in Michigan is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 470 annual openings is anticipated through the year 2005, with 130 due to growth and 340 due to replacement of those who retire, die, or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Despite more efficient mail delivery procedures more Mail Carriers will be needed because of population growth and expansion of suburban areas. The best opportunities will be found in areas with rapid population growth.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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