Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

What the job really is

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-9051
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
• Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
• Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
• Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
• Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
• Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
• Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
• Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
• Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
• Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
• Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets.
• Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, 10-key calculators, Automated filing systems, Automatic envelope opening machines, Automatic envelope sealing machines

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Postal Service Clerks
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
• Couriers and Messengers
• Data Entry Keyers
• Stockers and Order Fillers
• Office Machine Operators, Except Computer

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.