POST OFFICE JOBS California Occupational Guide Number 449 Interest Area 7 1996
THE JOB
The United States Postal Service handles all of the first class mail, as well as most of the second and third class mail as well. It also has a large share of the "express delivery" market. The following occupations are described as they exist with the Postal Service.
DISTRIBUTION CLERKS operate highly efficient optical character readers (OCRs) and bar code sorters. An OCR reads the ZIP code on the letter and prints a bar code onto the mail. Bar code sorters then scan the code and sort the mail according to the ZIP code of the post office to which the letters will be delivered. Some post offices still use electronic sorting machines. These machines require that the mail be pre-read and pre-sorted to some extent. Clerks must sort odd-sized mail by hand when electronic sorting machines are used.
WINDOW CLERKS are responsible for efficient service at the front counter. As representatives of the Postal Service, they are expected to be pleasant and courteous to the public. They sell stamps, cards, envelopes, and money orders; weigh parcels and letters on a scale and compute the mailing costs. They register letters, fill out necessary forms, and collect fees. Other duties include the delivery of special mail to patrons who present "Attempt to Deliver" notices, interpretation of postal regulations or rules as necessary, and assistance with alien registration. They must keep the money drawer in order and leave a balanced account at the end of their shift. In rural areas, Window Clerks may work in retail stores contracted by the Postal Service.
MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS drive mail trucks on a scheduled route to transport mail in bulk. They pick up and deliver large quantities of mail at stations, branch offices, and terminal points, pick up mail from collection boxes, and deposit mail in relay boxes. They operate vehicles in conformance with time schedules and safety rules and according to instructions regarding their routes. Motor Vehicle Operators must check the condition of trucks before leaving and upon returning to the garage and report all accidents, mechanical defects, and mechanical failures. While on route, they may make minor mechanical repairs to their trucks.
MAIL HANDLERS load, unload, move, and process mail. After unloading mail delivered by trucks, they separate mail for dispatch to conveying units or for delivery to distribution areas. Mail Handlers put processed mail into sacks and load them onto trucks. They cancel stamps on parcel post, operate letter-size stamp-canceling machines, and carry mail from these machines to distribution cases. Mail Handlers may also be required to operate computerized scanning equipment, act as armed guards for valuable registry shipments or as guards around the post office building, operate a fork-lift, or re-wrap soiled or broken parcels.
LETTER CARRIERS are responsible for efficient, prompt delivery and collection of mail on foot or by vehicle in an assigned area. They take mail from the distribution case, place it in a sequence for efficient delivery, then prepare the mail to be carried by truck to relay boxes along the route of delivery. In the office, carriers enter change of address orders into a computer that processes forwarding address stickers. After completing these tasks, carriers deliver mail along a prescribed and scheduled route and pick up additional mail from relay boxes. They collect mail from street letter boxes and accept letters for mailing. Carriers collect money for postage due, cash on delivery (COD) fees, and obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail. They may furnish patrons with postal information and provide change of address cards and other forms. They report to the supervisor any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
SPECIAL DELIVERY MESSENGERS deliver special-delivery or express mail on foot or by vehicle. They sign out for COD and registered mail before leaving the post office. Delivering this mail, they collect necessary signatures, and/or fees. They determine whether to leave mail for absent addressees or leave notices and return the mail to the post office. Receipts or money collected is turned over to the supervisor.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions vary with work assignments and type of machinery used. The work requires much walking, lifting, standing, stretching, and reaching. Clerks must be able to work speedily and accurately and must have good eye-hand coordination. Carriers spend most of their time outdoors and work in many different kinds of weather. Letter Carriers and Window Clerks have continual direct contact with the public. Letter Carriers and Window Clerks are required to wear uniforms for which they receive an annual allowance.
The postal employees discussed in this guide may belong to the American Postal Workers Union; the National Association of Letter Carriers, or the National Post Office Mail Handlers, Watchmen, Messengers and Group Leaders Division of the Laborers International Union of North America. Union membership is voluntary.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.
POSTAL MAIL CARRIERS Estimated number of workers in 1993 35,140 Estimated number of workers in 2005 31,670 Projected Growth 1993-2005 -10% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 10,860
POSTAL SERVICE CLERKS Estimated number of workers in 1993 7,210 Estimated number of workers in 2005 6,820 Projected Growth 1993-2005 - 5% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 1,650
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
New technology, competition from mail sorting companies, budgetary constraints, electronic scanning and sorting equipment all contribute to the reduced number of US Postal Workers. There are still some mail- handling jobs that are done manually. It is anticipated that these jobs will diminish as electronic technology be comes more prevalent.
There are many post office jobs, such as Letter Carrier, that will not be changed by computer technology and will remain much the same through the coming years. Post offices will hire a considerable number of Letter Carriers in the coming years to replace the workers who leave the occupation permanently.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Wages are as follows: Level 4 (Mail Handler), $24,500 to $35,900; Level 5, (Letter Carrier and Motor Vehicle Operator), $26,600 to $36,850; and Level 6 (Distribution Clerk/Machinery), $27,625 to $37,850.
Rural-Mail Carriers are on a different pay scale. Their wages fall within a broad range, depending on seniority and workload. Wages range from $20,780 to $45,200 per year. Rural-mail Carriers also receive an equipment maintenance allowance of approximately 34¢ per mile or $13.60 per day, whichever is greater, when required to use their own vehicles on their routes.
Window Clerks and Letter Carriers work the day shift, including Saturdays. Other workers may be required to work any of three shifts, including weekends and holidays. All who work between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. receive a 10% differential in pay. Only very large facilities operate on a 24-hour basis. Fringe benefits include paid sick leave, vacation, holiday leave, life insurance, and low-cost health insurance.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Experience is not generally required, and most training is on-the-job. All prospective employees must pass a written examination. In addition, all candidates must pass a physical examination prior to appointment. Employees who drive a postal vehicle must possess a valid California Driver's License and must pass the Postal Service Road Test. These workers must also secure the appropriate Government Operator's Permit. Letter Carriers usually begin as substitute carriers.
ADVANCEMENT
Advancement in the Postal Service can be achieved in three ways. (1) Employees may "bid" for a more desirable position within their classification. New assignments are given on the basis of qualifications and seniority. This may be considered a promotion. (2) Employees may take exams for positions at a higher level. (3) Supervisory positions are filled without a formal examination. Instead, candidates submit written self-evaluations of their qualifications. Employee evaluations submitted by current supervisors are also considered. These two evaluations are used by the examining committee as the basis for selection.
FINDING THE JOB
Post office jobs are filled by Postal Service exams. The announcements for various postal exams are posted at local post offices and offices of the California Employment Development Department. Exam information is also available at the Federal Job Information Centers located in major metropolitan areas.
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Mail Handler 209.687-014 Rural Mail Carrier 230.363-010 Mail Carrier 230.367-010 Post Office Clerk 243.367-014 Truck Driver, Light 906.683-022 Material Handler 929.687-030
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Postal Mail Carriers 573050 Postal Service Clerks 573080 Truck Drivers, Light 971050 Freight, Material Movers -Hand, NEC 987990
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Home 
Job Key 
Wages 
Demand