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Post Office Jobs

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.