Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.89
• Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.88
• Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.88
• Clear jams in sortation equipment.87
• Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.85
• Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.84
• Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.83
• Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.82
• Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools.82
• Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions.82
• Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.80
• Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.80

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Critical Thinking50

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Monitoring50

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Reading Comprehension50

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Speaking50

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management50

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Active Listening47

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Coordination47

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Judgment and Decision Making47

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Operation and Control47

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Operations Monitoring47

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Writing47

  Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Social Perceptiveness44

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Customer and Personal Service71

  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• English Language59

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Mathematics49

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Education and Training39

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Law and Government39

  Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

• Administrative38

  Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

• Administration and Management36

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Public Safety and Security32

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Transportation27

  Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

• Computers and Electronics25

  Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

• Communications and Media21

  Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

• Economics and Accounting21

  Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Near Vision60

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Oral Comprehension56

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Category Flexibility53

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Finger Dexterity53

  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

• Information Ordering53

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Manual Dexterity53

  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

• Speech Recognition53

  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

• Written Comprehension53

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Arm-Hand Steadiness50

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Deductive Reasoning50

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Oral Expression50

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Problem Sensitivity50

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Performing General Physical Activities69

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Handling and Moving Objects68

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates65

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Getting Information65

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Controlling Machines and Processes63

  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events61

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials60

  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

• Processing Information57

  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

• Working with Computers57

  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships56

  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Assisting and Caring for Others53

  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems52

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability72

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail70

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Integrity38

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Cautiousness33

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Cooperation27

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Stress Tolerance21

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

• Self-Control15

  A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in response to criticism or difficult situations at work.

• Perseverance13

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Achievement Orientation10

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Humility6

  A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.

• Initiative5

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

• Sincerity5

  A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, without concern for personal gain or self-interest.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Conventional91

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Realistic50

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Enterprising19

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social17

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Investigative0

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day99%

• Telephone Conversations

  • Every day89%

• E-Mail

  • Every day86%

• Frequency of Decision Making

  • Every day81%
  • Once a week or more but not every day12%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others79%
  • Contact with others most of the time12%

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day75%
  • Once a month or more but not every week20%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important68%
  • Very important21%

• Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

  • A lot of freedom54%
  • Some freedom34%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important67%
  • Important25%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • More than half the time15%

• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

  • Very important25%
  • Not important at all11%

• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

  • Important results26%
  • Moderate results24%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Less than high school diploma
• Associate’s degree or other 2-year degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Electronic mail software

  Email software, Microsoft Outlook

• Presentation software

  Microsoft PowerPoint

• Data base user interface and query software

  Microsoft Access, Recordkeeping software

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Accounting software

  Financial accounting software

• Document management software

  Adobe Acrobat

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Internet browser software

  Web browser software

• Mailing and shipping software

  Postal Explorer

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Mail Systems Management Association
• National Postal Mail Handlers Union

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Postal Service Clerks
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
• Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
• Postal Service Mail Carriers
• Couriers and Messengers
• Data Entry Keyers
• Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
• Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Office Clerks, General
• File Clerks
• Miscellaneous managers, including funeral service managers and postmasters and mail superintendents
• Packers and Packagers, Hand
• Cashiers
• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping
• Receptionists and Information Clerks
• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Unload materials or equipment.
• Verify shipping documentation.
• Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements.
• Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
• Sort mail.
• Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
• Obtain written authorization to perform activities.
• Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
• Adjust office equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
• Package objects for shipping.
• Route mail to correct destinations.

Registered apprenticeship program titles associated with this occupation.

• Mailer