Postal Service Mail Carriers

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.94
• Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.93
• Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.92
• Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.91
• Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.90
• Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.90
• Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.89
• Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.87
• Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.86
• Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.85
• Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.85
• Maintain accurate records of deliveries.84

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

• Active Listening50

  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.

• Critical Thinking50

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

• Social Perceptiveness50

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

• Speaking50

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management47

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

• Coordination44

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Judgment and Decision Making41

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

• Monitoring41

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

• Reading Comprehension41

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Service Orientation41

  Actively looking for ways to help people.

• Complex Problem Solving31

  Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Operation and Control31

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

• Customer and Personal Service81

  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 Language56

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

• Public Safety and Security55

  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.

• Sales and Marketing54

  Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

• Transportation49

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

• Administration and Management47

  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.

• Production and Processing43

  Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

• Education and Training41

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

• Administrative37

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

• Mathematics34

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

• Geography32

  Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

• Personnel and Human Resources30

  Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• 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).

• Near Vision53

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

• 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.

• Category Flexibility50

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

• Oral Comprehension50

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

• 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.

• Speech Clarity50

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Speech Recognition50

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

• Trunk Strength50

  The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

• Written Comprehension50

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

• Control Precision47

  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

• Extent Flexibility47

  The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment80

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Performing General Physical Activities77

  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 Objects74

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

• Getting Information62

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

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public62

  Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

• Communicating with People Outside the Organization59

  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships49

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

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates48

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

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events48

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

• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings43

  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

• Documenting/Recording Information42

  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems40

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

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

• Dependability88

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

• Attention to Detail72

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

• Integrity69

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Perseverance53

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

• Cooperation51

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

• Stress Tolerance46

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

• Self-Control44

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

• Cautiousness43

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

• Social Orientation41

  A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.

• Sincerity35

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

• Optimism33

  A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even under difficult circumstances.

• Achievement Orientation26

  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.

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

• Conventional88

  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.

• Realistic43

  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.

• Enterprising32

  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.

• Social28

  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.

• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

  • Every day91%

• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

  • Every day88%

• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

  • Continually or almost continually70%
  • More than half the time25%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important65%
  • Very important20%
  • Important15%

• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

  • Extremely important51%
  • Very important32%
  • Important11%

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

  • Every day61%
  • Once a week or more but not every day22%

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

  • Continually or almost continually73%
  • Never13%

• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

  • Every day74%
  • Never20%

• Time Pressure

  • Every day62%
  • Once a week or more but not every day16%

• Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

  • Every day38%
  • Once a week or more but not every day44%
  • Once a year or more but not every month13%

• Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

  • Extremely important53%
  • Very important27%
  • Fairly important11%

• Frequency of Decision Making

  • Every day54%
  • Once a week or more but not every day13%
  • Once a month or more but not every week13%
  • Once a year or more but not every month11%

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

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Less than high school diploma
• Some college, no degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Data base user interface and query software

  Address Management System AMS, Automated Data Collection System ADCS, End of Run Report EOR

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  Delivery operations information system DOIS

• Operating system software

  Microsoft Windows

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Human resources software

  Time and Attendance Collection System TACS

• Time accounting software

  Electronic Time Clock ETC

• Map creation software

  Delivery Routing System DRS

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

• National Association of Letter Carriers
• National Rural Letter Carriers' Association

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Postal Service Clerks
• Couriers and Messengers
• Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
• Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators
• Miscellaneous managers, including funeral service managers and postmasters and mail superintendents
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Cargo and Freight Agents
• Dispatchers
• Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Customer Service Representatives
• Baggage Porters, Bellhops, and Concierges
• Stock Clerks and Order Fillers
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
• Office Clerks, General
• Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Enter information into databases or software programs.
• Collect deposits, payments or fees.
• Obtain written authorization to perform activities.
• Route mail to correct destinations.
• Sort mail.
• Deliver items.
• Arrange insurance coverage.
• Prepare outgoing mail.
• Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
• Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
• Record shipping information.
• Package objects for shipping.