Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

What this job is

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

What they do day to day

• Clear jams in sorting equipment.
• Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
• Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
• Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
• Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
• Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
• Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
• Open and label mail containers.
• Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
• Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.

Skills and knowledge that matter most

Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).

Education and preparation

Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.

Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.

Who this job suits

Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.

Job titles you'll see in postings

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