Postal Processing Careers: Sorters, Processors, Operators

Also called: Assorter, Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Dead Mail Checker, Distribution Clerk

Postal Processing Careers: Sorters, Processors, Operators

Varies

estimated salary

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators 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.

  • 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.
  • Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
  • Train new workers.
  • Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting.
  • Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
  • Weigh articles to determine required postage.
  • Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
  • Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
Work Context
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Time Pressure — 88% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 66% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 80% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 85% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Standing — 49% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 75% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Route mail to correct destinations.
  • Package objects for shipping.
  • Route mail to correct destinations.
  • Train personnel.
  • Distribute incoming mail.
  • Operate computers or computerized equipment.
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Knowledge

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

Skills

Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Abilities

Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Manual Dexterity
  • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Static Strength
  • The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Perceptual Speed
  • The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Delivery Operations Information System DOIS Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Address Management System AMS
  • Directory software
Point of sale POS software
  • NCR Advanced Store
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