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Postal Service Mail Carriers - 43-5052.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Sort and deliver mail for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Deliver mail on established route by vehicle or on foot. Includes postal service mail carriers employed by USPS contractors.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • City Carrier
  • City Carrier Assistant (CCA)
  • City Letter Carrier
  • City Mail Carrier
  • Letter Carrier
  • Mail Carrier
  • Rural Carrier
  • Rural Carrier Associate (RCA)
  • Rural Mail Carrier
  • Rural Route Carrier

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Answer customers' questions about postal services and regulations.
  • Bundle mail in preparation for delivery or transportation to relay boxes.
  • Complete forms that notify publishers of address changes.
  • Deliver mail to residences and business establishments along specified routes by walking or driving, using a combination of satchels, carts, cars, and small trucks.
  • Enter change of address orders into computers that process forwarding address stickers.
  • Hold mail for customers who are away from delivery locations.
  • Leave notices telling patrons where to collect mail that could not be delivered.
  • Maintain accurate records of deliveries.
  • Meet schedules for the collection and return of mail.
  • Obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail, collect associated charges, and complete any necessary paperwork.
  • Provide customers with change of address cards and other forms.
  • Record address changes and redirect mail for those addresses.
  • Register, certify, and insure parcels and letters.
  • Report any unusual circumstances concerning mail delivery, including the condition of street letter boxes.
  • Return incorrectly addressed mail to senders.
  • Return to the post office with mail collected from homes, businesses, and public mailboxes.
  • Scan labels on letters or parcels to confirm receipt.
  • Sell stamps and money orders.
  • Sign for cash-on-delivery and registered mail before leaving the post office.
  • Sort mail for delivery, arranging it in delivery sequence.
  • Travel to post offices to pick up the mail for routes or pick up mail from postal relay boxes.
  • Turn in money and receipts collected along mail routes.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Arrange insurance coverage.
  • Collect deposits, payments or fees.
  • Deliver items.
  • Enter information into databases or software programs.
  • Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
  • Maintain financial or account records.
  • Obtain written authorization to perform activities.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Package objects for shipping.
  • Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
  • Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
  • Prepare outgoing mail.
  • Provide notifications to customers or patrons.
  • Record shipping information.
  • Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
  • Route mail to correct destinations.
  • Sell products or services.
  • Sort mail.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Courier (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Independent Duty Postal Clerk (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Logistics Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Logistics Specialist (Submarine) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Postal Clerk (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Postal Clerk (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Postal Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Postal Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Storekeeper (Coast Guard - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Mail Carrier
  • Rural Mail Carrier