Postal Job Descriptions

USPS Jobs - Postal Carrier

Description: Delivers and collects mail on foot or by vehicle providing customer service in a prescribed area, outdoors in all types of weather. Carriers may be required to carry mailbags on their shoulders. A mailbag full of mail can weigh up to 35 pounds. Carriers have to load and unload trays and containers of mail and parcels weighing up to 70 pounds. Carrier duties require prolonged standing, walking, and reaching. City carrier applicants must have a current valid state driver’s license, a safe driving record, and at least two years of documented driving experience.

After the mail has been processed and sorted, Postal Service mail carriers deliver mail, to residences and businesses in cities, towns, and rural areas. Carriers are classified as either city or rural, depending on their type of route, but both types share similar duties. In the early morning, mail carriers arrange their mail in delivery sequence at the Post Office. The mail carriers then travel established routes, delivering and collecting mail by either foot, vehicle or a combination of both. Mail carriers also collect money for postage-due and COD fees and obtain signed receipts for registered mail. At the end of their routes, mail carriers return to the post office and turn in their collected mail, receipts, and money collected during the day.

Rural carriers perform similar duties to city carriers, but also provide a wider range of postal services such as selling stamps and registering parcels and letters. Both city and rural carriers provide a high level of customer service including answering customers’ questions about postal regulations and services and providing change-of-address cards and other postal forms when requested.

Postal Exam: Postal Carriers must take and pass the 473 Postal Exam.

USPS Jobs - Mail Processing Clerk

Description: Postal Service mail processors prepare mail for distribution at post offices and at mail processing centers. Mail processing clerks may also be referred to as mail handlers, distribution clerks, or mail processors. They operate and monitor automated mail processing equipment and manually sort mail. They also load and unload postal trucks and move mail with forklifts, small electric tractors, or hand-pushed carts.

Postal Exam: Mail Processing Clerks must take and pass the 473 Postal Exam. 

USPS Jobs - Postal Clerk

Description: The Postal Services employs many associates who provide sales, customer service and distribution services. These associates provide direct sales and customer support services in a retail environment and perform mail distribution. Postal Service clerks sell stamps, money orders, postal stationery, and mailing envelopes and boxes in post offices. Postal clerks also weigh packages to determine postage and check that packages are in appropriate condition for mailing. These clerks register, certify, and insure mail and answer questions about postage rates, post office boxes, and mailing restrictions.

Postal Exam: Postal Clerks must take and pass the 473 Postal Exam.