Description
Perform any combination of tasks in a United States Postal Service (USPS) post office, such as receive letters and parcels; sell postage and revenue stamps, postal cards, and stamped envelopes; fill out and sell money orders; place mail in pigeon holes of mail rack or in bags; and examine mail for correct postage. Includes postal service clerks employed by USPS contractors.
- • Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.
- • Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.
- • Obtain signatures from recipients of registered or special delivery mail.
- • Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.
- • Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.
- • Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.
- • Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.
- • Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.
- • Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.
- • Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.
- • Cash money orders.
- • Rent post office boxes to customers.
- • Put undelivered parcels away, retrieve them when customers come to claim them, and complete any related documentation.
- • Provide customers with assistance in filing claims for mail theft, or lost or damaged mail.
- • Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.
- • Receive letters and parcels, and place mail into bags.
- • Feed mail into postage canceling devices or hand stamp mail to cancel postage.
- • Transport mail from one work station to another.
- • Order retail items and other supplies for office use.
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Public Service & Safety
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
