While postal service clerks perform many tasks to support postal operations, they typically assist by directly serving customers. Generally, a clerk will sell postal services and mailing supplies, such as stamps, boxes and envelopes, as well as money orders and postal stationery. In addition, they may help process and sort mail as needed.
When creating your postal service clerk job description, you should include qualities and skills that are necessary for a candidate to succeed in the profession. Emphasize strong customer service skills and a friendly, approachable demeanor.
Moreover, be sure to mention that candidates should also be detail-oriented, as well as possess the appropriate strength and stamina to stand for long periods of time and perform some heavy lifting. Finally, they must pass a background check as well as the appropriate written exams. For some guidance and inspiration, we’ve provided an example postal service clerk job description below.
Postal Service Clerk Job Summary
Do you want to put your analytical and organizational skills, excellent customer service talents and detail-oriented focus to work? If you’re the type of professional who values accuracy, loves a fast-paced environment and desires the chance to help people on a daily basis, then you could be the perfect fit for our postal service clerk job opening. You will play an important role in the operations of one of the most vital government agencies in the country, using your communication and problem-solving skills to directly serve customers at a neighborhood facility. Besides putting your valuable talents to use, you’ll also benefit from a topnotch training program and advancement opportunities, as well as a competitive pay and benefits package.
Job Responsibilities
- Inspect incoming mail to ensure that correct postage is used and that packages and letters have been prepared in proper condition for mailing and transport
- Calculate mailing costs of letters, packages and parcels by weighing, computation, and proper classification by their type, weight and destination
- Attach correct postage, as well as proper labels if needed, to incoming mail presented by clients
- Sort incoming and outgoing mail by hand or with machines, and classify according to destination and type
- Answer customers’ questions about procedures, regulations, mailing methods and postage costs, as well as post office boxes, mailing supplies and other products provided by the Post Office
- Respond to customer complaints and problems by performing research as necessary, providing information and offering appropriate solutions
- Transfer pieces of mail between work stations to facilitate proper processing, sorting and delivery
- Verify recipient information for registered, certified or special delivery mail, and obtain signatures before dispensation
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- High school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Citizen of United States or U.S. territory, or permanent resident alien
- Comply with applicable Selective Service registration requirements
- Successfully pass appropriate United States Postal Service exams
- Ability to pass background check, drug screening and medical assessment
Preferred:
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Knowledge of clerical processes and procedures
Postal Service Clerk Job Responsibilities
While you may know that the postal service clerk job responsibilities section is one of the most important sections in your postal service clerk job description, you may not know the best way to format it. It should be a bullet list of responsibilities, each of which includes in-depth details of what you expect. Between six and eight bullet points are ideal to avoid making the list too short and vague or too long and intimidating. Additionally, making the first word of each bullet point a strong action verb makes it easier for candidates to understand what they will be doing if offered the position. It even allows them to picture themselves in the position, making them more excited to apply. The verbs used in the following examples are specific to this position and will help you when writing your postal service clerk job description.
- Sort incoming mail and packages for delivery
- Weigh all packages and letters, recording the information accurately and precisely
- Interact with customers, receiving mail, answering inquiries and providing information about mail delivery
- Provide change of address documentation and other forms to customers, explaining procedures to assist them
- Organize mail, arranging it by route in preparation for delivery
Postal Service Clerk Job Specifications
When writing the job qualifications and skills section, it will help readers if you separate the requirements into two categories: mandatory and preferred qualifications. It is normal for your postal service clerk job description to have requirements that are a deal-breaker, but others may be more lenient. Making it perfectly clear which fall into which categories will improve the responses you get to the opening. If done properly, the postal service clerk job specifications information can prevent a flood of unqualified applicants and ensure enough talented candidates apply.
Try to keep the qualifications section brief. It should be the shortest section in your postal service clerk job description, although this does not mean it is the least important section. The information you include will be determining who applies, so you should not write it haphazardly. Determine what the company is looking for and come up with a plan to ensure the right kind of candidate applies. The following samples demonstrate both mandatory and preferred requirements.
- Strong interpersonal skills, both written and verbal
- Organized and fully capable of fulfilling administrative responsibilities accurately
- Requires 2 years of experience working in mail delivery or as a clerk
- Must have a WPM of at least 60