Carrier Job Description

Mail is not just electronic.

You might get glimpses of what your mail carrier does--drives or walks around neighborhoods and delivers mail. The mail carrier's task probably seems simple, revolving around just delivering the mail. But, there is more to the job. A mail carrier must multi-task throughout the day, and serve as the link between the post office and the public.

Types

There are two main types of mail carriers: city and rural. A city mail carrier can deliver on foot or by
truck. The city delivery route is divided by blocks and commercial or industrial areas, and can be rotated
between drivers. A rural mail carrier always delivers by car, as distances over five miles are travelled.

Sorting and Preparation

The mail carrier arrives to the main station, where the mail that is to be delivered has been sorted into boxes by mail clerks. If delivering on foot, a carrier loads a mail bag and sets out for delivery. If delivering by truck, the carrier takes the sorted mail out to the truck. The carrier must sort the boxes in the truck to match the particular stops. The process is similar for rural drivers, except that a personal vehicle is used instead of a truck.

Delivery

If on foot, mail is delivered by block, and the carrier returns and repeats if necessary. When delivering by truck, a carrier parks the truck at the end of a block, and walks the route if the stops are condensed. If a city mail route has stops with a distance between them that would prohibit walking, only the truck is used. Rural carriers never leave their vehicles, unless road conditions force them.

Collection

Throughout the delivery process, a carrier might come across mail, either in the box or coming directly from a customer, that is marked to send. The carrier is responsible for taking this mail back to the main station. Along the route, a carrier might have to collect money for packages, such as a cash on delivery
(COD) delivery.

Processing

Returning to the station, a carrier brings back mail that was marked to send, mail that was not delivered because of a lack of signature or wrong address, and any payments or receipts received. The carrier may further sort the returned mail, or hand it over to the mail clerks.

References

• Federal Job: Mail Carrier Position
• Carrier Planner: Mail Carrier
• US Postal Service: City Letter Carriers (pdf)
• The Job Explorer: Mail Carrier
• Letter Carrier Network: Duties (pdf)