U.S. Postal Service Mail Handler Job Description
United States Postal Service (USPS) mail handlers are sometimes referred to as mail carriers, letter carriers, rural mail carriers, or city mail carriers. As employees for the USPS, the second largest civilian employer in the United States, mail handlers have the distinguished responsibility of ensuring the delivery of mail throughout the entire country from the most isolated town in Alaska to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
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Responsibilities
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Mail handlers are responsible for delivering mail to residential and business establishments; sorting and organizing mail for future delivery; collecting mail from customers along their routes and returning it to the post office; collecting cash-on-delivery (COD) fees and turning in all collected money and receipts; obtaining signed receipts for insured, certified and registered mail; recording address changes and redirecting mail as indicated; leaving notices for customers who are not home to receive their packages; and other related tasks.
Requirements
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Although there are no specific educational requirements, all applicants must meet several other prerequisites to qualify for a position as a USPS mail handler, including successfully passing a written examination, a criminal history background check, a drug screening test and a physical examination; being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien; being at least 18 years of age; having a safe driving record; and being able to lift and carry at least 70 pounds.
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Working Conditions
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Depending on their routes, mail handlers spend much of their time outdoors delivering mail by walking or driving in varying conditions, including extreme temperatures, severe weather conditions, and hazards such as icy roads, slippery sidewalks or unfriendly dogs. In addition, because mail delivery involves repetitive hand and arm movements, frequent bending and stooping, and lifting heavy packages and sacks of mail, they are also at risk for personal injuries.
Salary
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The national annual median wage for a U.S. postal mail carrier was $52,680 according to wage data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. As a federal government employee, mail carriers also benefit from secure retirement plans, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), holiday and leave pay, comprehensive health benefits and life insurance.
Job Outlook
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A slight decrease (approximately 1 percent) in the employment of USPS mail carriers is expected through 2018. The decline is attributed to several factors, including an increase in the use of electronic and online communication, the continuing improvement of automated sorting and processing systems, and an increase in alternative delivery systems.
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- Photo Credit american Mail box and freeway sign image by Ashle Whittle from Fotolia.com
