What does a Mail Clerk do?
Mail processing clerks work as postal support employees for the U.S Postal Service where they sort and prepare mail for distribution by mail carriers by hand or machine. They are responsible for loading and operating machinery involved in the machine processing, sorting, and canceling of items. They sort and organize mail for delivery and prepare mail to load into carrier and postal trucks while ensuring to pack parcels in a delivery route’s chronological order. They bundle, label, and route mail depending upon the destination as well as established guidelines or special services including Next Day Air or registered mail and help unload mail trucks when a route ends.
Mail processing clerks operate optical character readers including scanning equipment and assist customers with inquiries and concerns. If a package or a letter is damaged or broken, mail processing clerks fix them to make them eligible for shipment. They check each item’s address for legibility and place mail onto conveyors where they are coded and sorted, and if machines break, mail processing clerks oversee their repair and maintenance. They assist customers by weighing parcels to determine postage costs and sometimes operate forklifts and trains to move large boxes and mail items. Mail processing clerks need a high-school diploma, basic computer and arithmetic skills, and a valid driver's license.
- Run postage and prepare outgoing mail for pick up.
- Feed preprints into insert machine hopper neatly and accurately.
- Assist with communication and promotion of events and activities.
- Receive, processes, and ensure document classification are completed and transmitted to clients.
- Help prepare mail, which includes sorting, stacking and stacking on pallets.
- Perform general clean up of papers, skids and debris that accumulate during the workday.
- Above average problem-solving skills necessary to monitor and repair automatic inserting and collating equipment.
- Ensure transmission of processed data to the appropriate next level.
- Processing outgoing mail/vendor payments for mailing on a daily basis.
- Initiate and nurture effective, professional relationships with internal and external contacts.
- Oversee daily intake, resolution and routing of large volumes of mail.
- Associate's degree in computer science or technology.
- Proficient with collating, metering, and copying.
- Requires careful attention to detail.
- Must have good manual dexterity.
- Strong command of English language and good communication skills.
Mail Clerk Salaries
Average Base Pay
Mail Clerk Career Path
Learn how to become a Mail Clerk, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Mail Clerk Insights
Faneuil“First major problem I had with the job was that the training and orientation was rushed.”
Toll Group“Seeing not much room for career progress since the business is shrinking therefore not much opportunities inside”
Computershare“My managers are very nice and understanding and I couldn't ask for better.”
Warehouse Cinemas“It was a fun and energetic place to work.”
Australia Post“Good Pay and hours and safe.”
DATAMARK (Texas)“I love the hours and flexibility of the schedule allowing me to pick a some overtime hours if needed.”
Royal Mail“And I worked with some really great staff”
Superior Medical Management“Good good good good good”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Mail Clerk
- Administrator On Duty
- Office Administrator
- Administrative Assistant
- Office Manager