Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Onet SOC Code 43-5053.00 Career Description: Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Examine, sort, and route mail by State, type of mail, or other scheme. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks; and other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Must complete a competitive exam. Related Clusters: Programs of Study Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Career Summary:

• Experience- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
• Education- These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
• Job Training- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
• Examples- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Move containers of mail, using equipment such as forklifts and automated "trains."
• Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.
• Accept and check containers of mail from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
• Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
• Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.
• Dump sacks of mail onto conveyors for culling and sorting.
• Serve the public at counters or windows, such as by selling stamps and weighing parcels.
• Supervise other mail sorters.
• Train new workers.
• Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
• Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
• Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
• Clear jams in sorting equipment.
• Check items to ensure that addresses are legible and correct, that sufficient postage has been paid or the appropriate documentation is attached, and that items are in a suitable condition for processing.
• Open and label mail containers.
• Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
• Weigh articles to determine required postage.
• Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment.
• Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website