postalwork.net

Post Office Job Descriptions

How To Apply For Post Office Jobs

The mail carrier, clerk, and many other post office job occupations presented here are excerpted from Post Office Jobs.  The job descriptions show the tremendous diversity that the U.S. Postal Service, a Fortune 500 company, offers. Anyone interested in these jobs will need to take the 474 Virtual Assessment Test or the 475, 476, and 477 exams for other mail handler and sales associate positions when they first apply. Over half of all Postal Service workers began their career as a mail carrier or clerk after taking and passing an entrance exam.

For the majority of jobs, Postal Service employees get the first opportunity to apply for vacancies through what is called an internal merit promotion program. If the hiring manager determines that an insufficient pool of qualified applicants exists, or no qualified bidders (applicants) are selected for a vacancy, the agency advertises the job to the general public on their web site and through classified ads. They also post job announcements at hiring postal facilities. Not all jobs are filled through written exams. A number of jobs, including corporate and professional positions, are advertised direct to the public. Resumes and the PS Form 2591 ( Application for Employment) are accepted.

Job Description List

The job description for general delivery and other occupations are included on this site and there are occupational job descriptions, over thirty total, for major postal trades in the 5ht edition of Post Office Jobs. You will also find information on working conditions, employment, training, earnings, and other qualifications.

Clerk Jobs Clerk Job listings in the Private Sector

Automotive Technician

Performs routine and complex repairs and maintenance on all types of motor vehicles used in the postal fleet; troubleshoots and diagnoses more complex vehicle malfunctions using a variety of computerized test equipment; may provide assistance to lower level employees.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Diagnoses operating difficulties on a variety of vehicles and performs operational checks on engines; its major
supporting systems, parts, components, assemblies; including emissions systems, electrical, computer and electronic
controlled components.
2. Performs various computerized and electronic diagnostic tests using specialized equipment; interprets trouble codes and
other information from electronic scanners and test analyzers; uses reference materials such as service manuals and wiring
schematics to determine operational difficulties, drivability problems and evaluates performance efficiency.
3. Conducts visual and auditory vehicle inspections, road calls and road tests before and after maintenance and repairs;
annotates vehicle problems on work orders.
4. Provides technical guidance and instructions to mechanics and technicians on more difficult repairs and in the use of
specialized computer-aided diagnostic equipment.
5. Performs maintenance and repairs resulting from normal preventive maintenance inspections.
6. Prepares and updates vehicle records, maintains vehicle records; annotates labor time, parts and/or equipment and other
pertinent data on work orders.
7. Performs engine tune-ups; removes, replaces, adjusts, cleans parts, components, assemblies and accessories; uses a
variety of specialized test equipment to adjust systems and components to prescribed operating tolerances.
8. Troubleshoots malfunctioning vehicles resulting from road calls and identifies improperly functioning part(s) and repairs or
replaces.
9. Repairs and replaces major components including transmissions , differentials, brake systems, power assist units,
steering and suspension assemblies.
10. Performs other job related duties and responsibilities in support of primary duties.
11. Follows all established safety practices and procedures; complies with all postal, local, state and federal environmental
regulations and policies.

Custodian and Custodial Labor

Note: These positions are restricted to veteran preference eligibles.

Custodian duties include manual cleaning, housekeeping, and buildings and grounds maintenance. Custodial laborers perform manual labor in connection with the maintenance and cleaning of the buildings and grounds. All positions may include irregular hours.

General Qualifications: All applicants will be required to take a written examination. The examination and completion of forms will require approximately one hour and 30 minutes. Custodial positions require prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching and stooping. Employees must lift and carry heavy objects on level surfaces, on ladders and/or stairways. Custodial positions may require the use of hand tools and power cleaning equipment.

A qualification for postal employment is to be drug-free. This is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug screen. Applicants who qualify on the examination and are in the area of consideration for employment will be scheduled for the drug test.

Applicants must have vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters; glasses permitted.

Data Conversion Operator

Data Conversion Operators extract information from source documents, transfer that information to computer input forms, and enter data using a keyboard.

General Qualifications: All applicants will be required to take a written examination. The examination and completion of forms will require approximately two hours.

Applicants must have six months or equivalent of clerical or office machine operating experience, preferably on a data conversion machine. Typing is required.
A qualification for postal employment is to be drug-free. This is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug screen. Applicants who qualify on the examination and are in the area of consideration for employment will be scheduled for the drug-test.

Applicants must have vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters, corrective lenses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is desirable.

Applicants must be able to hear the conversational voice; hearing aids permitted.

Maintenance Positions

Maintenance positions require highly skilled and experienced individuals. All applicants must meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed on the job description.

General Qualifications: All applicants will be required to pass a three-hour written examination, complete a Candidate Supplemental Application booklet and successfully complete an interview. A qualification for postal employment is to be drug-free. This is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug screen. Applicants who qualify on the examination and are in the area of consideration for employment will be scheduled for the drug test.

Maintenance positions require prolonged standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching and stooping. Employees must lift and carry heavy objects on level surfaces, on ladders and/or stairways.

For positions requiring driving, applicants must have a valid state driver’s license and a safe driving record. They must be able to obtain a Government Motor Vehicle Operator’s Identification Card. Applicants may be required to qualify on industrial powered lifting equipment.

Applicants must have vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; glasses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is required.

Vehicle Operator / Tractor-Trailer Operator

Motor Vehicle Operators operate mail trucks to pick up and transport mail in bulk. Tractor-Trailer Operators operate heavy duty tractor-trailers either in over-the-road service, city shuttle service or trailer operations. May include irregular hours.

General Qualifications: Applicants for Motor Vehicle Operator and Tractor-Trailer Operator positions must have at least two years of driving experience, with at least one year of full-time experience (or equivalent) driving at least a seven-ton capacity truck or 24-passenger bus.

For Tractor-Trailer Operators, at least six months of the truck driving experience must be with tractor-trailers. Only driving experience in the United States, its possessions, territories, or in any United States military installation worldwide will be considered.

At the time of appointment, applicants must have a valid commercial driver’s license, with air brakes certification, for the type(s) of vehicle(s) used on the job from the state in which they live. After being hired, applicants must be able to obtain the appropriate certification to operate specific postal vehicles.

Applicants will be required to pass a two-hour and 30-minute written examination and must also complete forms detailing their employment history, driving record, and other qualifying factors, to demonstrate possession of the following abilities: 1) Ability to drive trucks safely. 2) Ability to drive under local conditions. 3) Ability to follow instructions and prepare trip and other reports.

A qualification for postal employment is to be drug-free. This is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug-screen. Applicants who qualify on the examination, and are in the area of consideration for employment, will be scheduled for the drug test.

Applicants must have a vision of at least 30/30 (Snellen) in one eye and 20/50 (Snellen) in the other eye and the ability to read, without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; corrective lenses permitted. Operators must also be able to hear the conversational voice, hearing aids permitted.

Processing, Distribution & Delivery Positions

General Qualifications: qualification for postal employment is to be drug-free. This is determined through the use of a urinalysis drug screen. Applicants who qualify on the examination and are in the area of consideration for employment will be scheduled for the drug test. All applicants will be required to take a written examination. The examination and completion of forms will require approximately two hours and fifteen minutes.

At the time of the examination, the applicant may select any or all of the seven different jobs listed below.

Job Choices:

How to Apply:

Visit our “Resource” page for direct links to the Postal Services recruiting site. You must apply on-line for mail carrier and handler positions.

Applicants will be notified by email after their initial application is accepted to take the required virtual assessment test online. You will have 72 hours to complete the online exam, the 474, and possibly the 475, 476 and/or 477 exams as required for the position applied for.

Also, explore and apply for all job vacancies in the government to improve you chance of employment.

City Carrier and Clerk

Clerks work indoors sorting and distributing mail. They may be required to work with the public selling stamps and weighing parcels, and are responsible for all money and stamps. May include irregular hours.

City Carriers collect and deliver mail in all kinds of weather, and walk and/or drive on their route. Carrier and clerk positions require prolonged standing, walking, reaching and the ability to lift 70 pounds. Carriers are also required to carry a mail bag weighing as much as 35 pounds.

For positions requiring driving, applicants must have a valid state driver’s license and a safe driving record. They must be able to obtain a Government Motor Vehicle Operator’s Identification Card. Applicants must have a vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters, glasses permitted. Clerks working with the public must be able to hear the conversational voice.

Distribution Clerk, Machine & Flat Sorting Machine Operators

Distribution Clerk, Machine and Flat Sorter Machine Operators are required to operate machinery which sorts and distributes letters or flats (magazines, over-sized envelopes etc.). Individuals must read address ZIP Codes and enter codes, using special purpose keyboards. Operators must also load and unload the machines, and the job may include irregular hours.

Distribution Clerk, Machine applicants must pass a vision test and possess the manual dexterity required to operate a two-handed keyboard. Vision requirements are: 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and at least 20/100 (Snellen) in the other, and the ability to read without strain printed material the size of typewritten characters; corrective lenses permitted.

Flat Sorting Machine Operator applicants must pass a vision test and possess the manual dexterity required to operate a one-handed keyboard. Vision requirements are: 20/30 (Snellen) in one eye and 20/50 (Snellen) in the other; corrective lenses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is desirable.

Mail Handler

Mail Handlers work in an industrial environment. Duties include the loading, unloading and moving of sacks of mail and packages weighing up to 70 pounds. May include irregular hours. Prior to appointment, applicants will be required to pass a test of physical abilities. Applicants must demonstrate they can lift and carry up to 70 pounds.

Applicants must have a vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; corrective lenses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is desirable.

Mail Processor

Mail Processors are required to stand for prolonged periods of time loading and unloading mail from a variety of automated mail processing equipment. May include irregular hours. Applicants must have a vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; corrective lenses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is desirable.

Automated Mark Up Clerk

Automated Mark Up Clerks enter change of address data into a computer data base, process mail and perform other clerical functions. May include irregular hours. Applicants must have six (6) months or equivalent of clerical or office machine operating experience. Typing is required. Applicants must have a vision of 20/40 (Snellen) in one eye and the ability to read without strain, printed material the size of typewritten characters; corrective lenses permitted. The ability to distinguish basic colors and shades is desirable.

Resources

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