Mail Carrier Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the mail carrier job description, including the key tasks, duties, and responsibilities they typically perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the mail carrier role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does a Mail Carrier Do?

The mail carrier is responsible for deliveries from the post office to the house of the recipient.

The mail carrier job description entails crossing out address numbers that have been used before, and identifying mailboxes with their names and numbers when making deliveries, and listing them in their logs.

Once finished with deliveries, mail carriers must place all mail into a secure area in their vehicle and then back into the post office.

The mail carrier has to collect money from customers who have bills and checks, and also collect money for postage and other products, such as stamped envelopes and postcards, if customers are willing to purchase these items.

Mail carriers are also responsible for identifying damaged or wet mail that may have been damaged during transit.

It is their duty to monitor time allotted for each delivery, so they can ensure their clients are receiving packages on time.

Longer routes usually mean a longer amount of time needed for delivery, so it is important that they keep track of their schedule while traveling, as well as perform other duties and responsibilities associated with the job.

It is their duty to ensure that their vehicle is operating properly and they are able to effectively perform the tasks required of them while on the job.

They must ensure that they are following all rules and procedures regarding mail, both federal and state regulations.

Any violations may result in a loss of their job or being put on probation or subject to further investigation by the proper authorities.

The mail carrier work description also involves professionally handling letters that contain potentially dangerous substances, as well as identifying suspicious packages for safety purposes.

It also entails training on how to protect themselves from potential accusations of theft or other crimes when performing their duties.

Mail carriers are held accountable for any illegal activity that may occur while they are working under the direction of their employer.

They handle cash and other valuables that may be contained in letter envelopes.

Mail carriers are also responsible for distribute mail, including advertising circulars and bank statements.

This position demonstrate good problem solving skills, as they encounter challenges while completing their work duties.

This includes inclement weather and adverse road conditions, such as ice during winter months where snow removal is necessary for vehicles to travel effectively on the roads.

Mail carriers maintain a neat appearance as a matter of duty; this includes ensuring personal hygiene and cleanliness of the vehicle.

Correctly handling the mail, as it is considered a government-protected document, is a very important part of their tasks.

They also maintain records of their time on the job and log any special training or professional development that they may have received from the employer.

Mail Carrier Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The mail carrier job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Delivers mail, parcels and packages to the right destination
• Maintains strict safety rules and regulations in their work
• Works with other employees to perform their duties accurately
• Stays alert and observes the surroundings to be aware of any suspicious activities or persons, therefore facilitating the normal delivery of mail and parcels
• Ensures that the route is clear before sending out a new delivery vehicle for a new route (e-mail)
• Works with the post office staff to conduct a smooth mail delivery, including: greeting all customers on the delivery route, collecting the mail and parcels from different points of business and residences, informing customers on delivery times and information they need to know about the services they get from their business and residential areas, and checking the proof of delivery (e-mail)
• Maintains strict safety rules for all other employees especially for those who support them on their job, such as sorting, delivering, receiving, stocking etc.
• Attends training and seminars on the latest or updated services provided by the post office to keep updated on new information about their job (e-mail)
• Records all activities related to the mail delivery or business operations of the post office in an organized manner and report to supervisors any abnormalities relevant to their work (email)
• Handles customer’s complaints and provides feedbacks or suggestions for improvement (e-mail)
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisors.

Mail Carrier Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a mail carrier or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can craft a compelling Professional Experience for the resume by applying the above mail carrier job description sample.

You can show the duties and responsibilities that you have carried out as a mail carrier in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones in the above job description sample.

This will help you to convince the employer/recruiter that you have been successful performing the role of a mail carrier, which can greatly enhance your resume and your application for the new job, especially if having some mail carrier work experience is important to the position you are seeking.

Mail Carrier Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are important requirements that you may be expected to meet to be hired for the for post office mail carrier role:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid driver’s license to drive the designated delivery vehicle
• Basic computer knowledge
• Sense of responsibility and punctuality as required by their job nature and must be able to work with other staff in the post office (e-mail)
• Ability to read and speak the English language and comprehend instructions without difficulty (e-mail)
• The ability to walk up to 10 miles per day on their assigned routes and lift up to 20 pounds is highly recommended (email)
• Demonstrates readiness to work as part of a team
• Ability to work effectively as a team player and independently
• Must be able to follow post office rules and regulations
• Good communication, interpersonal and written skills are highly recommended (emails).

Mail Carrier Salary

According to Glassdoor, the national average compensation for a USPS mail carrier in the United States is $45,599 per year.

Conclusion

The mail carrier job is an interesting and useful career that may require a lot of physical strength and stamina to accomplish the various tasks that may be assigned.

It is a physically demanding job, but highly rewarding in the end.

This post is helpful to individuals interested in the mail carrier.

They can learn all they need to know about the duties and responsibilities of the mail carrier, and so be able to decide rightly if it’s the job they want to do. It is also useful to recruiters/employers in making a detailed job description for the mail carrier position in their organization.

USPS Mail Carrier Resources

Here are valuable resources you can access to improve your knowledge about the USPS mail carrier industry and develop your career:

Professional Organizations

Useful Blogs

Helpful Books