This post presents complete information on the USPS city carrier associate job description, including the tasks, duties, and responsibilities they typically carry out.
It also provides major requirements you may need to meet to be hired for the USPS city carrier associate role, as well as the expected salary.
Please, continue reading:
What Does a USPS City Carrier Associate Do?
The USPS city carrier associate job description entails completing all customer transactions, including, but not limited to processing incoming and outgoing mail and parcels.
It also involves completing administrative tasks such as assisting with various office needs, lifting and carrying packages that weigh up to 70lbs.
City carrier associates at USPS deliver mail on foot or by vehicle within their assigned area that spans one or more streets.
They deliver mail to USPS customers that live and work within their assigned area, and also activate new (or locking) mailboxes in the area.
Furthermore, they are responsible for making and maintaining customer records and logs, and for scheduling deliveries during designated hours.
They use computers and other equipment to handle mail processing and administrative tasks.
It is their responsibility to locate, handle, pack, or process mail, and to open packages with hazardous contents.
The city carrier associate at USPS works in various weather conditions and temperatures, ranging from cold to hot, and in a safe work environment.
USPS city carrier associates work overtime when needed and maintain good attendance and punctual performance on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
In addition, the city carrier associate’s duties entail following all safety procedures and departmental policies, and completing timecards accurately.
It also involves paying attention to safety and security when working in the mailroom area, while transporting mail, doing sundry tasks and duties, and when moving between departments
USPS City carrier associates ensure compliance with program policies and procedures and are responsible for complying with all communication protocols and procedures.
They are expected to be familiar with the various mail processing equipment, and are responsible for working closely with supervisors and managers to ensure daily operations are completed in a timely manner.
A USPS city carrier associate must possess a valid driver’s license and should be able to drive a vehicle safely.
USPS City Carrier Associate Job Description Sample/Example/Templates
The following duties, tasks, and responsibilities define the USPS city carrier associate job description:
- Deliver letters, parcels, and packages along assigned city routes
- Collect outgoing mail from homes, businesses, and USPS collection boxes
- Sort mail in delivery sequence before leaving the post office
- Ensure accurate and timely distribution of all classes of mail
- Provide courteous service when interacting with residents and businesses on the route
- Answer basic customer inquiries about mail delivery or postal services
- Obtain signatures for certified, registered, and insured mail
- Follow established city delivery routes or alternative routes as directed by supervisors
- Adapt to changing routes, schedules, or assignments when covering for absent carriers
- Maintain route accuracy and report any changes (new buildings, blocked access, etc.)
- Safely handle, load, and unload parcels and mail bags
- Deliver large or heavy packages to doorsteps while following USPS safety guidelines
- Use handheld scanners to track delivery status for packages and accountable mail
- Protect mail from damage, theft, and loss per USPS regulations
- Follow all federal postal laws, privacy standards, and USPS operating procedures
- Operate USPS delivery vehicles safely on assigned routes
- Conduct daily vehicle safety checks before and after routes
- Follow all traffic rules and USPS driving safety standards
- Update delivery records, scans, and delivery confirmations using USPS handheld devices
- Report hazardous conditions, customer address changes, or route issues to supervisors
- Return undeliverable mail, misdelivered mail, and completed paperwork at the end of the route.
- Assist in the post office with mail sorting, organizing parcels, and prepping delivery trucks
- Cover weekend, holiday, or overtime shifts to support staffing needs
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of mail delivery equipment and supplies
- Double-check addresses to prevent misdelivery of mail or parcels
- Ensure proper placement of mail in curbside, cluster, or apartment mailboxes
- Verify postage issues and mark mail that is undeliverable or incorrectly addressed
- Attempt redelivery of items requiring customer presence/signature
- Leave notices for missed deliveries or parcels that cannot be left safely
- Retrieve mail from secure postal lockers when delivering parcels to community mailbox units
- Maintain situational awareness while walking, climbing stairs, or delivering in high-traffic areas
- Identify hazardous conditions (icy steps, aggressive animals, blocked mailbox access) and follow USPS safety protocols
- Wear approved USPS uniforms and required safety gear
- Deliver mail in all weather conditions including rain, snow, extreme heat, and cold
- Protect mail from exposure to weather while delivering
- Adjust walking/driving patterns to maintain safety during harsh weather
- Properly manage mail satchels, parcel bags, scanners, keys, and postal arrow locks
- Recharge scanning devices and report malfunctioning equipment
- Ensure delivery truck cargo is properly organized to prevent damage to mail
- Report broken, obstructed, or non-compliant mailboxes to supervisors
- Provide customers with USPS-approved guidance on mailbox placement or repairs
- Ensure community mailbox units remain locked and secure after deliveries
- Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor with the public at all times
- Represent USPS standards when interacting with customers during deliveries
- Maintain confidentiality of customer addresses, packages, and mail contents
- Coordinate with supervisors, clerks, and full-time carriers to review daily workload
- Assist co-workers during high-volume days (holidays, peak mailing weeks)
- Communicate route challenges or high workload to the postmaster or supervisor
- Return unsent, undeliverable, or forwarded mail to the post office for processing
- Report completion of deliveries and outstanding issues before clocking out
- Secure vehicle, keys, and postal equipment after finishing the route.
USPS City Carrier Associate Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success
If you are seeking to work at USPS as a city carrier associate, here are major requirements you may be asked to meet to be hired:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or legal authorization to work
- Minimum age of 18 (or 16 with a high school diploma)
- Valid state-issued driver’s license
- Clean and safe driving record
- Ability to pass a federal background check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
- Ability to lift up to 70 pounds
- Ability to stand, walk, climb steps, and carry mail for long hours
- Ability to work in all weather conditions (rain, heat, cold, snow)
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays
- Ability to work overtime as needed
- Ability to sort mail accurately before delivery
- Basic reading, writing, and math skills
- Ability to use USPS handheld scanners and tracking devices
- Strong attention to detail to prevent misdelivered mail
- Good communication skills for interacting with customers and supervisors
- Strong customer-service mindset
- Ability to follow instructions and postal regulations
- Ability to work independently without constant supervision
- Ability to learn and adapt to multiple city routes
- Physical stamina to handle long shifts and walking-heavy routes
- Professional appearance and conduct in USPS uniform
- Willingness to adhere to all USPS safety rules and protocols
- Reliability and punctuality for scheduled work shifts
- Must complete mandatory USPS training after hiring
- Willingness to handle high-volume mail during peak seasons
- Ability to protect mail privacy and follow federal confidentiality rules
- Ability to walk long distances on various surfaces (sidewalks, stairs, lawns)
- Ability to carry a mail satchel weighing up to 35 lbs repeatedly
- Ability to load and unload mail trays, parcels, and containers from postal vehicles
- Must be comfortable driving right-hand-drive USPS vehicles
- Ability to memorize and navigate local streets and delivery areas
- Basic problem-solving skills for unexpected delivery issues
- Ability to handle dogs or animals safely using USPS-approved procedures
- Ability to manage multiple delivery tasks under tight time pressure
- Willingness to work during peak mail seasons (Thanksgiving, Christmas, elections)
- Willingness to assist at different post office stations if needed
- Ability to maintain accurate delivery and scan records
- Must be able to follow mail security protocols at all times
- Must comply with USPS uniform and grooming standards
- Ability to maintain composure during difficult customer interactions
- Ability to report hazards such as blocked mailboxes, damaged roads, and unsafe steps
- Ability to read and follow maps, route diagrams, and delivery notes
- Ability to handle shift changes on short notice
- Ability to keep postal keys, arrow locks, and security items safe at all times
- Ability to return undelivered mail and accountable items correctly
- Willingness to participate in ongoing USPS training and route updates.
USPS City Carrier Associate Job Description for Resume
If you are currently working as a city carrier associate with USPS or have worked in that role before and are making a resume or CV for a new position, you can create an impactful Professional Experience section for your resume by applying the USPS city carrier associate job description sample above.
You can apply the duties and responsibilities in the sample USPS city carrier associate job description above in your resume’s Professional Experience to show that you have been effective performing the city carrier associate role.
This piece of information in your resume can greatly influence the recruiter/employer to grant you an interview or hire you for the job, especially if the new position requires candidates to have some work experience as a city carrier associate.
(Learn how to make an effective resume applying the Employer-focused Resume Writing Technique)
Conclusion
This post has provided exhaustive information on the USPS city carrier associate job description, including the important duties, tasks, and responsibilities they typically perform.
It has also presented the major requirements that candidates for the city carrier associate role at USPS may be expected to fulfill to be hired.
Individuals interested in the USPS city carrier associate career will find this post useful in learning about what they do and the job requirements to be met.
Also, employers needing to make a job description for the city carrier associate position will find it helpful in making one for their organizations.
They can simply apply the USPS city carrier associate job description provided on this page in creating a detailed one for their companies.
