Occupation

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

Human Advantage 61%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.7 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution for the United States Postal Service (USPS). Examine, sort, and route mail. Load, operate, and occasionally adjust and repair mail processing, sorting, and canceling machinery. Keep records of shipments, pouches, and sacks, and perform other duties related to mail handling within the postal service. Includes postal service mail sorters and processors employed by USPS contractors.

Also Known As: Assorter, Automation Clerk, Computer Forwarding System Markup Clerk (CFS Markup Clerk), Dead Mail Checker, Distribution Clerk, Distribution Handler, Distributor, Equipment Operator +34 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Clear jams in sorting equipment.
  2. Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.
  3. Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.

Supplemental Tasks (11)

  1. Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.
  2. 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.
  3. Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.
  4. Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".
  5. Open and label mail containers.
  6. Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.
  7. Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.
  8. Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.
  9. Train new workers.
  10. Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.
  11. Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
81%
Less than a High School Diploma
12%
Some College Courses
6%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software
  • Teradata Database

Software (17)

  • Address Management System AMS
  • Automated Package Processing System APPS
  • Barcode reader software
  • Delivery Routing System DRS
  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • Directory software
  • Electronic Time Clock ETC
  • Multi-line optical character reader OCR software
  • NCR Advanced Store
  • Time and Attendance Collection System TACS

Tools & Equipment (31)

  • Addressographs
  • Automatic airline assignment systems
  • Automatic pallet unloaders
  • Barcode scanners
  • Barcode sorters
  • Compact assignment machines
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Conveyor belts
  • Conveyor sorting systems
  • Copy machines
  • Delivery point packagers
  • Dollies
  • Electric material moving tractors
  • General purpose mail containers
  • Hand-pushed carts
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Mail canceling machines
  • Mail processing machines
  • Mail scales
  • Mail sorting machines
  • Mail trucks
  • Multi-position letter sorting machines
  • Optical character readers
  • Packaging machines
  • Personal computers
  • Point of sale workstations
  • Postage marking machines
  • Postal automated redirection systems
  • Small parcel bundle sorter machines
  • Voice recognition equipment
  • Warehouse forklifts

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators You are here
Zone 3
Energy Auditors 76% match
Zone 4
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians 77% match
Zone 5
Environmental Restoration Planners 75% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

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Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceClosely Related Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory ClerksClosely Related Postal Service ClerksClosely Related Stockers and Order FillersClosely Related Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandClosely Related Office Machine Operators, Except Computer Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping Data Entry Keyers
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Real Talk

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