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O*NET-SOC 43-5053.00

Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators

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.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Direct items according to established routing schemes, using computer-controlled keyboards or voice-recognition equipment.Supplemental8213
  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.Supplemental8222
  3. Clear jams in sorting equipment.Core8221
  4. Bundle, label, and route sorted mail to designated areas, depending on destinations and according to established procedures and deadlines.Supplemental8214
  5. Operate various types of equipment, such as computer scanning equipment, addressographs, mimeographs, optical character readers, and bar-code sorters.Core8219
  6. Move containers of mail, using equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains".Supplemental8226
  7. Open and label mail containers.Supplemental8223
  8. Load and unload mail trucks, sometimes lifting containers of mail onto equipment that transports items to sorting stations.Supplemental8229
  9. Sort odd-sized mail by hand, sort mail that other workers have been unable to sort, and segregate items requiring special handling.Core8227
  10. Distribute incoming mail into the correct boxes or pigeonholes.Supplemental8218
  11. Rewrap soiled or broken parcels.Supplemental8224
  12. Train new workers.Supplemental8217
  13. Search directories to find correct addresses for redirected mail.Supplemental8220
  14. Cancel letter or parcel post stamps by hand.Supplemental8230

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 17 examples in 15 categories, 7 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Data base user interface and query software

  • Address Management System AMS
  • Directory software

Inventory management software

  • Automated Package Processing System APPS

Bar coding software

  • Barcode reader software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • Delivery operations information system DOIS
  • SAP softwareHot Technology

Map creation software

  • Delivery Routing System DRS

Time accounting software

  • Electronic Time Clock ETC

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft OutlookHot Technology

Document management software

  • Microsoft SharePointHot Technology

Word processing software

  • Microsoft WordHot Technology

Optical character reader OCR or scanning software

  • Multi-line optical character reader OCR software

Point of sale POS software

  • NCR Advanced Store

Data base management system software

  • Teradata DatabaseHot Technology

Human resources software

  • Time and Attendance Collection System TACS

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Getting Information

  • Obtain personal or financial information about customers or applicants.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

  • Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Processing Information

  • Sort mail.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

  • Verify shipping documentation.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

  • Unload materials or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Load materials or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

  • Package objects for shipping.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Working with Computers

  • Operate computers or computerized equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

  • Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Training and Teaching Others

  • Train personnel.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing Administrative Activities

  • Prepare outgoing mail.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Route mail to correct destinations.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Monitoring and Controlling Resources

  • Distribute incoming mail.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 14
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.