Oh, the dramas of television. If only the mail had been sorted and properly placed in the right boxes (“Newman!”), Babu Bhatt never would have been deported.
Thankfully, however, Newman isn’t a real postal worker. And thankfully, real postal workers are responsible, hard-working, and detail-oriented.
So what’s it take to become a US postal worker? Read on to find out.
The Qualifications of a US Postal Worker Include Education and Training
There are several steps that need to be taken before becoming a US postal worker. First of all, you need to be 18 years old or older, and you have to be a US citizen or someone who has “been granted permanent resident-alien status in the United States, and [if you’re male, you] must have registered with the Selective Service upon reaching age 18,” says the bls.gov website.
The next step is to pass a written examination. This test “measures speed and accuracy at checking names and numbers and the ability to memorize mail distribution procedures.”
The third step includes a physical and a drug test. Potential US postal workers must be able to “lift and handle mail sacks weighing 70 pounds.” And finally, you must pass a driving test.
Other qualifications necessary for becoming a US postal worker include being personable, understanding and speaking English well, and being detail-oriented. Because postal workers interact with various types of people — in positive and negative situations — they must be able to remain calm and courteous at all times.
The Responsibilities of a US Postal Worker Include Sorting, Delivering, and Processing Mail
Depending upon the type of US postal worker you become, your responsibilities will vary. Below, you’ll find a list of the different postal service jobs and the responsibilities of each:
Postal service clerks: postal service clerks are also known as window clerks. Because they work inside the post office, postal service clerks deal with selling stamps, money orders, stationery, and envelopes. They also weigh mail for postage and determine if packages are in shippable condition.
Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators: postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators “prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution at post offices and at mail processing centers,” says the bls.gov website.
Postal service mail carriers: postal service mail carriers deliver the mail to residential areas, business districts, cities, and towns. They can either deliver the mail by foot or by vehicle. But along with delivering mail, mail carriers also collect “postage-due” and “COD (cash-on-delivery) fees,” as well as “obtain signed receipts for registered, certified, and insured mail.”
The Current Job Market for a US Postal Worker
According to PayScale.com, the average hourly wage of a US postal worker depends on how much experience you have. Here’s the breakdown:
- Less than 1 year earns $14.18 per hour
- 1-4 years earns $14.96 per hour
- 5-9 years earns $20.67 per hour
- 10-19 years earns $21.70 per hour
- 20-plus years earns $22.59 per hour
US postal workers working in:
- New York earn $21.93
- Illinois earn $19.65
- New Jersey earn $18.80
- Florida earn $18.11
- California earn $17.94
- Texas earn $16.00
- Virginia earn $12.96
Thank goodness US postal workers are nothing like Seinfeld’s Newman. He was sloppy and misplaced mail. Real postal workers, however, are reliable, dependable, organized, and courteous. Those who are over 18, are US citizens, and are able to pass driving, physical, and licensing tests will be ready for the responsibilities of a US postal worker in no time.
