According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines. | 89% |
| Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts. | 86% |
| Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing. | 85% |
| Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects. | 85% |
| Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates. | 85% |
| Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures. | 85% |
| Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary. | 84% |
| Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets. | 83% |
| Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities. | 83% |
| Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters. | 83% |
| Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification. | 83% |
| Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes. | 82% |
| Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors. | 81% |
| Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies. | 80% |
| Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations. | 80% |
| Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels. | 79% |
| Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins. | 78% |
| Clear jams in sortation equipment. | 78% |
| Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests. | 78% |
| Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools. | 78% |
| Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing. | 78% |
| Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines. | 77% |
| Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges. | 77% |
| Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions. | 74% |
| Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines. | 71% |
| Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail. | 69% |
| Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary. | 65% |
| Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail. | 63% |
| Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes. | 62% |
