What does a Letter Carrier do?
Published 3 min read
A letter carrier is someone who delivers letters and packages to people's homes and businesses.
Letter Carrier job duties include:
- Delivering mail and packages to residences and businesses
- Sorting mail and packages before delivery
- Loading mail and packages into a delivery vehicle
- Driving a delivery vehicle to the assigned route
- Collecting payment for COD items and postage due items
- Answering questions about postal services
- Selling stamps and shipping supplies
- Processing incoming and outgoing mail
- Handling customer complaints
Letter Carrier Job Requirements
There are no formal education requirements for letter carriers, although most have at least a high school diploma. On-the-job training is typically provided by the Postal Service. Some letter carriers may choose to pursue certification from the National Association of Letter Carriers. Experience is not typically required, but may be helpful.
Letter Carrier Skills
- Punctual
- Reliable
- Physical fitness
- Good vision
- Customer service skills
- Basic math skills
- Ability to lift heavy objects
- Walking and standing for long periods of time
- Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
- Valid driver’s license
Related: Top Letter Carrier Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Letter Carrier
There are a few steps that one must take in order to become a Letter Carrier. The first is to have a high school diploma or equivalent. The second is to pass a postal exam. The third is to complete on-the-job training.
The first step towards becoming a Letter Carrier is to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Individuals who do not have a high school diploma may still be able to take the postal exam, but they will need to complete additional training before being hired.
The second step is to pass a postal exam. The United States Postal Service offers several different exams, but the most common one for Letter Carriers is the 473 Exam. This exam tests an individual's knowledge of postal laws, regulations, and procedures.
The third step is to complete on-the-job training. Once an individual has been hired, they will need to complete a period of on-the-job training before they can begin working independently. On-the-job training typically lasts for several weeks and covers topics such as safety procedures, mail sorting, and route delivery.
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