What do Mail Deliverers Do?
Generally mail deliverers disburse mail to different locations. The pick up mail either from a private client, company or post office and then deliver the mail either by car or foot to the designated location. You will need to enjoy being outside for extended periods of time. Also you must be able to walk and carry large amounts of mail in the forms of letters and packages. There are two types of mail deliverers, in-house and U.S. Postal Service.
In-House Mail Deliverer
There are in-house mail deliverers for corporations or companies. Some companies and corporations have their own mail rooms. All in coming and in-house mail is sorted and delivered by a personal mail deliverer.
To become an in-house mail deliverer you need to apply at large companies that have a mail department. You should call around to local business in your area and see if anyone is hiring. You can also check on-line and in the classifieds for job postings.
Each private company has it’s own requirements to work as a mail deliverer just like any other job. However having a clean criminal history and good references is a plus.
Steps to Becoming a U.S. Postal Deliverer.
The most common and traditional type of mail carrier is a Postal Service worker. Postal service workers, work for the United States Postal Service and have a daily route that they are responsible for.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or 17 if you have a G.E.D.
- U.S. citizen or legal resident
- You must not have any felony convictions
If you meet the above requirements the next step is to contact your local post office’s human resource department to find out about job openings, applications and testing dates. Once you have gotten the information from the human resources department you will want to purchase a study guide to prepare for the Battery 470 test. You will be tested on the following.
- number series
- address checking
- memory
The next steps you will want to take are as follows:
- You will also want to check the Post Offices National Directory Book to find out about other openings and testing dates in surrounding areas.
- Once you have applied and passed your Battery 470 exam. You will be put on a list of people available for open positions.
- If you are accepted and called for an interview, You will have to pass a physical examination and a drug test. You may also be asked to prove that you can carry and lift packages of up to 70lbs.
- You will also need to possess a valid drivers license and have a good driving record.
If you are pass all of your tests and are offered a position, make sure to check what time allotment is being offered. There are four different type of mail carrier positions that are offered.
- casual-90 days at a time to help process and deliver mail during peak mailing or vacation periods
- part-time flexible-do not have a regular work schedule or weekly guarantee of hours but are called as the need arises.
- part-time regular-set work schedule of fewer than 40 hours per week, often replacing regular full-time workers on their scheduled day off.
- full time-work a 40-hour week over a 5-day period.
Salaries
The salary for a mail carrier ranges from $34,000 to $50,000 depending on years of services, type of carrier and area you are working in. Because postal workers are part of the Federal Government you will also receive very good benefits.
Things to Consider
Getting a job as a mail carrier for the United States Post Office can be a long and drawn out process sometimes taking up to 2 years to get hired. If it is a job you are really serious about and have other means of income, it’s well worth the wait. Once you get into the postal service industry you can move up the ranks with hard work and dedication.
