Description
Post office counter clerks sell products and services at a post office. They assist customers with picking up and sending mail. Post office counter clerks also sell financial products.
Duties
The duties of a post office counter clerk include, but are not limited to:
- Performing routine clerical work such as filing paperwork in order to ensure that the office operates efficiently
- Providing information about postage rates and services to customers
- Handling incoming mail, including registering incoming items with the post office computer system, scanning barcodes for automated sorting, labeling packages for delivery, and sorting letters by ZIP code or carrier route
- Manage outgoing mail by weighing packages, calculating postage rates, and preparing labels or stickers
- Preparing outgoing mail for dispatch by weighing each piece if required and affixing postage stamps or meter stamps
- Handling incoming mail from the public, including sorting it into bins by ZIP code or carrier route, or delivering it to post office boxes or mail carriers for delivery to recipients
- Sorting mail by destination ZIP code or carrier route for delivery to post offices for further delivery by truck or rail
- Receiving and delivering mail to postal customers using a vehicle equipped with a lift for transporting packages
- Processing incoming mail by opening envelopes and removing contents, such as checks or bills, which are then sorted according to type and placed in bins for further processing by other employees
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to post office counter clerk:
mail services counter clerk
post office customer service assistant
post office supervisor
mail service clerk
post office customer service consultant
counter clerk, post office
Working conditions
Post office counter clerks typically work in post offices, sorting mail and selling stamps. They may also work in other postal facilities, such as distribution centers and mail processing plants. The work is generally performed in a standing position, and post office counter clerks are required to lift heavy bags of mail. The work can be repetitive and sometimes stressful, especially during busy times, such as holidays.
Post office counter clerks typically work full time and may be required to work overtime, weekends, and holidays.
Minimum qualifications
Post office counter clerks are typically required to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some post office counter clerks choose to pursue an associate’s degree in business or a related field. Earning a degree in business or another field can help post office clerks advance their careers and increase their earning potential.
Post office counter clerks typically receive on-the-job training from their supervisors or managers. This training may include learning the specific software and computer systems the post office uses, as well as the organization’s policies and procedures.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Post office counter clerk is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Post office counter clerk career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to post office counter clerk.
press and stationery specialised seller
medical goods specialised seller
second-hand goods specialised seller
ammunition specialised seller
beverages specialised seller
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of post office counter clerk. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of post office counter clerk with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
mutual fund broker
financial trader
bank account manager
securities trader
ICT help desk agent
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of post office counter clerk.
- Characteristics of products: The tangible characteristics of a product such as its materials, properties and functions, as well as its different applications, features, use and support requirements.
- Customer service: Processes and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer’s or service user’s satisfaction.
- Characteristics of services: The characteristics of a service that might include having acquired information about its application, function, features, use and support requirements.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of post office counter clerk.
- Operate cash register: Register and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.
- Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
- Assist customers: Provide support and advice to customers in making purchasing decisions by finding out their needs, selecting suitable service and products for them and politely answering questions about products and services.
- Sell post office products: Sell envelopes, parcels and stamps. Collect cash for these products or electronic transfers.
- Satisfy customers: Communicate with customers and make them feel satisfied.
- Deliver correspondence: Distribute mail correspondence, newspapers, packages and private messages to customers.
- Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
- Handle financial transactions: Administer currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of post office counter clerk. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Financial products: The different types of instruments that apply to the management of cash flow that are available on the market, such as shares, bonds, options or funds.
- Sales argumentation: Techniques and sales methods used in order to present a product or service to customers in a persuasive manner and to meet their expectations and needs.
- Types of pensions: The types of monthly sums paid to someone in retirement, such as employment-based pensions, social and state pensions, disability pensions and private pensions.
- Financial markets: The financial infrastructure which permits trading securities offered by companies and individuals govern by regulatory financial frameworks.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of post office counter clerk. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Handle registered mail: File undelivered registered mail. Check identity documents of customers coming to retrieve them. Secure signatures.
- Maintain store cleanliness: Keep the store tidy and clean by hovering and mopping.
- Advise on financial matters: Consult, advise, and propose solutions with regards to financial management such as acquiring new assets, incurring in investments, and tax efficiency methods.
- Register mail: Register customers’ letters and parcels. Weigh them to make sure they have the correct postage.
- Promote financial products: Inform existing or potential customers about the various financial goods and services that are offered by the company.
- Convert currency: Convert valuta from one currency to another at a financial institution such as a bank at the right exchange rate.
- Carry out active selling: Deliver thoughts and ideas in impactful and influencing manner to persuade customers to become interested in new products and promotions. Persuade clients that a product or service will satisfy their needs.
- Distribute pensions: Pay pensions and other benefits to customers. Check correctness of documents and make sure the correct amount of cash is given.
- Offer financial services: Provide a broad range of financial services to clients such as assistance with financial products, financial planning, insurances, money and investment management.
ISCO group and title
4211 – Bank tellers and related clerks
References
- Post office counter clerk – ESCO
- Post Office Clerk Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
- Featured image: By User:Mattes – Own work, Public Domain
