How to Be Postal Delivery Worker - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 2, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Postal delivery workers are tasked with the important responsibility of delivering mail and packages to homes and businesses in a timely manner. This job affects many people on a daily basis, as it ensures that important documents, goods, and other items are received in a timely manner. As a result, postal delivery workers are responsible for the efficient functioning of the postal system, as well as the success of businesses and individuals who rely on the mail.

Furthermore, postal delivery workers must be reliable and organized, as they are responsible for ensuring that each package is delivered to the correct address. Finally, postal delivery workers must always be safety conscious, as they must operate vehicles in busy traffic areas and obey all traffic laws. These duties require postal delivery workers to have good communication skills and a strong sense of responsibility.

Steps How to Become

Get a High School Diploma or GED. In order to become a postal delivery worker, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
Obtain a Driver's License. You must have a valid state driver's license in order to deliver mail.
Find and Apply for Postal Delivery Worker Positions. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers postal delivery worker positions. You can find available positions on the USPS website or by contacting your local post office.
Complete an Application. Once you've found an available position, you must complete an application and submit it to the USPS.
Take and Pass an Exam. Most postal delivery worker positions require applicants to take and pass a Postal Exam 473, which is a series of cognitive and personality tests.
Pass a Background Check. Most employers will require you to pass a background check before being hired.
Receive Training. Once you've been hired as a postal delivery worker, you will receive training from the USPS on how to safely transport mail and packages.
Receive Certification. After completing your training, you will receive certification from the USPS, which allows you to deliver mail and packages.

In order to stay ahead and competent as a Postal Delivery Worker, it is important to stay organized and motivated. Staying organized can be achieved by setting a daily schedule, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, and having a plan for each day. Motivation can be gained by setting personal goals and tracking progress to stay focused.

staying up-to-date with the latest postal regulations and technology can help ensure that the job is done correctly and efficiently. By following these steps, Postal Delivery Workers can stay ahead and competent in their role.

You may want to check Furniture Delivery Driver, Courier Delivery Manager, and Grocery Delivery Worker for alternative.

Job Description

Sort and prepare incoming mail for delivery
Load mail onto delivery vehicle
Follow established mail delivery routes
Sort and deliver mail to individual mailboxes and business locations
Collect outgoing mail from businesses and residences
Record delivery and pickup information
Respond to customer inquiries regarding mail delivery and service
Record undeliverable mail and return it to the post office
Maintain cleanliness of mail vehicle
Follow mail safety regulations

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to follow instructions and safety regulations
Knowledge of local geography and streets
Proficiency in using postal machines and equipment
Good physical fitness to lift and carry packages
Possess a valid drivers license
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to stay calm in stressful and challenging situations
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Attention to detail and accuracy in tasks
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality of postal information and customer data

Good communication skills are essential for postal delivery workers. This is because they must be able to effectively interact with customers and coworkers, as well as provide accurate instructions and information. Communication skills also allow postal delivery workers to effectively respond to customer inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.

Furthermore, organization and problem-solving skills are essential for postal delivery workers in order to ensure that packages are delivered in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, time management is important for postal delivery workers in order to meet their deadlines and complete their tasks on time. Finally, strong physical stamina and endurance are necessary for postal delivery workers to be able to carry heavy packages over long distances for extended periods of time.

All of these skills are important for postal delivery workers in order to ensure the successful and timely delivery of packages.

Delivery Technician, Package Delivery Technician, and Food Delivery Worker are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What makes you the best candidate for this post?
How do you stay organized and efficient when delivering packages?
How do you handle difficult customers?
What would you do if you were unable to complete a delivery route?
What experience do you have in customer service?
How do you handle heavy lifting?
What safety protocols do you follow when driving a delivery vehicle?
How would you handle a situation where you were unable to locate a customers home or business?
Describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a deadline.
What methods do you use to ensure that packages are delivered on time?

Common Tools in Industry

Hand Truck or Dolly. A wheeled device used to transport heavy objects. (e. g. Used to transport mail sacks up and down stairs).
Handheld Scanner. A device used to read barcodes, allowing for faster sorting of mail. (e. g. Used to scan packages to determine the correct delivery address).
Mailbag. A large bag used to store and transport mail. (e. g. Used to carry outgoing mail to post office for sorting).
Mailbox Key. A special key used to unlock mailboxes in order to deliver mail. (e. g. Used to open mailboxes so that mail can be delivered).
Postal Scale. A device used to measure the weight of mail items for postage purposes. (e. g. Used to weigh packages to determine the postage cost).
Post Office Box Keys. Special keys used to open post office boxes where customers can pick up their mail. (e. g. Used to unlock post office boxes so that customers can collect their mail).
Postal Uniform. Clothing worn by postal workers while on duty, typically including a hat, shirt and pants. (e. g. Worn while delivering mail to identify oneself as a postal worker).
Postal Vehicle. A vehicle used by postal workers to deliver mail, such as a van, truck or motorcycle. (e. g. Used to transport mail around town and between post offices).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC)
National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU)
American Postal Workers Union (APWU)
United States Postal Service (USPS)
National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA)
International Mailers' Technical Advisory Committee (IMTAC)
National Association of Postal Supervisors (NAPS)
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW)
International Postal and Telecommunications Union (IPTU)
Universal Postal Union (UPU)

We also have Medical Supply Delivery Supervisor, Food Delivery Technician, and Postal Delivery Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Postal Code. A postal code, also known as a ZIP code, is a string of numbers used to identify a specific area or region for the purpose of delivering mail.
Mail Carrier. A mail carrier is a person who delivers mail to customers' mailboxes.
Delivery Route. A delivery route is a predetermined set of streets a delivery worker must travel in order to deliver their mail.
Mail Sorting. Mail sorting is the process of organizing mail by postcode, address, or other criteria in order to speed up the delivery process.
Postal Regulations. Postal regulations are rules and regulations which govern the handling and delivery of mail by postal workers.
Postal Vehicle. A postal vehicle is any vehicle used by a postal worker to deliver mail. This includes cars, vans, and bicycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary of a Postal Delivery Worker?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Postal Delivery Workers was $58,940 in May 2019.

What are the qualifications to become a Postal Delivery Worker?

Qualifications to become a Postal Delivery Worker include a high school diploma or equivalent, the ability to pass a background check and drug test, and a valid driver's license.

What are the duties of a Postal Delivery Worker?

The primary duties of a Postal Delivery Worker include delivering mail and small packages to residential and business customers, collecting payments for certified, insured, and other mail, and completing documentation related to mail delivery.

What are the working hours of a Postal Delivery Worker?

Postal Delivery Workers typically work full-time hours on weekdays, with some weekend and evening shifts. They may also be required to work overtime during peak mailing seasons.

What is the job outlook for Postal Delivery Workers?

The job outlook for Postal Delivery Workers is positive, with an expected job growth of 7 percent from 2018-2028.

Web Resources

Postal & Delivery Services - California State University, Northridge www.csun.edu
Postal Workers Unsung Heroes - Pennsylvania State University sites.psu.edu
Postal Services | Campus Logistics | Liberty University www.liberty.edu