Postal clerks help customers and ensure that mail is collected, sorted, and paid for.

Postal clerks work for the US Postal Service. They generally work either as counter clerks who help customers, or distribution clerks who sort mail. However, in small post offices they may do both.

Counter clerks

Postal clerks who work at the counter spend most of their day assisting customers. They sell money orders, stamps, post cards, envelopes, and other mailing products. They weigh letters or packages and compute the cost of postage based on type, weight, and destination. They obtain customer signatures when necessary and keep their money drawers organized. They are also in charge of checking postage meters to be sure they are working properly.

Postal clerks answer questions for customers about such things as rates or post office boxes. They help customers file claims for mail theft or lost or damaged mail. They sometimes post announcements or government information on public bulletin boards.

Distribution clerks

Postal clerks who work in mail distribution sort mail for delivery. They check mail to be sure it has the correct postage. They also feed mail into a postage-canceling device.

To sort mail, postal clerks use electronic sorting machines. Postal clerks at some small post offices still sort mail by hand. Clerks must sort odd-sized letters and magazines by hand.