Mail, Postal and Related Clerks (NOC 1461)
Description
This unit group includes clerks who process and sort mail and parcels in post offices, mail processing plants and internal mail rooms, and clerks who serve customers and record transactions at sales counters and postal wickets. Mail, postal and related clerks are employed by Canada Post Corporation, courier and parcel express services and establishments throughout the public and private sectors.
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Example Titles
- bus parcel express clerk
- express mail service clerk
- mail clerk
- mail room clerk
- mail sorter
- postal clerk
- postal counter clerk
- postal wicket clerk
- railway mail clerk
>> View all titles
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Classified Elsewhere
- Couriers, Messengers and Door-to-door Distributors (1463)
- Letter Carriers (1462)
- Supervisors, Mail and Message Distribution Occupations (1214)
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Duties
The following is a summary of main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
Postal clerks:
- calculate and affix the correct postage on letters parcels and registered mail and receive payment from customers,
- sell stamps, prepaid mail and courier envelopes and money orders,
- route mail to the proper delivery stream,
- sign or obtain signatures from recipients for registered or special delivery mail and keep records, answer inquiries and complete forms regarding change of address, theft or loss of mail,
- and record and balance daily transactions.
Mail sorters:
- sort mail according to destination,
- bundle, label, bag and route sorted mail to the proper delivery stream,
- search directories to find the correct address for redirected mail.
Mail room clerks:
- receive, process, sort and distribute incoming and outgoing mail, faxes, messages, courier packages manually or electronically,
- maintain address databases and produce personalized mailings,
- print and photocopy material, address and stuff envelopes,
- weigh, calculate, affix proper postage and bundle outgoing mail by postal code,
- may operate and maintain print shop and mailing house equipment.
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Skills
Mail and postal clerks need the following characteristics:
- ability to read rapidly and accurately
- manual and finger dexterity
- physical strength and stamina, including the ability to lift a specific amount of weight without assistance
- ability to follow clear guidelines and methods
- ability to deal with stress of meeting service standards
- ability to work well with co-workers and the public
- good communication skills
- ability to operate automated equipment
- ability to operate a computer
- decision-making skills
- a responsible attitude and personal integrity.
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Employment Requirements
- Mail sorters and mail clerks are trained on the job.
- For employment with Canada Post, job applicants must have work experience and good references and pass a series of practical and oral tests. Applicants must pass a security clearance.
- Mail sorters who operate Canada Post mail coding machines must learn to sort a minimum number of letters per hour within a specified training period (rate and hour requirements vary depending on the type of coding machine).
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- A valid driver's license may be required.
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Terms & Conditions
The work environment varies from sorting mail in mail processing plants to selling stamps in retail postal outlets. Most work normal business hours, although those in retail outlets may work evenings, weekends or shift-work. Mail sorters in processing plants (in Winnipeg and Brandon) may work shifts. The majority are full-time employees. Temporary jobs may be available during the pre-Christmas period to process the extra mail volumes.
The work involves sitting, standing and walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting and crouching. These clerks stand for long periods at counters while serving customers or sorting mail. Those who work in the mail room of large companies often move around the building with carts delivering and picking up mail from individual units. They may be expected to handle parcels up to 20 kilograms in weight.
Unionized positions with Canada Post carry higher salaries than retail clerical positions in corner stores or local drug stores.
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Earnings
$21,900 per annum - starting
$36,300 per annum - average
$46,500 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- Mail sorters and postal clerks are trained on the job.
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Career Paths
Individuals working in mailrooms of businesses may be hired with no previous experience. Work experience in handling and moving packaged materials is useful.
Canada Post hires prospective mail sorters as temporary employees who are on call. At first, they may work only a few days in a month. Up to three years of seniority may be required to become a permanent employee. Private courier and parcel express services may hire new employees on a part-time basis only.
Without additional education, advancement opportunities for experienced mail sorters are limited. Many mail sorters stay in the occupation until they retire. Progression to supervisory or facility management positions is possible with additional training or experience.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for mail, postal, and related clerks are expected to be good in the 2010 - 2014 period. The number employed in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1,585.
The number of people employed in this occupational group declined slightly over the past decade due to technological change (automated mail sorting) and re-structuring at Canada Post. The use of electronic communication as a way of doing business has reduced mail volumes, so fewer mail room staff are required.
Over the forecast period, the workforce is expected to remain fairly stable, and employment opportunities will arise as people change jobs or retire. Home shopping (by phone or Internet) is likely to become more prevalent as the population ages, and may serve to increase mail volumes. However, prospects will be better in large companies and community postal outlets than at Canada Post where there is more competition for available jobs (due to generally higher salaries).
Mail, postal and related clerks are employed throughout Manitoba. They are also found in almost all industries. The most significant are Transportation and Warehousing which employs 60% of the occupational workforce in Manitoba, followed by Public Administration (17%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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