The U.S. postal service handles more mail than any other postal system in the world. Organizing this vital stream of letters and packages is the responsibility of postal service sorters, processors, and machine operators - also called mail processing clerks. In small post offices, mail may be sorted by hand. In larger facilities, huge electronic letter sorting machines and computer scanning equipment are used.

These federal workers make sure each and every item of mail has the proper postage and is routed to the correct destination. This is a job that requires a sharp memory, good coordination, and the ability to read quickly and accurately. Many tasks are performed while standing, and there's plenty of lifting and reaching involved.

Sorting and processing an endless flow of mail can be repetitive, and during peak mailing periods, challenging. Night and weekend shifts are common. Most postal workers are trained on-the-job, but you must meet specific criteria to obtain a position in this field and competition is high.

You need to be at least 18 or a high school graduate, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. In addition, you must be physically fit, and pass the postal service exam, as well as machine aptitude and drug screening tests. Then be prepared to wait a year or more before even a part-time position becomes available.

This is a career that will continue to attract more applicants than it has openings because of its relatively low training requirements, good benefits, and job security.

Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Controlling Machines and Processes	Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Transportation	Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.