What Is a Mail Processor and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A mail processor is an employee of the postal service and is responsible for sorting incoming and outgoing mail and preparing it for the mail carrier to take on their delivery route. Your duties include sorting mail using a machine or by hand, loading and unloading mail trucks, and maintaining and repairing broken machinery. A career as a mail processor requires you have a high school diploma or a GED certificate and are qualified, or can obtain the qualifications to operate heavy machinery, including forklifts. Many managers prefer hiring candidates with experience as a mail carrier or elsewhere in the postal service.

To become a mail processor, you need a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Additionally, you must undergo training or study a Post Office handbook and pass an exam to show your knowledge of postal service procedures. The duties and responsibilities of this position focus on handling and sorting mail, so you need organizational abilities and the physical skills to work with your hands. In a package distribution center, you may need to handle heavy boxes. The qualifications for a mail processor job include being over 18 years old, passing a background check and recreational drug screening, and being a citizen or legal permanent resident.