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Postal services representatives

OaSIS code 64401.00

Postal services representatives serve customers and record transactions at sales counters and postal wickets. They maintain inventory and order supplies in post offices and internal mail rooms.

Overview

Also known as

  • Bus parcel express clerk
  • Express mail service clerk
  • Mail clerk
  • Mail room clerk
  • Postal counter clerk
  • Postal wicket clerk

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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
  • Record and balance daily transactions.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory or facility management positions is possible with additional training or experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations (72025)
  • Mail and parcel sorters and related occupations (74100)
  • Letter carriers (74101)
  • Couriers and messengers (74102)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

6 – Sales and service occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

64 – Sales and service representatives and other customer and personal services occupations

Sub-major group

644 – Occupations in customer, information and protective services

Minor group

6440 – Customer and information services representatives

Unit group

64401 – Postal services representatives

Occupational profile

64401.00 – Postal services representatives

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
3 - Moderate Level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
3 - Moderate Level
Selling or Influencing Others
3 - Moderate Level
Analyzing Data or Information
2 - Low Level
Assisting and Caring for Others
2 - Low Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
2 - Low amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
1 - Very little time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
2 - Somewhat important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Canada Post Corporation
  • Courier services
  • Establishements throughout the private and public sector
  • Parcel express services

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Gross Body Coordination
3 - Moderate Level
Stamina
3 - Moderate Level
Trunk Strength
3 - Moderate Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
2 - Low Level
Body Flexibility
2 - Low Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Digital Literacy
2 - Low Level
Management of Material Resources
2 - Low Level
Negotiating
2 - Low Level
Numeracy
2 - Low Level
Oral Communication: Active Listening
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Concern for Others
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: CRS

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social (S)

Social occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the interaction with others to inform, train, aid, develop, cure, or enlighten. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others, teaching, working or communicating with people.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school and some college office administration courses may be required.
  • On-the-job training is required.
  • Physical fitness may be required for some occupations in this unit group.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Clerical
2 - Intermediate Level
Accounting
1 - Basic Level
Client Service
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Logistics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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