Beyond Mail and Packages: The Full Scope of Postal Services
Introduction
While we are familiar with the traditional service of delivering mail and packages, the Postal Service (USPS) is far more comprehensive. It offers a wide range of services that go beyond just the simple delivery of letters and parcels. From selling stamps to processing financial transactions, the USPS is a vital part of the community. In this article, we will explore the various roles and functions that the postal service fulfills beyond just the delivery of mail and packages.
The Workforce Behind the Scenes
The postal service is supported by a dedicated workforce that includes various categories of employees. Let's delve into the specific roles these employees play in ensuring the smooth functioning of the postal system.
Retail Section
At the entry point of the postal service, we find retail clerks. These clerks are the faces of the postal service in local post offices. They sell stamps, money orders, and even facilitate passport applications for those in need. In bigger offices, you can witness clerks carrying out additional duties such as photographing applicants for passports. Besides these services, they also handle the sorting of mail for post office boxes and the collection and repair of damaged letters or parcels.
Processing Section
The processing department is responsible for loading, sorting, and preparing mail for delivery. Mail handlers use various machines and equipment to move loads, from forklifts to manual pallet jacks. They distribute empty mail containers and skids and ensure outgoing mail is properly loaded onto trucks. This department also includes postal clerks who sort mail both manually and by machine. Some clerks use computer screens at video encoding stations to provide missing address information, ensuring that letters can be processed efficiently.
Maintenance Section
Maintenance staff play a crucial role in keeping the postal service running smoothly. They are responsible for the upkeep of machines and conveyors, ensuring that there are no severe jams or breakdowns. Their work involves both routine cleaning and addressing more severe issues that arise. The maintenance team ensures that all material handling equipment is functioning optimally.
Transportation Section
The transportation function is primarily handled by truck drivers who move loads from processing plants to post offices and airports. They also make direct large-scale deliveries to institutions like universities. In addition to these deliveries, they pick up mail from large volume mailers destined for processing plants. This function also includes the maintenance of the delivery fleet, which is carried out by mechanics in the fleet garage. They ensure that the vehicles used in the final mile delivery are in top condition.
Delivery Section
The final step in the postal service is the delivery to the end user. This is the largest and most visible component of the postal service. Employee mail carriers deliver letters and parcels using specialized postal trucks. In dense urban areas, the mail may be further subdivided, with some routes handled by foot for letters and packets. Rural mail carriers handle outlying areas, with routes ranging from four miles to even 20 miles or more.
Conclusion
The postal service is far more extensive than we often realize. From processing and delivering mail to handling financial transactions and community services, the USPS plays a vital role in our daily lives. The intricate system of employees working behind the scenes ensures that our mail and packages reach their destinations reliably and efficiently. Understanding the various functions within the postal service not only highlights its importance but also emphasizes the dedication and hard work of all its employees.