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Postmasters and Mail Superintendents

SOC 11-9131.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers the supervision, administration, and leadership of postal facility operations — from entry-level mail processing support to executive-level direction of multi-site postal networks.

Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Employee attendance recordsreview and record daily under direct supervisor guidance at a single postal facility.
  2. Incoming and outgoing mail flowassist in organizing and sorting under close supervision in a mail processing area.
  3. Customer complaintslisten to and document initial details under the direction of a postmaster on duty.
  4. Work schedule templatespopulate with pre-assigned shift data following established formats provided by management.
  5. Postal operations proceduresfollow written protocols for opening, closing, and securing a post office facility.
  6. New employee orientation materialsassist in distributing and explaining basic job duties under trainer oversight.
  7. Activity summary reportsgather raw data and compile into standardized forms as directed by a supervising postmaster.
  8. Electronic mail softwareuse to receive and forward routine operational communications within the postal office.
  9. Time accounting softwareenter employee hours into the system following instructions from a supervisor.
  10. Office suite softwareuse basic spreadsheet and word processing tools to support daily administrative tasks at the facility.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Employee work schedulesprepare and distribute weekly shift assignments for postal staff with minimal oversight.
  2. Mail processing operationscoordinate incoming and outgoing mail activities to meet established daily deadlines.
  3. Customer complaintsresolve routine service issues independently by applying standard postal service policies.
  4. Payroll attendance datamonitor and verify employee work schedules and time records for accuracy before submission.
  5. Staff performance observationsdocument behavioral and productivity patterns to support routine evaluations.
  6. New hire training sessionsdeliver structured on-the-job instruction covering mail handling and customer service procedures.
  7. Post office activity reportsprepare detailed and summary reports and submit to designated supervisors on schedule.
  8. Human resources softwareuse to track personnel records, schedule changes, and attendance across the facility.
  9. Procurement softwareprocess routine supply orders following approved vendor lists and budget guidelines.
  10. Public safety protocolsapply established security and safety procedures during daily postal facility operations.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Postal facility operationsdirect and coordinate all processing, delivery, and administrative services autonomously across one or more locations.
  2. Complex customer complaintsinvestigate, negotiate resolution, and implement corrective actions for escalated service disputes.
  3. Employee performance evaluationsconduct comprehensive assessments and provide structured feedback to improve staff productivity.
  4. Labor disputesnegotiate directly with union representatives or employee groups to reach workable resolutions at the facility level.
  5. Staff hiring processlead candidate screening, interviewing, and selection to fill operational and supervisory vacancies.
  6. Operational performance reportsanalyze detailed activity data and author summary reports identifying trends and recommending improvements.
  7. Multi-shift schedulingdevelop optimized staffing plans that balance service demands, labor regulations, and budget constraints.
  8. Learning strategiesdesign and adapt training approaches to address varied skill gaps among postal staff members.
  9. Database and query softwareuse to extract operational data and generate reports supporting management decisions.
  10. Transportation and mail routingevaluate and adjust delivery route assignments to improve efficiency across the service area.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Postal facility networkset strategic direction for operational, management, and supportive services across multiple facilities simultaneously.
  2. Organizational workforce developmentestablish training standards and mentorship programs that build leadership capacity throughout the postal district.
  3. Labor relations strategylead negotiation of labor agreements and dispute resolution frameworks that shape long-term workforce policy.
  4. District-level reportingauthor and present comprehensive performance analyses to senior postal leadership to influence resource allocation decisions.
  5. Human resources policydevelop and implement personnel policies governing hiring, evaluation, and disciplinary processes across the district.
  6. Service quality standardsdefine and enforce customer service benchmarks and complaint resolution protocols organization-wide.
  7. Operational budget oversightmanage facility budgets and procurement strategies to maximize cost-effectiveness across the postal network.
  8. Change management initiativeslead adoption of new technology, workflows, and regulatory requirements across multiple postal locations.
  9. Cross-functional coordinationalign postal operations with transportation, public safety, and government compliance stakeholders at a regional level.
  10. Succession planningidentify and develop high-potential employees to ensure leadership continuity across the postal facility network.

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Delivery Supervisor · Distribution Operation Supervisor (SDO) · Distribution Operations Manager · Distribution Operations Supervisor · Mail Delivery Supervisor · Mail Superintendent · Order to Delivery Supervisor · Postal Service Sectional Center Manager · Postal Superintendent · Postal Supervisor · Postmaster · Postmaster Relief (PMR)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
O*NET skills
Social PerceptivenessCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesCritical ThinkingMonitoringNegotiationService OrientationLearning StrategiesPersuasionInstructingJudgment and Decision MakingWritingActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingSystems Analysis
Knowledge domains
Administration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeComputers and ElectronicsTransportationLaw and GovernmentPsychologyEconomics and Accounting
Abilities
Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingNear Vision
Work styles
Leadership OrientationDependabilityIntegrityAttention to DetailSelf-ControlCooperation
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareProcurement softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareOperating system softwareWord processing softwareTime accounting softwareHuman resources software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Monitor employees' work schedules and attendance for payroll purposes.
  2. Organize and supervise activities, such as the processing of incoming and outgoing mail.
  3. Resolve customer complaints.
  4. Prepare employee work schedules.
  5. Direct and coordinate operational, management, and supportive services of one or a number of postal facilities.
  6. Hire and train employees, and evaluate their performance.
  7. Prepare and submit detailed and summary reports of post office activities to designated supervisors.
  8. Negotiate labor disputes.
CIP education codes
44.0401

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.