Postal Service Clerks.

This job has 19 core tasks. We went through 15 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Postal Service Clerks actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

1. TASK 01

   Keep money drawers in order, and record and balance daily transactions.

   AI DOES

   Auto-calculates totals, flags mismatches, and generates transaction reports

   YOU DO

   Physically count and verify the cash drawer yourself

2. TASK 02

   Answer questions regarding mail regulations and procedures, postage rates, and post office boxes.

   AI DOES

   Searches postal rules, rates, and box details to give fast, accurate answers

   YOU DO

   Read the customer's full situation and handle edge cases or upset people with care

3. TASK 03

   Complete forms regarding changes of address, or theft or loss of mail, or for special services such as registered or priority mail.

   AI DOES

   Pre-fills form fields, flags missing info, and checks for errors

   YOU DO

   Verify the customer's identity and handle unusual or disputed situations

4. TASK 04

   Order retail items and other supplies for office use.

   AI DOES

   Drafts supply lists, compares vendor prices, and fills ordering forms

   YOU DO

   Judge what supplies are truly needed and approve spending decisions

5. TASK 05

   Weigh letters and parcels, compute mailing costs based on type, weight, and destination, and affix correct postage.

   AI DOES

   Calculates postage rates and prints labels automatically

   YOU DO

   Handle odd-shaped items and answer customer questions in person

6. TASK 06

   Respond to complaints regarding mail theft, delivery problems, and lost or damaged mail, filling out forms and making appropriate referrals for investigation.

   AI DOES

   Suggests response templates, auto-fills common form fields, and flags cases that need investigation

   YOU DO

   Listen carefully to each customer and use judgment to decide the right referral or action

7. TASK 07

   Provide assistance to the public in complying with federal regulations of Postal Service and other federal agencies.

   AI DOES

   Quickly finds current postal regulations and summarizes compliance steps

   YOU DO

   Read the person's situation, explain rules clearly face-to-face, and handle edge cases

8. TASK 08

   Provide customers with assistance in filing claims for mail theft, or lost or damaged mail.

   AI DOES

   Auto-fills claim forms, looks up tracking data, and answers common questions about the claims process

   YOU DO

   Read the customer's mood, make judgment calls on edge cases, and build trust when someone is upset about lost mail

9. TASK 09

   Rent post office boxes to customers.

   AI DOES

   Fills out rental forms, answers FAQs, and checks box availability

   YOU DO

   Verify ID in person, collect payment, and hand over the physical key

10. TASK 10

    Check mail to ensure correct postage and that packages and letters are in proper condition for mailing.

    AI DOES

    Reads barcodes and scans postage to flag underpaid or missing payment automatically

    YOU DO

    Physically inspect package condition, damage, and unusual items that sensors miss

11. TASK 11

    Register, certify, and insure letters and parcels.

    AI DOES

    Helps look up rates, flags missing info, and suggests correct postage or service type

    YOU DO

    Handle the physical items, verify IDs, collect payment, and serve customers face to face

12. TASK 12

    Sort incoming and outgoing mail, according to type and destination, by hand or by operating electronic mail-sorting and scanning devices.

    AI DOES

    Reads barcodes and addresses to suggest routing paths in sorting software

    YOU DO

    Handle oddly shaped, damaged, or unreadable mail pieces that machines can't process

13. TASK 13

    Sell and collect payment for products such as stamps, prepaid mail envelopes, and money orders.

    AI DOES

    Powers self-service kiosk pricing and transaction flow

    YOU DO

    Handle cash, verify IDs, and serve customers face-to-face

14. TASK 14

    Receive letters and parcels, and place mail into bags.

    AI DOES

    Helps route and sort mail digitally in some automated systems

    YOU DO

    Handle physical items, judge damaged or unusual packages, and do the hands-on work

15. TASK 15

    Feed mail into postage canceling devices or hand stamp mail to cancel postage.

    AI DOES

    Monitors machine performance data in some smart systems

    YOU DO

    Keep hands on the mail and run the physical equipment