Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service
Prepare incoming and outgoing mail for distribution. Time-stamp, open, read, sort, and route incoming mail; and address, seal, stamp, fold, stuff, and affix postage to outgoing mail or packages. Duties may also include keeping necessary records and completed forms.
Sample of reported job titles:
Insert Operator, Inserter Operator, Mail Clerk, Mail Handler, Mail Machine Operator, Mail Processor, Mail Reader, Mail Sorter, Postal Clerk
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Tasks
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Wrap packages or bundles by hand, or by using tying machines.
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Verify that items are addressed correctly, marked with the proper postage, and in suitable condition for processing.
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Remove containers of sorted mail or parcels and transfer them to designated areas according to established procedures.
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Sort and route incoming mail, and collect outgoing mail, using carts as necessary.
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Affix postage to packages or letters by hand, or stamp materials, using postage meters.
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Determine manner in which mail is to be sent, and prepare it for delivery to mailing facilities.
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Accept and check containers of mail or parcels from large volume mailers, couriers, and contractors.
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Seal or open envelopes, by hand or by using machines.
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Weigh packages or letters to determine postage needed, using weighing scales and rate charts.
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Operate embossing machines or typewriters to make corrections, additions, and changes to address plates.
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Inspect mail machine output for defects and determine how to eliminate causes of any defects.
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Remove from machines printed materials, such as labeled articles, postmarked envelopes or tape, and folded sheets.
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Release packages or letters to customers upon presentation of written notices or other identification.
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Operate computer-controlled keyboards or voice recognition equipment to direct items according to established routing schemes.
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Answer inquiries regarding shipping or mailing policies.
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Lift and unload containers of mail or parcels onto equipment for transportation to sortation stations.
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Contact delivery or courier services to arrange delivery of letters and parcels.
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Place incoming or outgoing letters or packages into sacks or bins based on destination or type, and place identifying tags on sacks or bins.
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Clear jams in sortation equipment.
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Mail merchandise samples or promotional literature in response to requests.
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Adjust guides, rollers, loose card inserters, weighing machines, and tying arms, using rules and hand tools.
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Read production orders to determine types and sizes of items scheduled for printing and mailing.
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Sell mail products, and accept payment for products and mailing charges.
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Start machines that automatically feed plates, stencils, or tapes through mechanisms, and observe machine operations to detect any malfunctions.
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Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines.
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Stamp dates and times of receipt of incoming mail.
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Add ink, fill paste reservoirs, and change machine ribbons when necessary.
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Use equipment, such as forklifts and automated "trains," to move containers of mail.
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Fold letters or circulars and insert them in envelopes.
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Technology Skills
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Accounting software — Financial accounting software
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Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access

; Recordkeeping software
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Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
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Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook
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Internet browser software — Web browser software
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Mailing and shipping software — Postal Explorer
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Office suite software — Microsoft Office
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Operating system software — Microsoft Windows
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Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
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Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
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Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technologies are requirements frequently included in employer job postings.
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Work Activities
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Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
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Package objects for shipping.
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Weigh parcels to determine shipping costs.
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Unload materials or equipment.
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Operate office equipment.
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Verify shipping documentation.
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Inspect items for damage or defects.
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Route mail to correct destinations.
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Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
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Obtain written authorization to perform activities.
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Operate computers or computerized equipment.
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Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
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Attach identification information to products, items or containers.
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Coordinate shipping activities with external parties.
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Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
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Adjust office equipment to ensure proper operation.
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Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements.
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Send information, materials or documentation.
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Collect deposits, payments or fees.
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Sell products or services.
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Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
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Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
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Work Context
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 99% responded “Every day.”
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Telephone — 89% responded “Every day.”
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Electronic Mail — 86% responded “Every day.”
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Frequency of Decision Making — 81% responded “Every day.”
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Contact With Others — 79% responded “Constant contact with others.”
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Face-to-Face Discussions — 75% responded “Every day.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 68% responded “Extremely important.”
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Structured versus Unstructured Work — 54% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Work With Work Group or Team — 67% responded “Extremely important.”
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Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 15% responded “More than half the time.”
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Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 25% responded “Very important.”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 26% responded “Important results.”
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Time Pressure — 73% responded “Every day.”
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Freedom to Make Decisions — 29% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 39% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
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Physical Proximity — 74% responded “Moderately close (at arm's length).”
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Spend Time Standing — 70% responded “More than half the time.”
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Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 19% responded “Moderate responsibility.”
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Letters and Memos — 41% responded “Every day.”
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Deal With External Customers — 21% responded “Important.”
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Consequence of Error — 39% responded “Very serious.”
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Duration of Typical Work Week — 18% responded “Less than 40 hours.”
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Coordinate or Lead Others — 28% responded “Important.”
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Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 73% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
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Spend Time Sitting — 39% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — 32% responded “Very high responsibility.”
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Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body — 38% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Spend Time Walking and Running — 22% responded “Less than half the time.”
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Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
- Related Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
- Job Zone Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
- SVP Range
- 3 months to 1 year of preparation (4.0 to < 6.0)
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Training & Credentials
- State training
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- Local training
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- Certifications
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- Apprenticeships
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Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov
to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.
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Skills
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Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- High school diploma or equivalent required for some jobsmore info
- Less than high school diploma required for some jobs
- Associate’s degree required for some jobs
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Abilities
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Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
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Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Interests
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Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
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Work Values
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Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
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Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
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Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
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Work Styles
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Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
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Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
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Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
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Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
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Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
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Wages & Employment Trends
- Median wages (2021)
- $15.65 hourly, $32,550 annual
- State wages
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- Local wages
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- Employment (2020)
- 82,200 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030)
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Decline (-1% or lower)
- Projected job openings (2020-2030)
- 8,800
- State trends
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- Top industries (2020)
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
and 2020-2030 employment projections
.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
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Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
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- Local job openings
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