Mail Clerk
What you'd do
This position is located within Logistics at the Alexandria VA Health Care System and is responsible for performing duties that include mailroom, telephone operator, and equipment operator roles. This position submits reports to management, coordinates workflow, and provides needed training to ensure successful daily work center operations.
Major duties
Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties concerned incoming and outgoing mail processing, mail equipment operation, pickup and delivery of interoffice mail, file maintenance, telephone operator, patient information and duplication equipment. Receives all facility mail from external sources, e.g., US Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, and UPS. Receipts and handles hazardous and/or perishable materials, urgent and sensitive documents (e.g., Express Mail, Priority Mail, etc.) varies among the different carriers but generally requires employee signature acknowledging receipts. Refuses mail pieces where packing, labeling, endorsements or addressing is so insufficient as to hinder or delay delivery. Assesses all incoming mail for potentially harmful or dangerous situations (e.g., Anthrax, incendiary, or explosive materials etc.). Determines the most cost-effective method for the duplication of originals, within guidelines provided by management. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all equipment assigned to the unit. Maintains reproduction log and provides weekly productivity statistics. Performs routine maintenance on machine daily and cleans machinery when necessary to ensure maximum operating efficiency, to correct deficiencies and to minimize "down time". Responsible for all aspects of reproduction services including copying, collating, and fastening all copies as requested. Assesses urgency and sensitivity of incoming Federal Express Mail, Priority Mail, overnight deliveries, hazardous and perishable materials for proper handling and delivery. Generates daily, weekly, and monthly workload reports from automated mail processing equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Mail Clerk/PD06190A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work involves extended periods of standing and walking, lifting items up to 60 pounds, bending, stopping, and pushing carts. May need to utilize a pallet jack to move palletized copy paper and bulk mails. The position requires good eyesight, and prolonged sitting to process calls or perform administrative tasks. Since calls are of varying difficulty and received at a rapid pace the tempo of pressure creates unusual demands on the operator. The position requires the operation of a van on the facility grounds and a motor vehicle to provide messenger service off facility grounds. The mental stress is much more demanding than the physical stress because of the split decisions that must be made as a police or fire alarm activates, telephones ring, and radio communication requesting instructions or information. The telephone operator must have a keen sense of hearing in responding to numerous audible/visual signals of wire communication receivers, and occasionally weak radio transmissions or signals.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/21/2026. Time in Grade Requirements: For a GS- 05 position Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to position is up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest non-temporary competitive appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: receiving, sorting, routing, and delivering all forms of mail properly to various points; handling bulk mailings with time/date stamp; operating basic computer applications including spreadsheets, data bases, scheduling, word processing and office systems. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4 years above high school. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school (transcripts required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience as described above and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience (transcripts required). For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. Applicants are required to pass agency Government Vehicle Drivers physical examination. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license.
Before you apply
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