PRINCIPAL POSTAL CLERK (R14)

Code: 20424 State Competitive Range: R14 (FY 2027) Work week 40: FLSA coveredOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $48,807.15 - $70,640.55/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a supervisory official in a state department or agency which has its own post office, assists in supervising and performs the work involved in the operation of a mail section, utilizing electronic and computerized equipment, including the use, maintenance, service, and repair of equipment used in the preparation of material for mailing and the accounting of postal funds; may drive a single axle truck of a gross weight not to exceed 25,999 pounds to assure continuity of service, as required; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Takes the lead in supervising the clerical and other work of the mail section and personally does the routine and other duties involved.
• Assigns, instructs, and supervises the work performance of subordinates, including collecting, sorting, distributing, recording, and stamping incoming and outgoing letters and packages and assures compliance with federal regulations.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Assists in developing and revising work procedures and keeps abreast of new trends and innovations to assure economy and federal regulations.
• Maintains daily accounts of postage charges for user agencies; prepares reports of postage used by the various units on a monthly basis according to the statutes of the Central Postage Account System.
• Operates, regulates, and services Electronic Remote Meter machines and orders supplies as required.
• Sees that letters and packages are weighed and that they carry the correct amount of postage in accordance with federal regulations.
• Provides information concerning mailing charges and schedules over the telephone and in person in answer to inquiries from the using agency.
• May drive the mail truck, as required.
• May occasionally be required to drive a single axle truck of a gross vehicle weight not to exceed 25,999 pounds.
• Sees that inserting, sealing, and stamping machines are properly maintained, calibrated, adjusted, and repaired in order that all sizes and types of envelopes can be stuffed mechanically.
• Supervises the collection and delivery of outgoing mail to the United States Post Office in accordance with federal regulations.
• Maintains accounts for postal fees including metered postal accounts and special delivery, special handling, air mail, registered mail, express mail, insured mail, and other postage accounts.
• Maintains an accurate and up-to-date schedule of collection and delivery times to ensure that the mail is properly handled.
• Makes the arrangements required for the expediting of emergency and other unusual and/or peak mail loads.
• Prepares accurate and informative statistical, accounting, financial, and other reports of mail unit programs and activities containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Plans and schedules authorized work projects in accordance with federal regulations using all available resources for economy.
• Organizes supervisory and technical work and develops effective work methods.
• Operates, makes required adjustments, and performs routine maintenance on the following machines: inserting and sealing machines, electronic remote meter machines, perforated machines, automated presort machine, remote accounting system, and electronic scales.
• Maintains simple inventory records of the supplies of envelopes and cards and other materials used by the unit and orders the additional supplies required.
• Confers with the supervisor on problems relating to the propriety, the volume, or the design of work projects, on problems relating to the acquisition of new materials or equipment, and on problems relating to personnel or other administrative matters.
• As required, acts in place of the supervisor in his/her absence.
• Maintains records of the volume and type of completed material produced by the unit and other essential records, reports, and files in order to justify services and ensure economy of mail service.
• Maintains essential mailing unit records and files.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience involved in collecting, sorting, distributing, recording, and stamping of incoming and outgoing mail.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the processes involved in the collecting, sorting, distributing, recording, and stamping of a large volume of incoming and outgoing letters and packages, and the utilization of electronic meter machines, remote accounting systems, electronic scales and perforated machines.
• Knowledge of postal regulations, changes, and accounts.
• Knowledge of United States postal regulations pertaining to special delivery, registered, insured, special handling, and other specialized categories of mail.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the United States Post Office and the policies, standards, and procedures of the Department of the Treasury concerning the processing of incoming and outgoing letters and packages and their application to specific situations.
• Knowledge of the types and qualities of various types of envelopes, cards, and other materials which are used in the various processes.
• Knowledge of the records and systems used in keeping accounts of financial transactions.
• Knowledge of the operation, adjustment, repair, and maintenance, of inserting and sealing machines, electronic remote meter machines, electronic scales, remote accounting systems, and perforated machine.
• Knowledge of call number and/or zip codes used for sorting intra and interdepartmental mail.
• Ability to recognize, understand, update, and train employees on presort in accordance with United State Postal regulations.
• Ability to assign and instruct Postal Clerks, Senior Postal Clerks, clerical employees, truck drivers, and/or other mail unit employees, and to supervise the performance of their work.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise the mail section programs and staff, develop realistic delivery and pickup schedules, and take the measures required to handle emergency, peak, seasonal, and/or other unusual loads in order that the regular processing of the mails shall not be delayed.
• Ability to plan and supervise procedures for the receipt, date stamping, and interdepartment distribution of incoming mail and packages, including the recording of signatures where so required.
• Ability to organize the clerical and mechanical work involved in the work of the mail section and develop effective work procedures.
• Ability to keep daily accounts of postage costs charged to the various units, transfer them to the ledger and prepare and send out statements periodically.
• Ability to determine the proper amounts of postage required for letters and packages.
• Ability to drive a mail truck carrying mail and packages.
• Ability to load and unload mail trucks as required.
• Ability to keep extensive records, prepare reports, maintain files, and perform the accompanying clerical duties.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative accounting, statistical, and other mail unit reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.