Mail Clerk

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Hines (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital in Hines, IL seeks a Mail Clerk to support the Mailroom/ Reproduction Section in Logistics - Supply Chain Management.

The position requires GS-5 grade with experience or education as described; workload includes heavy mail handling up to 50 pounds, daily routing, and use of Hasler, inserter, UPS Campus Ship, and Smart Track systems. Monday–Friday 7:00am–3:30pm; telework not available.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience or two years above high school education required.
• Ability to route mail and understand medical-technical terminology.
• Knowledge of mail operations and procedures compliance.

Responsibilities

• Pickup and deliver all mail across units and delivery points.
• Process and sort mail including registered, certified, insured, and next-day delivery.
• Review incoming materials to determine proper delivery point.
• Route items using VA-wide mail codes and subdivisions.
• Operate mailroom equipment (Hasler, inserter, UPS Campus Ship, Smart Track).
• Maintain production and supply usage records on data entry spreadsheets.
• Maintain disposition or correspondence records and directives.
• Change toners and clear jams.
• Coordinate shipments with contractors and vendors.
• Work schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm; Telework not suitable.

Skills

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Reading Comprehension

Self-Management

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

2 years above high school

Tools

Hasler mail machine

Letter inserter machine

UPS Campus Ship

Smart Track systems

Job description

Summary

This position is organizationally aligned under the Mailroom/Reproduction Section in the Logistics - Supply Chain Management Service - located at the Edward Hines - Jr. - Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH) - Hines - IL - a level 1a VHA Complexity Facility.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 09/21/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-5 Grade Requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-4 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience are: Knowledge of the functions of a number of closely related medical - technical - and administrative organizations to route various types of mail. Knowledge of medical - technical - and specialized terminology associated with activities of several facility organizations in order to route specialized subject-matter materials to appropriate operating sub elements. Knowledge to process all types of incoming and outgoing mail in accordance with procedures. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years above high school. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of experience and education as described. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Teamwork Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work consists of prolonged standing - walking - stooping - bending and lifting to transport file records - supplies - equipment - heavy packages and mail bags weighing over 50 pounds. Heavier items are moved with weight handling equipment or with assistance from co-workers. 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/.

Duties

• Pickup and delivers all mail from the US Post Office - which includes 55 active units/services throughout the Medical Center and 85 delivery points
• Processes and sorts all mail received and sent - including registered - certified - insured mail and next day delivery for all activities within the center
• Incumbent reviews incoming miscellaneous materials including mail - publications - and directives - to determine proper delivery point
• Mail routing difficulties are minimized by utilizing the national model of VA wide mail codes for services and their subdivisions
• Performs presort into action and information categories
• reads action material and routes non-controlled items to the appropriate unit by technical subject matter content
• The outgoing material is received from Veterans - Service Lines from the Medical Center - and CBOCs
• Operates mailroom equipment to include a Hasler mail machine - letter inserter machine - UPS Campus Ship and smart track systems
• Ensures that operations are in accordance with manufactures' instructions
• The incumbent maintains accurate production and supply usage records on data entry spread sheets
• maintains the disposition or correspondence records forms reports and directives of the medical center
• changes toners and removes any jams
• Contractors and sales people also receive shipments through internal mail service channels
• To repair or upgrade our shipping equipment we contact vendors/sales people or technical support personnel
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Suitable Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Mail Clerk/PD252580 Preferred experience : Mail room or Post office experience and experience with printing reproduction.