Mail & Package Center Clerk

Department: Residential Ops & Services | Salary Grade: NEX/9

About the role

Under supervision of the Mail & Package Center Manager, the Mail & Package Center Clerk performs various postal duties, such as sorting and delivering mail, provides customer service to students and tracking mail and packages, processes incoming and outgoing packages for various carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.), and performs other duties as assigned. This position will provide indirect supervision to 50+ student workers in the Mail & Package Centers. The Clerk will support residential operations by maintaining high quality standards in mail services units in Residential Services. Must have excellent communication and customer service skills and respond to student needs in a professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Student Services (35%)
  • Sort and deliver mail to assigned residential areas
  • Process packages from various carriers including USPS, UPS, FedEx, Amazon, etc.
  • Forward first-class mail and packages in line with USPS guidelines
  • Provide information on mail and package policies and procedures
  • Set up and maintain records; review forms for completeness
  • Work on seasonal projects to support operations including summer operations
  • Participate in opening and closing procedures at the beginning and end of academic terms and summer schedules
• Contacts and Coordination (25%)
  • Respond to assigned emails in shared Outlook account
  • Act as liaison with mail courier and delivery services in collaboration with MPC Manager
  • Greet visitors, respond to inquiries, requests & provide routine information
  • Investigate reports of missing packages and inform MPC Manager of higher-level issues to follow up on
  • Work closely with and provide excellent communication and customer service to all students, parents, and staff supporting Residential Services on campus
  • Work with MPC Manager to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with other University employees and students
  • Keep MPC Manager informed regarding relevant issues in the Mail & Package Center
• Accounting and Inventory (15%)
  • Maintain inventory and place supply orders as needed
  • Coordinate remediation of packages which are incorrectly delivered or needing to be processed as return to sender by working with carriers to arrange regular pickups to avoid accumulation of non-deliverable packages
  • Work with MPC Manager to resolve delivery problems
• Supervision and Human Resources (15%)
  • Provide functional oversight, training, and day-to-day guidance to student employees assigned to the Mail & Package Center
  • Work with MPC Manager and other MPC Clerk for the recruitment, hiring, selection, and evaluation of student employees
  • Prepare forms & verify information
• Documents & Databases (5%)
  • Prepare and type form letters, memos, emails, labels, routine correspondence, etc.
  • Type, copy, and/or distribute reports, proposals, presentations, etc.
  • Proof for spelling and grammar
  • Enter information into spreadsheets and databases
  • Run standard reports
• Other related duties as assigned (5%)

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent required
• 1 year of administrative support or other relevant experience required
• Must be able to lift mail bags, boxes, or other items weighing up to 50 lbs

Minimum Competencies

• Basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs is required

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with a variety of populations in a college setting
• Experience working in central mailroom
• Experience with quality assurance of packages including those lacking proper delivery information, ensuring the proper recipients are notified and able to pick up their items in a timely manner

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal communication, organization, and administrative skills
• Effective written and oral communication
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Suite programs, including Word & Excel
• Knowledge of WhenToWork software
• Knowledge of StarRez mail tracking software suite

Benefits

• Health & Retirement: Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more. Details at Northwestern Benefits
• Work-Life and Wellness: Comprehensive programs and services to help navigate life’s challenges and adopt healthy lifestyles. Flexible work arrangements where possible, plus programs to help locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Details at Work-Life & Wellness
• Professional Growth and Development: Career development support whether on campus or remote. Tools and resources for professional potential and continuing formal education. Details at Learning & Development

Pay

The pay range for the Mail & Package Center Clerk position is $20.43–$21.85 per hour, depending on experience, skills, and internal equity.