Couriers / Messengers

Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Courier; Delivery Driver; Driver; Lab Courier (Laboratory Courier); Mail Carrier; Mailroom Courier; Messenger; Security Messenger; Transporter; Vehicle Delivery Worker

Tasks

• Deliver and pick up medical records, lab specimens, and medications to and from hospitals and other medical facilities.
• Walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials.
• Load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods.
• Receive messages or materials to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and delivery instructions, communicated via telephone, two-way radio, or in person.
• Deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments and to other establishments and private homes.
• Record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages.
• Unload and sort items collected along delivery routes.
• Sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route.
• Plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods.
• Perform routine maintenance on delivery vehicles, such as monitoring fluid levels and replenishing fuel.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Transportation

Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Multilimb Coordination
• Near Vision
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Written Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Speech Clarity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Perceptual Speed
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Control Precision
• Response Orientation
• Depth Perception