Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for OPSEU Courier

💰 $38,000 - $55,000 (annual, depending on experience & location)

LogisticsCourierTransportationFacilitiesUnion

🎯 Role Definition

The OPSEU Courier is responsible for timely, secure and accurate movement of mail, packages and sensitive documents between OPSEU offices, bargaining units, service providers and external partners. The role emphasizes road safety, chain-of-custody for confidential material, professional customer service, and meticulous records (electronic and paper). Couriers support daily mailroom operations, special event logistics, and ad-hoc urgent deliveries while maintaining OPSEU’s standards for reliability and union protocols.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Mailroom Clerk or Mailroom Attendant (interoffice sorting and distribution)
  • Delivery Driver or Courier (commercial or municipal)
  • Warehouse/Logistics Associate (inventory, packing and shipping)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Courier / Lead Driver
  • Mailroom Supervisor / Mail Services Coordinator
  • Fleet or Logistics Coordinator
  • Facilities or Site Services Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Dispatch Coordinator or Route Planner
  • Facilities Attendant / Building Services
  • Event Logistics Support

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Deliver scheduled and time-sensitive interoffice mail, parcels, signed documents and couriered packages for OPSEU locations and external partners, following assigned routes and ensuring on-time performance and customer satisfaction.
  • Securely collect, transport and deliver confidential and legal documents while maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures and adhering to privacy and confidentiality protocols.
  • Operate OPSEU vehicles safely and responsibly, performing daily pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, documenting issues, and reporting maintenance needs to Fleet Services in a timely manner.
  • Use GPS, routing software and handheld ePOD (electronic proof of delivery) devices to optimize routes, update delivery status in real-time, capture recipient signatures and maintain accurate electronic records of deliveries and returns.
  • Load and unload mail, parcels and equipment safely using appropriate manual-handling techniques and powered aids when provided; balance cargo to ensure vehicle stability and compliance with weight restrictions.
  • Maintain accurate, auditable logs and delivery manifests (paper and electronic), including time stamps, recipient information, exceptions, returned items and incidents; prepare daily reconciliation reports for Mail Services.
  • Provide professional, courteous customer service to internal staff, union members and external contacts, answering questions about shipments, tracking status and escalating delivery exceptions appropriately.
  • Manage ad-hoc urgent and same-day requests, reprioritizing routes and coordinating with supervisors to meet critical deadlines while minimizing service disruption.
  • Coordinate pickups and deliveries with internal mailrooms, external vendors, legal counsel and third-party couriers to ensure seamless movement of time-sensitive materials and parcels.
  • Inspect packages and mail for damage, suspect contents or incorrect labeling; follow established protocols for damaged goods, hazardous materials, suspected contraband and secure reporting procedures.
  • Collect outgoing mail and deliveries, sort by route and priority, and prepare outgoing manifests, postage and courier documentation as required by OPSEU mailroom standards.
  • Handle confidential ballots, grievance materials, legal notices and other sensitive union documentation with discretion and in accordance with OPSEU policies and applicable legislation.
  • Complete daily mileage, fuel, incident and maintenance logs accurately and submit by the required deadlines to support fleet tracking, budgeting and compliance.
  • Adhere to Occupational Health & Safety policies, safe work procedures and traffic laws at all times; participate in safety meetings, vehicle safety checks and required training programs.
  • Assist in the coordination and logistics for OPSEU events, meetings and special projects, including setup, delivery of supplies, equipment transport and teardown as requested by Facilities or Events teams.
  • Implement efficient route planning and time management strategies to reduce travel time, fuel consumption and service costs while maintaining guaranteed delivery windows.
  • Train, mentor and provide on-the-job coaching to new courier staff or temporary drivers to ensure consistent service levels and adherence to OPSEU standards.
  • Collaborate with Dispatch, Mail Services and Facilities teams to resolve delivery exceptions, lost items and billing discrepancies, documenting root causes and recommending process improvements.
  • Enforce and respect collective agreement terms, workplace policies and union protocols as they apply to mailroom and courier operations, raising concerns to supervision when contract or policy issues arise.
  • Respond to and document motor vehicle incidents, near-misses and security breaches; cooperate with investigations and complete required incident reports and follow-up actions.
  • Maintain a professional and organized vehicle interior and exterior, ensuring branding, signage and equipment (hand truck, straps, safety vest) are present, in good condition and compliant with OPSEU standards.
  • Support inventory control for mailroom supplies and courier consumables (labels, packing materials, PPE), notifying supervisors when reorders are required and assisting with stock counts.

Secondary Functions

  • Support special courier projects such as confidential ballot distribution, legal courier runs, and off-site archival transfers requiring additional security measures.
  • Assist mailroom staff with peak-volume sorting, batch scanning, label application and package staging during high-demand periods (e.g., membership drives, collective bargaining cycles).
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives for delivery routing, ePOD integration, vehicle usage and cost reduction; propose practical changes based on frontline insights.
  • Provide back-up coverage for other facilities duties such as reception overflow, basic courier dispatching and mailroom equipment operation as directed by the supervisor.
  • Maintain familiarity with digital mail tracking systems and participate in pilot programs to digitize proof of delivery and inventory controls.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Valid Ontario Class G driver’s license (or applicable provincial equivalent) with a clean driving record and ability to meet fleet insurance requirements.
  • Proven experience using GPS and route optimization tools (Google Maps, Waze, Route4Me, or enterprise routing software).
  • Proficiency in handheld ePOD or delivery apps (ability to capture signatures, take delivery photos and enter exception codes).
  • Strong knowledge of interoffice mailroom processes, parcel handling, labeling standards and postage requirements.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform safe manual handling and to lift, carry and secure packages up to employer-specified weights (commonly up to 50 lbs/23 kg).
  • Basic vehicle maintenance knowledge (fluid checks, tire inspection, minor troubleshooting) and the ability to report mechanical defects accurately.
  • Familiarity with occupational health & safety (OH&S) regulations, workplace lifting protocols and incident reporting processes.
  • Competence with basic computer applications (email, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and web-based tracking/dispatch systems).
  • Experience with chain-of-custody procedures for confidential/legal documents and understanding of privacy requirements.
  • Ability to complete and maintain accurate delivery manifests, mileage logs, fuel receipts and daily reconciliation reports.

Soft Skills

  • Strong time management and route-planning abilities; consistently meets scheduled delivery windows and adapts to changing priorities.
  • Excellent interpersonal and customer-service skills; interacts professionally with members, staff and external partners.
  • High attention to detail and accuracy for record-keeping, POD documentation and handling sensitive materials.
  • Reliability, punctuality and a proven track record of dependable attendance.
  • Sound judgment and problem-solving skills to resolve delivery exceptions, access issues and routing conflicts on the fly.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for interaction with dispatch, supervisors and recipients.
  • Physical stamina, resilience and the ability to work in varying weather conditions while maintaining safety standards.
  • Team orientation and flexibility to support mailroom peaks, special projects and cross-functional duties.
  • Integrity and discretion when handling confidential union documents and member information.
  • Initiative and continuous-improvement mindset; identifies inefficiencies and suggests practical operational improvements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (grade 12 / Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent).

Preferred Education:

  • College certificate or diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field (an asset, not mandatory).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Transportation and Fleet Management
  • Business Administration
  • Occupational Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1–3 years of courier, delivery driving or mailroom experience (entry-level applicants with strong driving records and customer service experience will be considered).

Preferred:

  • 2+ years delivering time-sensitive or confidential documents, experience working in a unionized environment or public sector mailroom, and prior use of ePOD and routing software.
Explore More Careers