Messenger Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a messenger. Feel free to use our messenger job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a messenger.
Who is a Messenger?
An office messenger is responsible for transporting documents and small packages from one office to another. One of the most common modes of transportation for an office messenger is the bicycle. This is because a bicycle can be left in the lobby of a building or office while a package is being delivered. Unlike driving a car for errands, the messenger does not have to waste his time finding parking and walking between the parking spot and the office building. There is no specific prerequisite training for an office messenger, but it is important to be physically fit and knowledgeable about the geography of the city’s business district.
The nature of office messenger work has changed since fax machines and electronic mail have become common. Now that documents can be transmitted to the other side of the globe in a matter of seconds, it is not necessary to have an individual physically deliver hard copies of certain documents in many cases. There are, however, some documents that must be delivered in hard-copy form. This is especially true of documents that require signatures and legal documents. These kinds of documents are still sent via office messenger regularly.
Along with delivering packages safely and on time, an office messenger is frequently tasked with obtaining proof of delivery. This evidence may take the form of a handwritten signature on a scrap of paper or an electronic screen. Certain businesses that hire messengers provide them with devices that capture such signatures, allowing customers to track the delivery of their packages. In some very large cities, an office messenger may be assigned to a specific district. For instance, a New York City office messenger may be tasked with the sole responsibility of transporting packages within the financial district or midtown area.
There are several disadvantages to working as an office messenger. To begin, the job can be physically demanding and exposes employees to an increased risk of bodily injury. Even the most cautious bikers face injury when traveling alongside cars and trucks. Additionally, the job is not particularly well-compensated, and there is little room for advancement. In comparison to other occupations, office messengers have little opportunity for advancement.
Throughout history, the demise of messenger jobs has been anticipated and predicted in response to popular acceptance of major technological advances such as the telephone, fax machine, personal computer, and now smartphones. Nonetheless, messenger jobs are required for a variety of reasons and by a variety of different types of businesses, including banks, real estate firms, hospitals, and law firms. Similarly, while some private document delivery companies were initially viewed as an unnecessary duplication of services already provided by the national postal service, these businesses have thrived by providing faster, more reliable, or specialized services. Messenger jobs will continue to be necessary as long as traditional postal or package delivery services cannot meet all of a customer’s needs. Different types of messenger jobs reflect their area of expertise and include time-sensitive services, product shipment services, and value-added services.
Time-sensitive messenger jobs are well-known and widely used in both the general public and the business world. The messenger company hired for such assignments is typically determined by the distance traveled by the document or item. Overnight delivery requiring transportation over a long distance frequently necessitates the use of a national or international firm to ensure delivery within the specified time frame. Same-day deliveries — for example, medical test specimens to clinical laboratories — are frequently made by car or van. Banks and legal firms in urban areas frequently use messengers for same-day delivery.
Specialty product delivery frequently necessitates the use of messenger companies with specialized licenses, certifications, or approvals. These types of messenger jobs involve the delivery of tissues, organs, laboratory samples, and other potentially biohazardous materials. As previously stated, the majority of health systems transport medical samples to nearby laboratories via car or van. Certain architectural firms employ same-city car messengers to deliver oversized drafting plans or architectural models. When signed or original documents are required for legal purposes, law firms and financial institutions frequently use messengers to deliver them.
Additionally, messenger jobs may involve special shipments of valuable items or anything else that requires documented delivery. National postal services, as well as domestic and international delivery services, all offer delivery documentation and content insurance as a value-added service. To ensure the security of particularly valuable items or information, messenger jobs may be kept in-house. Certain urban jewel merchants employ discreet messengers to pick up and deliver valuables on a need-to-know basis. Due to the inherent risk associated with delivering valuable items, the majority of these messenger jobs require that employers be bonded and insured.
Messenger Job Description
Below are the messenger job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a messenger job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a messenger include the following:
- Obtaining, inspecting, and signing for parcels at their designated pickup locations.
- Taking extra care to load the parcels safely into your bag or vehicle.
- Creating and selecting the most efficient routes.
- Transporting items to designated drop-off locations.
- Responding to recipients’ inquiries regarding the delivery process.
- Assembling all necessary documentation and have both you and the recipient sign it upon delivery.
- Verifying that you have completed all assigned work for the day.
- Notifying your line manager of unfulfilled deliveries.
- Maintaining a friendly and helpful demeanor while performing your duties.
- Delivering packages, documents, written and verbal messages, and other items securely and on time to the intended location or recipient.
- Managing incoming mail in a professional and timely manner by opening, sorting, and distributing it.
- Planning the most efficient and expedient route for deliveries between locations; organizing deliveries accordingly.
- Maintaining accurate records regarding the receipt and delivery of packages, documents, messages, and other items, including tracking the date and time of the delivery and the parties involved.
- Delivering items by unloading them from large trucks and loading them onto smaller vehicles.
- Performing routine maintenance on delivery vehicles or scheduling it.
Other critical responsibilities include the following: Confidentiality
- Transporting confidential information
Messengers are frequently tasked with the responsibility of transporting documents containing a variety of sensitive and confidential information. It is necessary to make a firm commitment to deliver the documents without viewing or disclosing any of the information. Businesses and organizations rely on the messengers’ integrity when dealing with this type of material.
- Physical Activities
Due to the nature of the job, messengers are frequently required to perform movements that require the use of their entire body. They may choose to pick up or deliver items by walking or riding a bicycle, which requires more energy and movement than driving a vehicle. It is possible that stooping, lifting, and balancing will be required. Handling fragile or bulky materials may be part of their daily responsibilities as they load and unload deliveries.
- Route Planning and Execution
Efficiency is critical to messengers’ success. When working in a large city, a messenger’s ability to plan routes that allow for the quickest travel time is critical. Messengers must be able to use mapping applications to enter addresses and navigate to their destinations successfully. Messengers must be able to choose alternate routes if a route is compromised, allowing them to reach their designated locations as quickly as possible.
- Adapting to Unexpected Circumstances
At times, messengers must act as problem solvers. They may encounter difficulties at the pickup or drop-off locations. At pickup locations, documents and goods may not be available. There may be some confusion over addresses. The packaging may have been damaged. The route prescribed may include detours or delays.
Qualifications
If you want to work as a messenger, you must be an organized bookkeeper. To make deliveries on time, you’ll need strong time management skills, as well as a good sense of direction and knowledge of your territory. You must be able to work independently and maintain patience while driving in adverse conditions. Effective interpersonal skills will enable you to communicate effectively with clients and represent your employer in public.
Certain employers require messengers to possess a high school diploma or equivalent. If you have a high school diploma, you will have an advantage in finding a messenger job. There are no prerequisite academic courses, and a diploma is not always required.
Driver’s License
In urban areas, messengers occasionally make deliveries by bicycle. However, the majority of messenger jobs require a valid state driver’s license and a clean driving record. You may need to be able to drive a van or truck depending on the type of parcel. Oftentimes, messengers are required to provide their vehicle or bicycle for delivery. However, if the item requires a special vehicle, the employer is typically responsible for providing one.
Training
The majority of messengers gain experience on the job by working alongside an experienced worker for a week or longer. During training, you’ll assist with loading and unloading deliveries and handling paperwork. Businesses that handle human organs, plasma, or other medical deliveries require new employees to attend a brief in-house courier school or an online certification program to learn proper handling techniques for these delicate materials following Department of Transportation regulations.
Essential Skills
Successful messengers must demonstrate superior organizational and communication abilities. They have an eagle eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to accuracy. They are excellent time managers and can navigate to your various destinations via a variety of routes. Employers are looking for Messenger candidates who possess the following skills and abilities in addition to these general abilities and personality traits:
- Recalling critical information necessary to complete pickups and deliveries, such as building codes and routine routes
- Adhering to all traffic regulations on designated routes to ensure the safe delivery of documents and goods
- Identifying which packages and documents should be picked up or delivered, as well as verifying the destination addresses
- Organizing packages and documents according to stop order to avoid confusion and a delay in the route’s planned timing
- Obtaining signatures, necessary documentation, and payment for picked-up or delivered items
- Contacting the headquarters to report and confirm successful deliveries and to inquire about newly assigned delivery orders
- Maintaining accurate logs or records to verify ordered deliveries
- Accurately and meticulously completing required paperwork promptly
How to Begin a Career as a Messenger
A job seeker interested in becoming a messenger will require the appropriate combination of equipment, skills, and contacts. Although the equipment required to become a messenger varies slightly by city, it will always include an excellent bike, some cargo storage space, and navigational aids. A messenger must be familiar with the geography of the city in which he or she wishes to work and be in good physical condition. Finding a reputable messenger company to work for and developing relationships with other messengers in the area is also beneficial.
Additionally, a messenger must acquire some additional equipment. A bag is necessary, and it should be waterproof. Additionally, maps or a device equipped with global positioning system (GPS) technology are extremely beneficial. A lock is also necessary to secure the messenger’s bike while he or she is picking up or dropping off packages.
Anyone considering a career as a messenger should anticipate days spent performing difficult, demanding, and dangerous work. Messengers must be able to drive for several hours each day. They are constantly weaving their way through dense urban traffic and thus require quick reflexes to avoid accidents or injuries, which are all too common in this occupation.
While navigational aids make getting around easier, anyone interested in becoming a messenger should have a working knowledge of urban geography. It is advantageous to be familiar with the actual locations of buildings and streets. A familiarity with daily traffic patterns is also extremely beneficial.
Generally, a messenger must work through a messenger service. These services advertise and are easy to find, but finding the right one to work for can make becoming a messenger much easier. The majority of services charge on a per-delivery basis rather than on an hourly basis. Although few services provide medical or other benefits, some do, and it is worthwhile to investigate this aspect of potential employers, especially given messengers’ high rate of on-the-job injury.
Certain cities have thriving messenger communities. These communities promote social interaction and camaraderie. More importantly, they can provide leads and information about messenger services in a particular city for someone interested in becoming a messenger.
Where to Work as a Messenger
Most messengers work for law firms, hospitals, businesses, or delivery services.
Messenger Salary Scale
In the United States, the national average salary for a Messenger is $40,478 per year.