Switchboard / Telephone Operator
Quick Facts
What They Do
A Switchboard or Telephone Operator works for a telephone company or system to operate telephone system equipment to route incoming calls, direct internal calls, or assist customers with placing calls. Assists with connecting long distance or collect calls, or provides customers with assistance in finding a phone number or an address. May also answer customer calls at a company or organization or work for an agency that handles and routes emergency calls.
Core Tasks:
- Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.
- Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.
- Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.
- Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.
- Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.
- Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.
- Relay or route written or verbal messages.
- Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.
- Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.
- Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.
- Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.
- Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.
What to expect as a Switchboard / Telephone Operator
57% of people achieve this level of education.
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856 openings for Switchboard / Telephone Operators
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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