Telephone Operator

Full Job Description

The employee will serve as the Telephone Operator at the El Paso VA Health Care System, in El Paso, TX.

Where you will perform duties that involve operating telephone switchboard equipment to connect incoming and outgoing telephone calls.

GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one (1) year of general experience, that equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position.

General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.

OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of two (2) years of education above the high school level in any field.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Integrity/Honesty Physical Security Self-Management Stress Tolerance Veteran and Customer Focus IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work.

However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items such as papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile, etc.

No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Operates communication systems and telephone switchboard to receive and connect incoming and outgoing calls.

Routes calls to the proper destination and provides telephone and organizational information to callers. Retrieves and/or updates relevant information in computerized databases.

Handles a variety of difficult calls (i.e., threatening, abusive, suicidal or distraught callers). Initiates a trace with local telephone and police authorities for certain calls.

Contacts the appropriate personnel to respond to emergent situations. Issues appropriate overhead announcements when situations require such. Notifies pertinent staff when equipment malfunctions.

Works closely with all services of the hospital. Perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:45 pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized.