Telephone Operators provide information by accessing alphabetical, geographical, or other directories. They assist customers with special billing requests, such as charges to a third party and credits or refunds for incorrectly dialed numbers or bad connections. They may handle emergency calls and assist children or people with physical disabilities to make telephone calls.
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- Telephone Operators
Business, Management and Administration
What do they typically do
- Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information
- Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations
- Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections
- Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests
- Calculate and quote charges for services such as long-distance connections
- Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance
- Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail
- Consult charts to determine charges for pay-telephone calls, requesting coin deposits for calls as necessary
- Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants
- Provide relay service for hearing-impaired users
- Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate
- Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls
Number of Jobs
Average Annual
Job Growth -1.8%
Job Openings 2
Education & Training
- Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma.Associated Programs or MajorsLicense
Private Training Programs
20
17
Change -3