Telephone Operator

Summary

The incumbent services as a Telecommunications Equipment Operator performing work which encompasses a wide variety of different duties and responsibilities relating to provision of telephone and related communications services.

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 06/25/2026. Time‑In‑Grade Requirement:
Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time‑in‑grade requirements by the closing date. For a GS‑04 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS‑03. The grade may have been in any occupation, but it must have been held in the Federal service. An SF‑50 that shows your time‑in‑grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF‑50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate that you possess one‑year time‑in‑grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF‑50 that clearly demonstrates one‑year time‑in‑grade.

Note:

Time‑In‑Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• General
  
  Experience:
  
  You must have one year of general experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS‑03 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include – but are not limited to: 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.
• Education:
  
  Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two full years above high school.
• Combination:
  Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

• Refers calls to the appropriate facility or program areas based on a specific request or by ascertaining the nature of the call.
• Initiates a trace with local telephone and police authorities on threat or emergency related calls.
• Activates and controls standardize computer system and peripheral equipment specifically related to telephonic operations.
• Operates telephone system to receive and connect incoming and outgoing calls utilizing complex computerized equipment and telecommunication software.
• Modifies and maintains operations manuals, reference books, instructions associated with programs and systems used in the Telecommunication Unit.
• Furnishes information to customers concerning telephone extension, organizational functions and staff information; receives and transfers calls to clinical services and hospital personnel; information reception – operating facility automatic call distribution telephone system – maintenance of computer documentation – and telecommunication equipment operator. The unit is staffed 24 hours a day, requiring the incumbent to work various shifts as required by emergencies and work alone and/or irregular tours at times.
• Promotion Potential:
  The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.
• Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
• Work Schedule:
  
  Rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.
• Position Description/PD#:
  Telephone Operator/PDA.
• Relocation/Recruitment
  
  Incentives:
  
  Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS):
  Not Authorized.
• Working Environment:
  The work environment involves everyday disks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices – meetings and training rooms – or libraries.
• The work area is adequately lit, heated, and ventilated.
• Physical Demands:
  The work is sedentary. The employee sits comfortably to do the work but may involve some standing and walking around adjusting equipment or consulting directories and manuals. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.