Switchboard Specialist

ABOUT BENNETT COLLEGE:

Bennett College is a private, historically Black college for women located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1873, Bennett College is committed to educating women who are prepared to lead, serve, and make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond.

Bennett College is a private, historically Black college for women located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1873, Bennett College is committed to educating women who are prepared to lead, serve, and make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond.

Through a strong liberal arts education and a commitment to leadership, service, and academic excellence, Bennett College provides an environment where students are empowered to develop intellectually, professionally, and personally.

The Switchboard Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for Bennett College by professionally managing the College's main telephone switchboard and front-desk operations. This position is responsible for answering, screening, and accurately directing inbound telephone calls to the appropriate department, office, or individual based on the nature of the caller's inquiry.

The Switchboard Specialist / Receptionist plays an important role in creating a welcoming and professional experience for students, families, alumni, prospective students, vendors, community members, and other members of the College community. The successful candidate must possess excellent customer service skills, strong communication abilities, sound judgment, and sufficient knowledge of the College's departments, services, and operations to appropriately assist or route callers.

This position requires a highly professional, courteous, patient, and service-oriented individual who understands that every interaction may represent a caller's first experience with Bennett College.

This is an on-site, campus-facing position. The employee works primarily in a front-desk/reception environment and may be required to remain at the designated workstation for extended periods to ensure continuous coverage of the College's main telephone line and reception area.

The position requires regular interaction with students, faculty, staff, visitors, families, vendors, and members of the public.

• Answer and manage the College's main incoming telephone line in a professional, courteous, and timely manner.
• Determine the nature and purpose of each caller's inquiry and accurately direct calls to the appropriate department, office, or employee.
• Provide general information regarding College departments, offices, services, hours of operation, and points of contact when appropriate.
• Screen and route calls using established College procedures and telephone system functionality.
• Transfer calls to the appropriate extension and assist callers when they are uncertain about which department or office can address their needs.
• Take and accurately relay messages when the appropriate individual or department is unavailable.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to calls requiring additional assistance or escalation.
• Maintain familiarity with College departments, organizational structure, frequently requested services, and common points of contact to facilitate accurate call routing.
• Exercise discretion when determining where sensitive, confidential, or complex inquiries should be directed.

• Serve as a welcoming and professional presence for individuals contacting or visiting the College.
• Greet and assist visitors, students, employees, prospective students, families, vendors, and other guests as appropriate.
• Provide general information and direct visitors to the appropriate office, department, or campus location.
• Maintain a professional, organized, and welcoming reception area.
• Assist with basic administrative and clerical tasks supporting front-desk operations.

• Provide exceptional customer service to all callers and visitors regardless of the nature of their inquiry.
• Demonstrate patience, professionalism, courtesy, and active listening during all interactions.
• Handle difficult, frustrated, or confused callers with tact and professionalism.
• Identify when a caller's concern requires escalation and appropriately connect the caller with the responsible department or supervisor.
• Protect the College's reputation by ensuring that all telephone and in-person interactions reflect Bennett College's standards…