Skills & Competencies for Switchboard Operator

Switchboard Operator job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Switchboard Operator

Operates a switchboard or telephone console to route incoming calls and place outgoing calls.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Switchboard Operator

Answers incoming calls and basic questions, transfers calls to extensions, and responds to emergency situations as necessary. Monitors the phone system's efficiency and performs routine troubleshooting.

Switchboard Operator SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$38,718
TOTAL 50%
$38,832
Job Level
A01
Job Code
OF13000018
Education/Degree
High School Diploma or Technical Certificate
Reports To
Supervisor or Manager

Switchboard Operator Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Switchboard Operator skill and competencie below to view definitions.

5 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Switchboard Operator

1 Job Family Competencies – Call Screening
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Evaluating and identifying a telephone call and deciding how or whether to answer it.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites fundamental phone etiquette and the process of transferring calls.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Clarifies the needs of the caller to efficiently route them to the appropriate team.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Communicates each department's scope of tasks and responsibilities, helping staff to efficiently redirect calls.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates the existing call screening processes to implement changes as needed.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs a virtual office multi-line telephone system to provide advanced call forwarding, routing, and answering rules.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Computer Literacy
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Ability to use computers and related technology efficiently.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes how to navigate basic computer tools and software programs.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Conducts operating system or software installation and uninstallation.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Handles the basic troubleshooting of moderately complex software issues.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops the layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, and corporate reports using various software.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Creates new computer software using coding languages like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
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3 Switchboard Operator - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Switchboard Operator
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Switchboard Operator
Proficiency Level - 5

9 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Switchboard Operator

1 Core Competencies – Knowledge of Organization
Proficiency Level -2
Skill definition-Displaying in-depth understanding of our business vision, strategy, structure, operations, etc., and the ability to apply them appropriately.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes how one's roles and responsibilities contribute to organizational success.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Discusses the roles and responsibilities of own business unit.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Aligns own department's plans with the enterprise mission and vision.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Advises on how to solve problems using proper organizational channels.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Drives the adoption of the latest technologies and tools to transform our business.
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2 Core Competencies – Attention to Detail
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Cites steps and tips to improve attention to detail in the workplace.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Keeps full attention when listening to understand the message.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Balances between accuracy and efficiency for different tasks or programs.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Creates and implements quality management processes for our business.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Defines possible hurdles to projects and creates strategies to deal with them.
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3 Switchboard Operator - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Switchboard Operator
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Switchboard Operator
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Switchboard Operator skills and competencies

There are 0 hard skills for Switchboard Operator.
5 general skills for Switchboard Operator, Call Screening, Computer Literacy, Data Entry, etc.
9 soft skills for Switchboard Operator, Knowledge of Organization, Attention to Detail, Confidentiality, etc.
While the list totals 14 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Switchboard Operator, he or she needs to be proficient in Knowledge of Organization, be skilled in Attention to Detail, and be proficient in Confidentiality.

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