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%
$38,619
TOTAL 50%
$38,732
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)
Describes the processes involved in caller identification, call routing, remote call forwarding, and call blocking.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Listens to the messages being recorded or voice mail and responds accordingly via phone call.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Maintains the log of all call information in your organization's database.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees all call logs and recordings to ensure that staff is adhering to the best practices.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes methods to screen nuisance callers, survey companies, or telemarketers.
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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)
Explains the principles and procedures of obtaining enhanced computer literacy.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Logs minor adjustments to the system to ensure optimized computer literacy.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Modifies the background and layout of presentation slides.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Facilitates computer literacy training to keep staff abreast with the latest technological tools and processes.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops new programming languages to improve the efficiency of hardware and software programs.
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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)
Explains our business's mission, vision, strategies, and goals.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Explains our organization's code of conduct and values to new staff.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Makes effective use of our organization's unofficial structure and back channels.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Emphasizes knowledge of our organization to others to improve job functions.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the evaluation and improvement of our organization's performance.
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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)
Identifies the procedures for making sure that results are mistake-free.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Processes limited amounts of detailed information with reasonable accuracy.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Reviews and analyzes the accuracy of data and details.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Designs systems to help the team organize and track details and project progress.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops best practices for identifying and correcting errors, oversights, and omissions.
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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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