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)
Identifies basic phone call spiels in screening and routing calls.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Performs priority client calls and filters out spam calls.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Supervises staff in answering and screening all incoming calls to ensure professionalism is being observed.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Recommends business phone systems that best address your organization's needs.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the integration of VoIP phones and other call screening tools.
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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)
Names the different reports using presentation software, such as PowerPoint.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Recognizes and saves files in various file formats as needed.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Updates important data in existing database records.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages the upgrading of firmware, software, and outdated hardware systems.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes digital protective measures on intellectual property and data that belong to an organization.
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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)
Lists our organization's critical functions and lines of business.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies organization's structures, rules, and networks.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Participates in developing and updating organizational structures and procedures.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Monitors our business's key metrics to make sure things are on track.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Promotes our business's branding internally and externally.
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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)
Lists best practices and tools to maintain high accuracy and thoroughness in the workplace.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Records all appointments on the calendar to easily track daily activities.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Sets up processes to ensure delivery of high-quality work.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Employs techniques for motivating personnel to meet or exceed accuracy goals.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the creation of tools for enhancing and assuring accuracy.
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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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