Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
Operate telephone business systems equipment or switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing, and interoffice calls. May supply information to callers and record messages.
- Tasks
- 19 tasks12 core, 7 supplemental
- Family
- Office & Administrative SupportOne of its 55 occupations
- Code
- 43-2011.00SOC 2018: 43-2011
What the work is made of
12 core tasks and 7 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Operate communication systems, such as telephone, switchboard, intercom, two-way radio, or public address.Core taskTask 4630Rated by 76 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 2. Answer incoming calls, greeting callers, providing information, transferring calls or taking messages as necessary.Core taskTask 4631Rated by 76 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 3. Greet visitors, log them in and out of the facility, assign them security badges, and contact employee escorts.Core taskTask 20431Rated by 75 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 4. Monitor emergency and code alarms, make emergency announcements, or route emergency calls to the appropriate location.Core taskTask 20430Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 5. Record messages, suggesting rewording for clarity or conciseness.Core taskTask 4640Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 6. Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls, using paging or interoffice communication equipment.Core taskTask 4633Rated by 76 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 7. Relay or route written or verbal messages.Core taskTask 4634Rated by 76 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 8. Perform various cash handling tasks, such as collecting payments, making bank deposits, or managing petty cash.Core taskTask 20432Rated by 75 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 9. Place telephone calls or arrange conference calls as instructed.Core taskTask 4635Rated by 75 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 10. Process incoming or outgoing mail, packages, or deliveries.Core taskTask 20428Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 11. Perform various data entry or word processing tasks, such as updating phone directories, typing or proofreading documents, or creating schedules.Core taskTask 20427Rated by 75 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 12. Perform administrative tasks, such as accepting orders, scheduling appointments or meeting rooms, or sending and receiving faxes.Core taskTask 20429Rated by 75 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 13. Monitor alarm systems to ensure that secure conditions are maintained.Supplemental taskTask 4637Rated by 73 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 14. Contact security staff members when necessary, using radio-telephones.Supplemental taskTask 4638Rated by 72 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 15. Complete forms for sales orders.Supplemental taskTask 4643Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 16. Answer simple questions about clients' businesses, using reference files.Supplemental taskTask 4642Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 17. Stamp messages with time and date and file them appropriately.Supplemental taskTask 4641Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 18. Keep records of calls placed and charges incurred.Supplemental taskTask 4639Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2022
- Task 19. Place orders, such as for equipment, supplies, or catering for meetings.Supplemental taskTask 20433Rated by 74 people who do the job, August 2022
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 43-2011
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
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