Telephone Operator (OA)

Job Title

This position provides telephone operations, communication, notary, information, clerical, and after-hours transportation support services for the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, a general medical and surgical facility and referral center for field clinics and hospitals. This position provides assistance to the Nurse Supervisor and other staff after hours and is a key figure in all emergencies.

Responsibilities:

• Greets a variety of callers, transferring callers to proper destinations; receives and relays messages; processes or routes emergency calls to a variety of people and places as the need arises.
• Activates security systems and panic alarms for various areas and monitors a variety of security systems for: Lab, Pharmacy, Clinics, and the Warehouse.
• Maintains the employee directory and the emergency call-back roster for use in the disasters and emergencies; maintains and updates the State of Arizona emergency information roster for emergency responders and maintains the emergency communication cellular radio talk groups, the cellular telephone list, the pager list and various information utilized by the medical staff, clinics, departments, and the emergency management system.
• Provides information, assistance and is responsible for directing patients to the proper clinics, destinations and other service areas.

Requirements:

• Conditions of Employment: Selectee may be subject to a probationary period. ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period. U.S. Citizenship is required. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of general experience. General experience is progressively responsible clerical, office or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of this position.
• OR Completed (2) years of education above the high school level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. (Must provide evidence with your application)
• OR Possess a combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage must equal at least 100% to qualify an applicant for the GS-04 level.

TYPING PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT:

In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants for this position must show possession of the Typing Proficiency ability/skill. Applicants may meet this requirement by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test. Must have the ability to type 40 words per minute (typing speed).

Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan ( ESEP ). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit

Additional Information Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1-year service agreement will be required. The position has no promotion potential.