Switchboard Operator Supervisor

Innovation At Work Inc; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovation At Work, Inc. seeks a Switchboard Supervisor/Telephone Operator to lead the switchboard team at the Erie VA Medical Center. This working supervisor role requires answering calls and performing operator duties when needed.

You will ensure staffing, timekeeping accuracy, and compliance with VA and contract requirements, while delivering professional service to Veterans and VA staff. On-site position with emergency response responsibilities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2-4 years of call center experience.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or management experience preferred.
• Knowledge of medical terminology helpful.
• Strong leadership, communication, scheduling, and employee-management skills.
• Strong customer-service skills.
• Ability to supervise while actively performing telephone operator duties.
• Ability to remain calm during emergencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Must meet VA security, training, health, privacy, and credentialing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily switchboard operations per IAW and VA requirements.
• Answer and process incoming/outgoing calls as part of duties.
• Coordinate with operators to handle call volume and staffing needs.
• Route calls to VA departments and locations accurately.
• Provide professional customer service to Veterans, patients, VA staff, and the public.
• Operate VA telecoms, paging, alarm systems, and emergency comms equipment.
• Respond to emergencies, alarms, and urgent communications.
• Monitor timekeeping, attendance, and performance; ensure contractual goals are met.
• Prepare schedules and arrange coverage for tours and absences.
• Train and guide subordinate employees; identify deficiencies and corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Call center experience

Customer service

Emergency response

Team supervision

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Word

Teams

Job description

Description

Innovation At Work, Inc. is seeking an experienced Switchboard Supervisor/Telephone Operator to support the Erie VA Medical Center. This is a working supervisor position. The Supervisor will oversee the daily operations and performance of the IAW switchboard team while also performing the duties of a Telephone Operator, including answering and processing calls as operational needs require.

The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with IAW policies, VA procedures and government protocols, maintaining adequate staffing, managing employee performance, monitoring timekeeping, and ensuring contractual performance requirements are consistently met.

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee daily switchboard operations in accordance with IAW company policies, VA requirements, government protocols, and contract requirements.
• Answer and process incoming and outgoing telephone calls as part of the regular duties of the position.
• Work alongside Telephone Operators and assist with call volume, staffing shortages, call-outs, breaks, emergencies, and other operational needs.
• Route calls accurately to the appropriate VA departments, programs, personnel, and locations.
• Provide professional customer service to Veterans, patients, VA employees, and the public, including handling difficult, abusive, threatening, or distraught callers.
• Operate the VA telephone system, paging system, alarm systems, and emergency communications equipment as required.
• Respond appropriately to emergency calls, alarms, emergency codes, fires, disasters, and other urgent communications.

The PWS specifically requires operators to answer and process all incoming internal and external calls, route calls appropriately, respond to emergency situations, operate the paging system, and use the VA's telecommunications equipment.

• Manage Team Performance: Monitor employee performance, attendance, professionalism, productivity, and compliance with established procedures.
• Ensure Contractual Goals Are Met: Monitor service quality, call handling, staffing, response requirements, and other contractual performance standards.
• Timekeeping Management/Audits: Review and audit employee timecards and monitor hours worked, call-outs, lateness, leave, overtime, and schedule compliance.
• Prepare and maintain employee work and vacation schedules.
• Ensure adequate coverage for all required tours and coordinate coverage when employees are absent.
• Train and provide guidance to subordinate employees.
• Identify and correct performance or operational deficiencies.
• Maintain appropriate workplace discipline.
• Communicate staffing, performance, timekeeping, and operational issues to IAW corporate management.
• Assist with quality-control activities and ensure the team is prepared for VA performance reviews.

These supervisory responsibilities align directly with the contract, which requires training subordinate employees, preparing vacation schedules, monitoring time and leave—including call-outs and lateness—correcting deficiencies, and maintaining discipline.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2-4 years of call center experience.
• Previous supervisory, team lead, or management experience preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of medical terminology.
• Strong leadership, communication, scheduling, and employee-management skills.
• Strong customer-service skills.
• Ability to supervise employees while actively performing telephone operator duties.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during emergencies.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Ability to meet all VA security, training, health, privacy, and credentialing requirements.

The contract requires all contract personnel to have at least a high school diploma, 1–2 years of call-center experience, and knowledge and understanding of medical terminology.

Innovation At Work, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.