Telephone Operator

**Duties**:
Acts as Telephone Operator in response to inquiries from and to all areas of the community and to and from all areas of the foreign affairs community within the Mission, to include all commercial and cultural activities. In addition, responds to a large range of inquiries from U.S. citizen tourists. Acts as interpreter when requested, especially at night or on week-ends between Embassy officers and French officials such as police, hospital staff and diplomats. Notifies the proper Embassy officials when terrorist and bomb threats are received. Performs other duties as assigned.

**Telecommunications Duties**

Incumbent is one of 9 Telephone Switchboard Operators working on a duty schedule that encompasses a 24-hour day, seven days a week.
Promptly responds to a large range of inquiries received by the Mission daily. Answers a large number of inquiries regarding changes of listing, temporary and newly assigned personnel, official visitors, staff attending conferences, private and semi-official U.S. organizations in Paris, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, American Hospital, American Cathedral, etc. Directs inquiries to proper offices according to areas concerned with caller's request, such as visa, consular, U.S. citizen services, cultural affairs, commercial affairs, etc.

Works scheduled shifts covering 24-hour operations, including week-ends and holidays. May be required to work overtime.

Translates Foreign Office notes, as needed, for duty officers during the week-ends and after hours. Often acts as interpreter for non-French speaking officers when dealing wiht French callers on week-ends and after hours.
Applies security measures notifying proper authorities regarding fire, bomb threats and mob demonstrations.

Handles calls made on behalf of official Embassy personnel and their families, from the Mission and cross-connected locally because the Embassy telephone book does not contain home phone numbers.
After office hours, screens incoming calls for the Ambassador and all other department heads and U.S. government agencies assigned
to the Mission.

After office hours, takes messages for the Ambassador and the various duty officers.

After office hours and during week-ends, calls Duty Officers in case of malfunction or breakdown of the telephone system or the switchboard equipment. Also calls Embassy Duty Officer or third party contractors for problems pertaining to office buildings or government residences.

This position description does **NOT **include all the duties and responsibilities of this position.

**Qualifications and Evaluations**:

- Requirements:
EXPERIENCE: At least six months of experience using computer or network equipment

JOB KNOWLEDGE: Good knowledge of the operation of switchboard. Good knowledge of the security, police and medical procedures of France in order to handle emergency calls.
- Education Requirements:
Mandatory: Completion of Secondary School and received high school diploma
- Evaluations:
LANGUAGE:
ENGLISH - Fluent in reading, speaking, and writing. This skill will be tested.

FRENCH - Fluent in reading, speaking, and writing. This skill will be tested.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to operate a computer-based telephone switchboard. Ability to be courteous, tactful and use discretion while offering high standards of telephone service. Must have the ability to maintain self control during crisis or when dealing with difficult callers. A Ability to comprehend all of the various instructions given. Ability to provide the best quality of service without casing repercussions or embarrassment to the U.S. government.

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO)**: The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.
- Qualifications:
All applicants under consideration will be required to pass medical and security certifications.

**Benefits and Other Info**:

- Benefits:

- Agency Benefits:
Locally Employed Staff, including Members of Household (MOHs), and Third-Country Nationals (TCNs), working at the U.S. Mission in France may receive a compensation package that may include health, separation, and other benefits.

For EFMs, benefits should be discussed with the Human Resources Office.

The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by the HR Office.
- Other Information:
HIRING PREFERENCE ORDER:
1. AEFM / USEFM who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
2. AEFM / USEFM
3. FS on LWOP and CS with reemployment rights**
- IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of their most recent DD-214 (“Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty”), Letter from Veterans’ Affairs which indicates the present existence of a service-connected disability dated within the past six months, equivalent docume