Telephone Operator

Indian Health Service • Belcourt, ND

12d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility. The purpose of this position is to operate the telephone switchboard for the hospital and perform clerical/greeter duties for the facility. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Requirements

• 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.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.
• Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.
• Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.
• Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.
• Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
• Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.
• 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.
• Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled
• At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
• GS-3 6 months general experience or High school graduation or equivalent or 1 year above high school
• GS-4 1 year general experience or 2 years above high school
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Operates a Switchboard and other standard office equipment and personal computer for the hospital.
• Answers all incoming calls for the hospital.
• Operates the public address system using prescribed hospital emergency and special codes to page and alert staff members.
• Receives and relays incoming, outgoing and interoffice massages for all staff members and visitors to the facility.
• Provides routine, authorized information (i.e., telephone and extension numbers, names locations and functions of staff members, clinic schedule, etc.) in response to callers.
• Provides orientation to all new employees on telephone policy regarding messages and responding to pages.
• Receives all visitors to the hospital, ascertains nature of visit and directs them to the proper office or takes message if staff not available.
• Greets patients and visitors as they enter the hospital, ensuring a customer friendly environment and in a professional manner.
• Maintains and assigns conference rooms for scheduled meetings from various committees and other agencies.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED