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Supervisory Telephone Operator

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
John D. Dingell VA Medical Center

Summary

The position supports the mission for telephone operations which is to be the face of the medical center and responsible to provide positive experiences, excellent first impressions, promoting patient care while safeguarding the image of the Detroit VA Medical Center.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,639 - $80,128 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSR-13076303-26-MCU
Control number
887114500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration is current permanent VA employees, second area of consideration is current permanent federal employees of other agencies, and third area of consideration will be all remaining status eligible candidates.

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Duties

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Supervisory Duties

  • This position supervises all telephone operators as well as oversees all telephone operator functions.
  • The incumbent will supervise (1) Lead Telephone Operator GS-0382-05 and (9) Telephone Operator GS-0382-04.The position works directly with the telephone operators, medical staff and administrative support regarding procedures, policies, directives as well as after-hour patient care and general telephone services.
  • Manages all telephone operator administrative functions.
  • Supervise the work of office, administrative and telephone customer care employees to maintain deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems and ensure adherence to quality standards.
  • Fully participates in management discussions, decisions, and policy making regarding telephone operations for the medical center.
Telephone and Administrative Duties
  • Functions as a telecommunication analyst developing, analyzing, reporting, evaluating, and advising on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of work methods, procedures, organization, manpower utilization, distribution of work, management controls and information/ documentation of the telephone operator systems.
  • Coordinate telecommunication activities with medical center management and other supervisory personnel as well as with other work units or departments. These activities include generating telephone operational reports, updating on-call and valid contact information, announcing real-time procedure changes, coordinating communication bulletins and updates as well as emergency communications, drills, and exercises.
  • Receive directory service updates along with on-call input from administrative, clinical staffs, Office of Information Technology (OIT) and emergency personnel to prepare recommendations and communication proposals to the Assistant Director, clinic staff and senior management.
  • Participate in recruitment, interviews, and selection of telephone operation employees for Telephone Switchboard Service.
  • Implement medical center or departmental policies, procedures, and service standards in conjunction with OIT and Medical Center management.
  • Participate in hospital campaigns, managerial- based studies, and pertinent telecommunication project management.
  • Train or instruct employees in job duties, departmental and medical center policies or arrange for training to be provided.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8am-4:30pm. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Telephone Operator/PD915650
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/09/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-08 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Telecommunication analyst developing, analyzing, reporting, evaluating, and advising on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of work methods, procedures, organization, manpower utilization, distribution of work, management controls and information/ documentation of the telephone operator systems.
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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Physical Requirements: Most of the work is performed in an office setting. These job functions do not required unusual physical effort but may involve some standing and walking to consult directories and manuals. The work will be performed during normal business hours as defined by the medical center and is generally sedentary.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

VA Healthcare System advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit (Detroit VAMC) is a 160-bed full-service medical center that provides primary, secondary and tertiary care to Veterans in Southeast Michigan. There are approximately 330,000 Veterans residing in the primary service area. The Detroit VAMC is classified as a Level 1B complexity by Veterans Health Administration. We are a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research.

The facility offers primary care and a full array of medical, surgical and mental health services including Cardiac Care, Cancer Care, Orthopedics, Surgical Services, Women's Health, Sleep Clinic, Audiology, Vision and Dental, PTSD, Substance Use and many others. Our acute care services cover the full spectrum severity including Emergency Care, ICU, Telemetry, Medicine/Surgery, Mental Health, Rehabilitation, Hospice and Long Term care.

Agency contact information

Mitchell Underwood
Phone
734-834-2968
Email
Mitchell.Underwood@va.gov
Address
John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
4646 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48201
US

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