VIB Switchboard Operator - #BVIIS016, (Multiple vacancies)

Title: VIB Switchboard Operator - #BVIIS016 (Multiple Vacancies)

State Role Title: VIB Associate

Hiring Range: Starting at $22,152, commensurate on experience, based on 24 hours per week.

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Dept for Blind/Vision Impaired

Location: Blind & Vision Impaired

Agency Website: https://www.dbvi.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

VIB provides quality jobs for qualified Virginians, especially for those who are blind.

Grow opportunities for employment and advancement.

Job Duties:

"Previous applicants need not reapply:

Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB) is a dynamic, ever evolving $50+ million social enterprise that offers challenging careers including production, services, retail, sales, customer service, fiscal, procurement, technology, and quality control. VIB is ISO-certified and prides itself on satisfying its customers while saving them money and advancing its mission to create great jobs for Virginians who are blind (or sighted). The Virginia Industries for the Blind is an enterprise division within DBVI. VIB is an accredited affiliate of the National Industries for the Blind, and a manufacturer and distributor of products and services provided under the provisions of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act and the Ability One Program.

We are seeking to fill multiple VIB Switchboard Operators to support our Nations Veterans. These positions will be responsible for daily interactions required for continuous switchboard operations at Salem VA Medical Center.

Other duties include but are not limited to:

• Answer and transfer calls to be able to service the greatest volume of calls.
• Employe emergency procedures used to call or announce codes.
• Crossed-trained in all clerical functions.
• Quality accuracy of work performed communicating information and transfer of calls.
• Meet standard practices through thoroughness and completeness.

These are Part-time, Quasi, Full-time Non-Classified positions. The schedule will be alternating shifts with 20-40 hours. 

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Requires a high level of dependability, excellent listening skills and the ability to respond to all customer service demands.

Skills/Ability:

• Ability to clearly articulate during stressful situations. 
• Ability to clearly write all required documentation and spell phonetically. 
• Proficiency requires memory and application of producers. 
• Routinely required to talk and hear.

After completion of on-site training, must be knowledgeable of switchboard consoles, paging systems, radios, adaptive technology and the computer system.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience in customer service, receptionist, or previous switchboard operations.

Special Instructions:

Employees in non-classified positions within the Virginia Industries for the Blind are offered a competitive benefits package that includes an annuity-based retirement plan, leave, and holiday pay that is paid by VIB, as well as jointly paid benefits such as health and life insurance. Employees additionally may enroll in other employee paid supplemental plans.

This role is defined as “direct labor”. Federal law requires VIB to fill at least 75% of its direct labor roles with qualified candidates who are blind. If you are qualified and meet the definition of blindness below, please apply. Blindness is defined as “a central visual acuity that does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrective lenses or visual acuity if better than 20/200 is accompanied by a limit to the field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.” If you are qualified and meet this medical requirement, you will receive preference for this job and compete against other qualified applicants who meet this definition. If no application from a qualified person who is blind is received, this job may be filled by a qualified person who is not blind. If selected for this job based on this preference, you will receive a conditional offer of employment until medical documentation is received validating your vision impairment.


Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.