Applications available for TeleTech call center jobs in Kalispell

The Flathead Job Service is now accepting resumes from people interested in working for TeleTech Inc., a Colorado-based firm that recently agreed to open a call center in Gateway West Mall.

Applications are available to fill out and some preliminary testing is also being done, according to Business Advocate Virginia Sloan.

By William L. Spence
The Daily Inter Lake

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"There’s a customer service listening test and a basic computer knowledge test," Sloan said. "There will be some additional testing once TeleTech determines who their client will be."

Garth Howard, president of North American operations for TeleTech, said he’s currently working with four or five potential clients.

"I hope to have that tied down over the next month," Howard said.

Until that happens, he said, it’s unclear how many jobs will be available or when the call center will start operations. The client even drives the kind of upgrades or modifications needed for the building’s technological infrastructure.

However, "I think you’ll start seeing a lot of activity there over the next two months," Howard said.

Once TeleTech begins hiring, he said, people can expect to spend most of their first day at a company orientation.

"Then we’ll begin the skills-based training that’s specific for each client," Howard said. "Typically, that averages three to five weeks. There will be an in-class period, followed by what we call a ‘nesting’ period, where they gradually start taking calls, with a lot of coaching and feedback."

TeleTech offers the same kind of customer support and technical services that were provided by Stream International, the former mall tenant.

For example, TeleTech signed agreements last year with electronics retailers Best Buy and Circuit City to provide product inquiry, availability, order tracking, warranty and delivery information to customers via Internet and telephone.

TeleTech agreed to occupy the city-owned space in Gateway West Mall after several months of negotiations.

"We had an individual on our sales team who previously worked for Stream," Howard said. "He had a lot of positive things to say about the Kalispell facility, about the people and the work that had been done there. And I’ve been pushing for us to look at more rural areas. What we saw of Kalispell, we liked."

Local officials also did a good job of listening to TeleTech’s needs, he said, as well as explaining their own concerns.

In exchange for a 100 percent rent abatement, TeleTech is required employ at least 125 people during the first year of operation, 250 the second year and 425 every year thereafter. At least 80 percent of the jobs will be full time, with a minimum wage rate of $8 per hour, plus benefits.

TeleTech signed a 10-year lease agreement, although an escape clause would allow it to leave after three years if it can’t find enough qualified employees.

Even if that happens, though, Kalispell officials note that the space will be paid for in full. The facility has been empty since Stream closed last August.

Sloan said about 75 people have already applied for the TeleTech positions.

"We’re ready," she said. "We have six computers set aside to do the testing, and they’re smoking."

Reporter Bill Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at [email protected]