Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

Obtain customers' names, addresses, and billing information, product numbers, and specifications of items to be purchased, and enter this information on order forms. Prepare invoices, shipping documents, and contracts. Inform customers by mail or telephone of order information, such as unit prices, shipping dates, and any anticipated delays. Receive and respond to customer complaints. Verify customer and order information for correctness, checking it against previously obtained information as necessary. Direct specified departments or units to prepare and ship orders to designated locations. Check inventory records to determine availability of requested merchandise. Review orders for completeness according to reporting procedures and forward incomplete orders for further processing. Attempt to sell additional merchandise or services to prospective or current customers by telephone or through visits. File copies of orders received, or post orders on records. Compute total charges for merchandise or services and shipping charges. Confer with production, sales, shipping, warehouse, or common carrier personnel in order to expedite or trace shipments. Recommend merchandise or services that will meet customers' needs. Adjust inventory records to reflect product movement. Collect payment for merchandise, record transactions, and send items such as checks or money orders for further processing. Inspect outgoing work for compliance with customers' specifications. Notify departments when supplies of specific items are low, or when orders would deplete available supplies. Recommend type of packing or labeling needed on order. Calculate and compile order-related statistics, and prepare reports for management.

Customer and Personal Service -- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Sales and Marketing -- Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. Clerical -- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Active Listening -- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively. Time Management -- Managing one's own time and the time of others. Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Service Orientation -- Actively looking for ways to help people. Mathematics -- Using mathematics to solve problems . Active Learning -- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Coordination -- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Written Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Selective Attention -- The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. Information Ordering -- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Interacting With Computers -- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events -- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. Performing Administrative Activities -- Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. Processing Information -- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge -- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. Communicating with Persons Outside Organization -- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. Documenting/Recording Information -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Making Decisions and Solving Problems -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.