From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
JOPLIN, Mo. —
Aegis Communications Group plans to hire more than 250 people over the next few months for its Joplin call center, the company said Friday.
About 100 of the jobs are permanent, the rest are seasonal, with a chance that they can be rolled into permanent jobs perhaps early next year, said Debra Zismer, human resources manager for Aegis in Joplin.
Workers at Aegis take incoming and make outgoing calls for businesses, such as insurance companies, for example, and utilities. She could not release the name of the new or any of the current clients. Some of the clients are permanent customers; others are seasonal.
“In the past we have done Western Union, American Express, those types of companies,” Zismer said.
Aegis has nine delivery centers in North America, and the Joplin operation currently employs about 250 people, she said. The company also recently announced plans to expand its call center in Killeen, Texas, by more than 700 employees over the next few months.
“We are witnessing an encouraging up-tick in business sentiment and this is reflected in our hiring plans,” Sandip Sen, chief marketing officer for Aegis, said in a statement issued Friday. “With this new wave of hiring, the local economy of Joplin will see a boost in new employment involving both temporary and permanent positions.”
Zismer said starting pay is $9 an hour with commissions available for those who make sales calls, and benefits such as health care coverage and a 401(k) available for those hired full time.
Job fair
Aegis provides free, paid training and will hold a job fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at its Joplin center, 1110 E. Seventh St. Applicants are to bring a resume and apply in person. They also can apply from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the center. Details: Aegis Communications Group, 417-659-5900.
