AT&T plans to open two call centers in Nevada that will bring at least 650 jobs to the state. A facility in Las Vegas already employs 80 people with plans to hire upwards of 350 by June. A call center in Reno will open in February that will ultimately employ another 350. These positions pay an average of $20 per hour with full benefits – a move that sets a new high mark for call centers.

AT&T has opened nine call centers in Nevada since 2007, with four more, including the Reno facility, are scheduled to open by the end of 2009.

David Condit, AT&T president of state and legislative affairs, said that the company is committed to bringing jobs back to the United States. The Las Vegas jobs are among 5,000 positions that had been outsourced to offshore locations. While foreign workers cost less to employ, there is often a language barrier that complicates the process and frustrates the consumer.

“Oversees call center workers encounter problems if they aren’t following a script or hear regional slang,” said Somer Hollingsworth, chief executive of the Nevada Development Authority.

Las Vegas is a prime location because of its land space (for large employee parking lots), and telecommunications infrastructure. The company is looking to train people who are interested in technology and customer service.

Though AT&T doesn’t offer its Internet service to consumers in Southern Nevada, it does provide an array of services in the northern part of the state.

Labels: Las Vegas Jobs, Nevada Jobs