Telephone Operator

Up to $60/hrHandshake AIRemoteOpen to US residents

At a glance

You'll use your telephone operator background to write prompts and evaluate AI model responses, giving structured feedback. You need at least 4 years of professional experience in telephone operator work.

Summary written by AI from the original listing.

  • Posted Jan 24, 2026

About the role

Overview

Handshake is recruiting Telephone Operator Professionals to contribute to an hourly, temporary AI research project—but there’s no AI experience needed. In this program, you’ll leverage your professional experience to evaluate what AI models produce in your field, assess content related to your field of work, and deliver clear, structured feedback that strengthens the model’s understanding of your workplace tasks and language. The Handshake AI opportunity runs year-round, with project opportunities opening periodically across different areas of expertise.

This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity that can be done alongside your primary employment.

Details

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The position is remote and asynchronous; work independently from wherever you are.

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The hours are flexible, with no minimum commitment, but most average 5-20 hrs

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The work includes developing prompts for AI models that reflect your field, and then evaluating responses.

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You’ll learn new skills and contribute to how AI is used in your field

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Your placement into a project will be dependent on project availability—if you apply now and can’t work on this project, more will be available soon.

Qualifications

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You have at least 4 years of professional experience in one or more of the following types of work.

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The examples below reflect the types of real-world responsibilities that you might have had in your role that will give you the context needed to evaluate and train high-quality AI models

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Observe signal lights on switchboards, and dial or press buttons to make connections.

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Operate telephone switchboards and systems to advance and complete connections, including those for local, long distance, pay telephone, mobile, person-to-person, and emergency calls.

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Listen to customer requests, referring to alphabetical or geographical directories to answer questions and provide telephone information.

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Update directory information.

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Suggest and check alternate spellings, locations, or listing formats to customers lacking details or complete information.

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Perform clerical duties such as typing, proofreading, and sorting mail.

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Offer special assistance to persons such as those who are unable to dial or who are in emergency situations.

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Operate paging systems or other systems of bells or buzzers to notify recipients of incoming calls.

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Monitor automated systems for placing collect calls and intervene for a callers needing assistance.

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Interrupt busy lines if an emergency warrants.

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Provide assistance for customers with special billing requests.

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Provide relay service for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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Keep records of calls placed and received, and of related toll charges.

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Promote company products, services, and savings plans when appropriate.

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You’re able to participate in asynchronous work in partnership with leading AI labs.

Application Process

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Create a Handshake account

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Upload your resume and verify your identity

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Get matched and onboarded into relevant projects

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Start working and earning

Work authorization information

F-1 students who are eligible for CPT or OPT may be eligible for projects on Handshake AI. Work with your Designated School Official to determine your eligibility. If your school requires a CPT course, Handshake AI may not meet your school’s requirements. STEM OPT is not supported. See our Help Center article for more information on what types of work authorizations are supported on Handshake AI.

Applicant countries
Open to US residents

This remote listing states no location restriction, so US residents can apply. Check the original listing for other requirements.

Work arrangement
Remote
Advertised job location
Not specified
Originally posted
2026-01-24
Last checked

How this pay compares

Other specialties: typical hourly pay on each platform, November 2026.

This role Up to $60/hrTypical across platforms $55/hr

  • micro1$55/hr112 rolesMiddle half of roles: $40–$73/hr
  • Mercor$51/hr80 rolesMiddle half of roles: $44–$95/hr
  • Turing$15/hr18 rolesMiddle half of roles: $15–$15/hr
  • Alignerr$80/hr81 rolesMiddle half of roles: $38–$80/hr

Based on 291 hourly-paid roles listed in November 2026. Per-task and project rates are not included. Each platform sets its own pay.

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