(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was changed from its original form to accurately state the amount of pay team managers and team leaders would make.)
It was almost like a party.
Advanced Services Inc. brought out its managers and employees Tuesday night to introduce a variety of career opportunities to the community as part of its new business model. This new model officials say will open almost 200 jobs in Rapid City.
Carol Bancroft, senior vice president and ASI Center manager, gave a 35-minute presentation about the company, a General Electric subsidiary in Rushmore Business Park, to an audience of about 70 people. She said Rapid City was one of the top five locations scouted 11 years ago -- during the Sturgis motorcycle rally.
The GE executives were charmed by the community and the caliber of its work force.
“Rapid City hands down was the winner,” she said.
It’s the reason why ASI will expand its company here.
She described the center as being an advocate for customers. Six customer advocates will make up a team that will oversee one customer’s problem or issue with an appliance or item. Each advocate on the team will be familiar with the case. They will use all of the tools at their disposal to make sure any problems are resolved. An advocate will follow up with a call to be sure the issue is resolved.
Overseeing two teams or 12 advocates will be a team leader, who will ensure that the customers’ issues are being handled in a timely way and help the advocates resolve the problems. Four team leaders will meet and report to a team manager, who will oversee 48 people. They will all work to make sure customers have a good experience and will feel they are personally accountable for each service call, Bancroft said.
“We’re going to have a relationship,” she said.
ASI will be looking for career advocates, team leaders, team managers and operations directors. They also will need a number of support people in human resources, recruitment and technical systems support staff.
ASI will offer career advocates a minimum of $10 an hour, with team leaders earning $40,000 to $45,000 annual salary and managers offered $50,000 to $55,000 annual salary, depending on experience. Directors’ salaries will be negotiated on experience and qualifications. They offer four to six weeks of training, all of it paid. They also offer medical, vision and dental plans, paid vacations, insurance, retirement and tuition reimbursement.
“This business opportunity is very exciting,” Bancroft said.
At the meeting, a flurry of beach balls bounced out onto the crowd as rock music amplified, signaling the chance to talk to the employees, managers and leaders at the meeting.
Some people had brought their resumes, but Mary Drumm, human resources director, directed people to go to a Web site to fill out the company’s application online.
Theresa White Lightning of Rapid City has a housekeeping job, but she liked the presentation.
“I like the idea that they mix their fun with their work. I’m impressed about the training and also about the benefits,” she said.
She does well at her current job, but this might be a good time to change careers, she said.
“I like the idea of a higher pay scale, and I’m always up for something new,” she said.
Trisha Red Fox, also of Rapid City, said she thought ASI would be a great place to work. Currently working in child care, she struggles to stay ahead of her expenses.
“I want to change my career,” she said.
Patsy Lisko of Piedmont understands what Red Fox is going through. Working 15 years as a day care provider, she started at ASI seven years ago and never looked back.
“I was ready for a change,” she said.
Lisko started in the service department, then went into home delivery. She feels a lot of pride and satisfaction in her work. She works with a variety of men and women of all ages and coming from different backgrounds, too.
Lisko also received a lot of help as she developed her new career path.
“You learn something every day and it’s very rewarding work,” she said.
Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.
