Switchboard employee (8)
I believe the answer is:
operator
'switchboard employee' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for operator that I've seen before include "Controller, of telephone say" , "Poor rate (anag.)" , "Person who runs a machine or a business" , "Manipulator" , "Director or controlller of machinery" .)