The latest recruitment effort will increase the satellite TV company's work force in Tulsa to 650.

Dish Network's customer service center announced Thursday that it plans to hire 200 people by June 1.

The facility, located at 71st Street and Lewis Avenue, wants to fill positions in its Technical Support division.

Dish Network is the third-largest provider of paid television service in the United States.

"To accommodate customer growth we need to have additional customer service representatives who can provide technical support," said Kevin Dieterle, a human resources representative at the Tulsa center.

Englewood Colo.-based Dish Network opened the Tulsa center in 2004, and today the 78,500-square-foot facility is one of 10 across the nation.

The new hires would bring the Tulsa work force to 650. The satellite TV company employs more than 20,000 people systemwide.

When EchoStar Communications Corp. opened the Dish Network facility in Tulsa, it said it eventually would employ about 1,000 people.

Earlier this year, EchoStar officially changed its name to Dish Network Corp. and split into two companies that trade under separate symbols on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Dieterle said Dish Network has improved its compensation package to attract and keep quality agents.

For instance, at the end of November the Tulsa center increased its starting pay by 35 percent to $12.50 per hour

The competitive nature of Tulsa's job market prompted Dish Network to upgrade the package, Dieterle said, adding that the company wants to hire the most qualified people.

"We're feeling the same challenges that everyone is feeling. . . . Competing for talent is challenging," he said.

The company provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care coverage and tuition reimbursement, along with free Dish programming installation and equipment.

Newly hired people are offered an eight-week paid training course that includes both classroom learning and on-the-phone development.

Dish Network serves about $13.7 million customers who have access to digital video recorders, hundreds of video and audio channels, international channels in the United States, interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and sports and movies in HD.

A variety of packages and price options are offered.

Career fair

Dish Network will hold a career fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 11 at its customer service center, 1950 E. 71st St.

Potential employees also may apply online at www.tulsaworld.com/dishcareers.

Job requirements include a high school diploma, two years of customer care experience, ability to type a minimum of 20 words per minute and basic knowledge of the Windows operating system.

Laurie Winslow 581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com