A head teller supervises all the tellers, or clerks, in a bank who handle cash deposits, withdrawals, and check-cashing duties. This person usually also trains new employees and may even make written reports of their progress. She might also access the bank's vault to deposit or withdraw cash. She is normally someone who is available to answer questions that might arise or handle customer complaints in the event there is a problem.
Part of this person's job description might be to verify the accuracy of cash drawers at the end of a teller's shift. This can mean that the head teller is responsible for checking the transactions performed against the balance of money in the register to make sure there have not been any significant mistakes. If discrepancies are noted, she might be called on to assist with transferring funds to the proper accounts. She may also need to counsel or retrain tellers who show a pattern of errors in their work.
New employees often work under the direct supervision of a head teller. This person will train personnel to perform their duties quickly and accurately. She often keeps documented logs of the training each new hire receives, and her progress so that management can determine if a raise is in order. This teller could also make recommendations to the personnel department concerning promotions and terminations.
Often, tellers may need to work flexible hours in order to accommodate the needs of the financial institution. A head teller is usually in charge of making the schedule for the people she supervises. If business is unusually slow on a particular day, she may need to choose an employee to send home early. In the event a worker calls in sick, she may have to call in a replacement to fill the position.
People who are designated to fill head teller jobs normally have a great deal of experience at the bank they are working in. This often means they can act as a go-to person whenever a teller has a questions. They can also usually resolve unusual issues that could arise during the business day, or handle customers' complaints.
This type of banking supervisor should enjoy working with the public in a fast-paced setting. She should also have good basic math skills. A college degree is not usually needed, but could be helpful to a candidate applying for this type of work.