Two dozen Qwest jobs in North Dakota are moving out of the state.

Workers in Qwest's operator and information services center in Fargo have the option to move to other operator and information services centers in Pueblo, Colo., Duluth, Minn., Waterloo, Iowa, or Midvale, Utah.

"Rather than having more of the smaller centers, we're consolidating to fewer larger groups,"said Johna Hoff, Qwest spokesperson.

Employees also have the option to either take a compensation package or apply for a position in other centers in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The move, which will go into effect April 11, will not affect Qwest's operations center in Fargo, or any positions in Bismarck.

About 200 jobs in four different centers will be affected, total, Hoff said. Jobs in Colorado Springs, Colo., as well as Albuquerque, N.M., and Sioux Falls will be moved.

Qwest employs about 225 people in North Dakota.

- Crystal R. Reid