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COMPUTER SUPPORT TECHNICIAN
- Evolving Occupation
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Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Computer Support Specialist 15-1041 |
| OES Computer Support Technician 25104 |
| Computer support technicians respond to computer users' inquiries, complaints, and requests for technical assistance. Some technicians respond via the telephone or electronic mail while others go to the user's location to assist in person. They may work for a particular vendor, assisting only customers that have purchased that vendor's products, or they may work for a company in which they provide on-site support to other employees. They maintain records of repairs and technical assistance rendered and conduct follow-up to ensure satisfaction with service. |
| TASKS - 1) Installs and performs minor repairs to hardware, software, and peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications. 2) Confers with staff, users, and management to determine requirements for new systems or modifications. 3) Reads technical manuals, confers with users, and conducts computer diagnostics to determine nature of problems and provide technical assistance. 4) Develops training materials and procedures, and conducts training programs. 5) Enters commands and observes system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors. 6) Tests and monitors software, hardware, and peripheral equipment to evaluate use, effectiveness, and adequacy of product for user. 7) Prepares evaluations of software and hardware, and submits recommendations to management for review. |
| WORKPLACE COMPETENCIES - Computer Support Technicians have to be able to work well under pressure and as part of a team. They should also be logical, practical and accurate, and prepared to continue learning new computer skills. |
| The following lists the KSA's for Computer Support Specialists (O*NET) 15-1041.00 |
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KNOWLEDGE
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| Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of electric circuit boards, processors, chips, network systems and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. It is common that support techs work solely on network systems |
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SKILLS
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| Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design Testing - Conducting tests to determine whether equipment, software, or procedures are operating as expected Troubleshooting - Determining what is causing an operating error and deciding what to do about it Problem Identification - Identifying the nature of problems |
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ABILITIES
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| Oral
Comprehension - The ability to understand information and ideas presented
through spoken words and sentences Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Near Vision - The ability to see details of objects at a close range (within a few feet of the observer) |
| EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS - These occupations often require a Bachelor's degree. However, an Associate degree in computer science or electronics with on-the-job training or specific work experience in computer repair will often suffice. CIP - 15.0402, 47.0104 |
| WAGE ESTIMATES - Based on the Texas 2000 Occupational Employment Statistics for a Computer Support Specialist, the Annual Wage was $41,230 and the Median Wage was $17.49 per hour. (Source: Texas Workforce Commission/Labor Market Information Department) |
| OUTLOOK - In 1998 there were 34,250 Computer Support Technicians employed in Texas. The projected growth rate is 67.9%. The number of openings through 2008 is projected to be 2,540 (growth - 2,325, replacement - 215) per year. (Source: TWC/LMI) |
| INDUSTRY - Information Technology |