Computer Operator
Other Titles
Computer Console Operator, Computer Operator, Computer Specialist, Computer Technician, Control Room Operator, Desktop Engineer, Information Technology Associate, Operations and Maintenance Technician, Software Technician, Systems Operator
Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. Monitor and respond to operating and error messages. May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices.
Enter commands, using computer terminal, and activate controls on computer and peripheral equipment to integrate and operate equipment.
Oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, including coordinating and scheduling the use of computer terminals and networks to ensure efficient use.
Monitor the system for equipment failure or errors in performance.
Answer telephone calls to assist computer users encountering problems.
Respond to program error messages by finding and correcting problems or terminating the program.
Retrieve, separate, and sort program output as needed, and send data to specified users.
Record information such as computer operating time, problems that occurred, and actions taken.
Notify supervisor or computer maintenance technicians of equipment malfunctions.
Operate spreadsheet programs and other types of software to load and manipulate data and to produce reports.
Supervise and train peripheral equipment operators and computer operator trainees.
Read job set-up instructions to determine equipment to be used, order of use, material such as disks and paper to be loaded, and control settings.
Help programmers and systems analysts test and debug new programs.
Load peripheral equipment with selected materials for operating runs, or oversee loading of peripheral equipment by peripheral equipment operators.
Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening→ Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Systems Analysis→ Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Quality Control Analysis→ Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Troubleshooting→ Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Scheduling Work and Activities→ Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization→ Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Thinking Creatively→ Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Operate computers or computerized equipment.
Schedule operational activities.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
Maintain office equipment in proper operating condition.
Compile data or documentation.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Maintain operational records.
Report maintenance or equipment problems to appropriate personnel.
Format digital documents, data, or images.
Read work orders to determine material or setup requirements.
Supervise clerical or administrative personnel.
Develop computer or online applications.
Load materials or equipment.
Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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.
Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Information Ordering→ The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g. , patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Perceptual Speed→ The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service→ Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Clerical→ Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Telecommunications→ Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Access software -- e.g., Citrix; Mac HelpMate
Application server software -- e.g., Microsoft Windows Server
Backup or archival software -- e.g., System and data disaster recovery software; Data ENGUARD; EMC NetWorker; Veritas NetBackup
Configuration management software -- e.g., VMWare
Database management system software -- e.g., Relational database management software; Oracle DBMS
Database reporting software -- e.g., SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
Database user interface and query software-- e.g., Data entry software; Microsoft Access; Teradata Enterprise Data Warehouse; Structured query language SQL; IBM DB; Microsoft SQL Server; MySQL; Amazon Redshift; Microsoft Access; Oracle JDBC
Development environment software -- e.g., Common business oriented language COBOL
Electronic mail software -- Email software; IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange Server; Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise application integration software -- e.g., BMC Software Control-M; IBM WebSphere
Enterprise resource planning ERP software -- e.g., Odoo; Sage; Xero; Sapama; ebizframe; Macro 2000; SYSPRO ERP; QuickEasy BOS; TrueERP; Microsoft Dynamics; NetSuite ERP; Oracle Hyperion; SAP
Enterprise system management software -- e.g., IBM Power Systems software
Filesystem software -- e.g., IBM Tivoli NetView Distribution Manager
Graphics or photo imaging software -- e.g., Adobe Systems; Adobe Flash; Microsoft Visio; SmugMug Flickr; Trimble SketchUp Pro
Helpdesk or call center software -- e.g., BMC Software Remedy IT Service Management Suite; Hewlett-Packard HP OpenView Service Center
Internet browser software -- Web browser software; Apple Safari; Google Chrome; Firefox; Windows Explorer
Internet protocol IP multimedia subsystem software -- File transfer protocol FTP software
LAN software -- Local area network LAN software
Network connectivity terminal emulation software -- e.g., Telnet programs software
Network monitoring software -- e.g., IBM Tivoli OMEGAMON XE for CICS on z/OS; Ipswitch WhatsUp Gold; Micro Focus OpenView; Novell NetWare
Object or component oriented development software -- e.g., Practical extraction and reporting language Perl; Python; Tandem advanced command language TACL
Office suite software -- Google Workspace; Microsoft Office
Operating system software -- e.g., Apple macOS; Bash; Hewlett Packard HP-UX; Job control language JCL; KornShell; Linux; Microsoft Windows; Oracle Solaris; Red Hat Enterprise Linux; Shell script; Ubuntu; UNIX
Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software -- e.g., Confluence; Sapama Projects; Sciforma PPM solution; Xero Projects; Microsoft Project; Easy Projects; Microsoft SharePoint; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Google Sheets; Microsoft Excel
Storage networking software -- e.g., EMC AlphaStor; Storage area network SAN software
Transaction server software -- Customer information control system CICS
WAN switching software and firmware -- Wide area network WAN software
Word processing software -- Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Cheque endorsing machines→ Automated cheque signers
Computer servers→ Email servers; Minicomputers
Dot matrix printers→ High speed impact printers; Impact printers
Electronic media or data duplicating equipment→ Backup drives
Hard disk drives→ Computer hard disk drives; Disk storage units
Laser printers
Magnetic stripe readers and encoders→ Magnetic card readers
Mainframe computers
Mainframe console or dumb terminals→ Computer terminals
Modems
Network routers
Paper cutting machines or accessories→ Decollating equipment; Form bursters
Personal computers
Plotter printers→ Plotters
Scanners
Special purpose telephones→ Multi-line telephone systems
Tape drive libraries→ Robotic tape libraries
Tape drives→ Computer tape drives; Magnetic tape units MTU
Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.