Computer User Support Specialists

What the job really is

Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

At a glance

• Sector: Computer & Mathematical
• O*NET-SOC code: 15-1232
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Oversee the daily performance of computer systems.
• Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software.
• Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
• Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
• Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
• Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
• Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
• Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
• Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
• Prepare evaluations of software or hardware, and recommend improvements or upgrades.
• Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
• Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.

Tools and technology

AJAX, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Apache Cassandra, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Computer Network Support Specialists
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Software Developers
• Database Administrators
• Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
• Information Security Analysts

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Computer User Support Specialists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.