Computer Support Specialists

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

Industry: Computer and Mathematical

Other Job Titles for Computer Support Specialists:

• 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.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• 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.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Answer user inquiries regarding computer software or hardware operation to resolve problems.
• Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors.
• Install and perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment, following design or installation specifications.
• 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.
• Maintain records of daily data communication transactions, problems and remedial actions taken, or installation activities.
• Read technical manuals, confer with users, or conduct computer diagnostics to investigate and resolve problems or to provide technical assistance and support.
• Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
• Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware or software.
• 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.
• Read trade magazines and technical manuals, or attend conferences and seminars to maintain knowledge of hardware and software.
• Inspect equipment and read order sheets to prepare for delivery to users.
• Modify and customize commercial programs for internal needs.
• Conduct office automation feasibility studies, including workflow analysis, space design, or cost comparison analysis.
• Hire, supervise, and direct workers engaged in special project work, problem solving, monitoring, and installing data communication equipment and software.
• Utilize microcontrollers to develop control signals, implement control algorithms and measure process variables such as temperatures, pressures and positions.
• Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.
• Specify power supply requirements and configuration.

Emerging Tasks

• n/a

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• 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.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust computer operation system
• assist co-workers with software problems
• communicate technical information
• conduct computer diagnostics to determine nature of problems
• conduct training for personnel
• configure computers in industrial or manufacturing setting
• consult with staff or users to identify operating procedure problems
• evaluate computer system user requests or requirements
• evaluate prototype computer software systems
• follow data security procedures
• follow data storage procedures
• identify appropriate software for project
• install computer programs
• install hardware, software, or peripheral equipment
• maintain or repair computers or related equipment
• monitor computer operation
• monitor operating conditions
• perform minor repairs to hardware, software, or peripheral equipment
• program computers using existing software
• provide technical computer training
• provide technical support to computer users
• recommend purchase or repair of furnishings or equipment
• recommend software or hardware purchases
• select business applications for computers
• select software for clerical activities
• test computer programs or systems
• train workers in use of computer and related equipment
• train workers in use of equipment
• understand computer equipment operating manuals
• use computer networking technology
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use desktop publishing software
• use geographical information system (GIS) software
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write computer software, programs, or code
• understand detailed electronic design specifications
• understand engineering data or reports
• use computer networking technology
• use computer programming language
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use knowledge of mainframe computers
• use project management techniques
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• write business correspondence
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write technical specifications for computer systems, software or applications
• use object-oriented computer programming techniques
• use project management techniques
• use relational database software
• use spreadsheet software
• use structural analysis techniques to analyze computer systems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use structural analysis techniques to analyze computer systems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write computer software, programs, or code
• write documentation for computer programming
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$20.39
• Average annual wage (2007) - $42,400.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 12.88%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 71,176
• Employment (2006): 552,458

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