Computer operator: description of the profession, job responsibilities and requirements

The penetration of information technologies into our life is expanding and deepening - the future belongs to them. Nowadays, the profession of a computer operator is not as rare as it was a couple of decades ago. This is exactly the specialty that makes it possible to get good earnings.

According to the tariff and qualification characteristics contained in the corresponding ETKS list, the specialty of a computer operator includes:

• information processing according to specially developed instructional documents;
• information input into computers from various carriers and transmission channels and its output;
• transmission through the channels available in the machines of various calculated data for carrying out a chain of sequential operations;
• formatting of the storage medium on the devices provided for this;
• production of recording operations, reading (decryption) and rewriting of data from some types of media to others;
• exercising control functions over the carriers;
• ensuring the correct implementation of computational operations in accordance with the developed programs;
• control over the order and quality of computer functioning;
• identifying the causes of various kinds of errors during the operation of the equipment;
• accounting and control over the process of using the time spent and identified defects in the operation of equipment, maintaining a special journal;
• accounting of the results of the work performed by the system.

The history of the development and formation of the profession indicates that its main feature, perhaps, is its versatility. Its specific functional fullness largely depends on the specifics of the organization, the direction of its activities.

Now this profession is in demand and prestigious, most enterprises have it... In addition, it can be called a starting point for acquiring such advanced specialties as an IT specialist, programmer, webmaster, and so on.

The profession also has its drawbacks. So, Long-term work behind the screen harms the entire body of the operator. The monitor negatively affects vision, and from inactivity, symptoms of cardiovascular diseases appear, painful sensations arise in the spine and pelvic bones.

A complete list of duties of a specialist operator is developed taking into account the specifics of the organization and completely depends on the wishes of the management. These requirements are prescribed in an instructive order, mandatory for execution. Here is an approximate list of what the operator does.

• Preparation of documentation for the daily, routine activities of the enterprise. For example, updating information arrays, entering various additions, giving documents a form corresponding to the regulatory framework, printing them. Copying documentation.
• Operational typing of texts on the instructions of the management... In this case, all texts should be checked by the operator himself, they should be executed in a competent language and without errors.
• Working with the database: updating old information and adding new ones. This is work with information arrays of various sizes and directions, requiring excellent knowledge and understanding of the features of the firm's activities.
• Routine parsing of email materials is to view and sort them. Formation of mailings is also possible here.
• Working with electronic documents, including sorting and organizing, and providing appropriate quick access to them.
• Control and accounting measures over consumables, to ensure a smooth working cycle.
• Control over high-quality and uninterrupted operation of equipment... In the event of malfunctions or breakdowns, the operator is obliged to immediately inform the management.

In addition to what the operator does, separate clauses may prescribe:

• fulfillment of the instructions of the management within the framework of the position;
• compliance with the deadlines for the execution of the work assigned to him;
• rendering assistance to colleagues within the framework of their competence;
• provision of information necessary for work to other structural divisions or employees;
• nondisclosure of facts and information considered a commercial or official secret of the enterprise;
• compliance with the internal regulations of the company;
• observance of fire safety regulations, safety measures and sanitary standards;
• conscientious performance of their production functions;
• preservation of the property of the enterprise.

A person who has chosen the described profession for himself must have certain qualities and skills.

In addition to the fact that an operator must know and be able to do a lot, his personal qualities largely determine the efficiency of work, and therefore, career advancement. The operator, regardless of his gender, should be characterized by:

• a sense of responsibility and diligence;
• ability to think analytically and tenacious memory;
• the ability to concentrate and scrupulousness;
• literacy and readiness for long-term routine activities;
• high level of switchability by types of operations;
• patience and perseverance;
• the ability to keep confidential information secret.

There is a certain professional standard for the practical skills of specialist operators. According to the professional standard developed for them, operators with a level (grade) below 4, in fact, are simply advanced PC users. For example, the following positions correspond to them: secretary, clerk, 1C operator.

The qualification requirements for specialists in this field are also subject to a certain standard. So, they must know:

• safety rules;
• operating rules, technical and operational parameters of the computer;
• methods and methods of control during the operation of devices;
• working instructional documentation;
• software products and order of system support;
• the main functionality of the OS;
• basic features of the work of various software packages;
• the most used software and rules of network handling;
• features of the organization of the local and global network (Internet);
• basic layouts of automated data processing;
• features of processing primary documentation;
• types of incoming and processed documents;
• switching procedure and basic block diagrams for setting up devices;
• types and main parameters of storage media, peripheral devices, their connection methods and methods of eliminating simple failures;
• legal regulations and professional ethics;
• typescript;
• ciphers and codes;
• methods of making calculations and methods of checking information carriers;
• order of control over machine time;
• fundamental rules that determine the order and essence of the performed technological operations;
• regulations on labor protection, the procedure for the use of fire extinguishing means;
• basic elements of a programmer's work in the scope of secondary specialized or general education.

The operator must be able to:

• enter and output information from media, as well as transmission channels;
• execute data output to the printer;
• implement the procedure for processing information on a PC;
• to send through the transmission channels the results of calculations obtained on the computer for their further implementation;
• control over the accepted documentation and register it in a special journal;
• perform data processing and correctly record the results of work in accordance with the instructions;
• to carry out the processing of primary documentation on computers of various types with its further output for the intended purpose in the established form;
• perform integration and taxation of information in digital form;
• perform basic mathematical calculations;
• carry out sorting, proper placement, selection, selection, be able to combine arrays by group characteristics;
• be able to handle mathematical reference books and tabular data;
• write invoices, draw up statements, summaries and reports;
• draw up accompanying documentation and work orders for the work performed;
• own methods of checking the error-free operation of equipment, prepare it for work;
• adjust the computer according to simple switching schemes, be able to eliminate individual faults yourself;
• identify and eliminate malfunctions in the operation of equipment;
• install OS, anti-virus software, be able to properly connect peripheral equipment;
• work with a template;
• enter text information in fluent order;
• comply with the rules of labor protection and fire safety.

In accordance with ETKS, the operator's specialty is divided into levels (categories), the acquisition of which corresponds to a certain amount of professional skills and knowledge.

Specialist 4 levels must monitor the operation of equipment, be able to work with a text editor, tables and other data. Read and transfer information to various types of media, print texts. Replace and refill cartridges.Own modern office equipment.

Specialist 5 levels must own methods of data processing using computers, be able to enter information from various carriers and transmission channels. Work with tabular and text editors, be able to test software products.

In the qualifications of a specialist 6 levels already includes the ability to install programs, ensure the functionality of a computer system, identify errors in the system. For 7 category the ability not only to install software, but also to monitor its performance, to monitor the uninterrupted operation of the system is imperative.

For specialists 8 category it is necessary to be able to install and configure the operating system using the possibilities for its modernization. Here you need skills to restore the operation of the OS, software products and drivers.

The specialty of a computer operator is acquired in institutions of secondary vocational education, which are common today throughout the country. Many of them have acquired the status of structural divisions of universities or have special agreements with higher education institutions. That's why young people who have received a specialty can enter universities on preferential terms.

Technological colleges, technical schools of radio electronics and other institutions produce specialists with such qualifications. In addition, special distance learning courses have been organized for this profile, which train personnel at the regional levels. There are many different training centers where you can get the relevant knowledge and skills. For example, the IT Academy has a number of branches in twenty cities of Russia. They can master the most common software products. These include the IT-course training center, the STEP international computer academy, as well as a number of many other organizations.

The size of the salary of a computer operator depends on the category that a specialist has. Its average level in Russia is 14,300-45,000 rubles, and in Moscow - 30,000-50,000 rubles.

Nowadays it is rather difficult to find an organization or enterprise where information technologies are not applied. Technological lines and production at enterprises are automated and computerized. That's why a specialist who knows his business will be able to find a worthy application for himself in almost any field of activity. Moreover, if you have work experience and quality education.

Often, workers of this profile are used in medical institutions (clinics, registries, hospitals). That is, where outpatient information about patients is to be systematized, a detailed record of medicines is kept, letters are prepared to state institutions and medical institutions. In the field of banking and accounting, there are often specialized employees involved in the systematization of financial information, the formation and maintenance of databases and lists.

In trade, such specialists are needed to keep track of primary documents, prepare statements, invoices, expense orders, form and encode information arrays. Today shops, cafes, trade and numerous entertainment establishments are happy to employ such specialists. In the media, competent typesetters, specialists capable of working with advertising, and designers are in demand. In television studios, a rare broadcast is dispensed with the involvement of computer scientists for the formation of advertising on-air plots and the editing of films.

Computer operators work in many structures of state bodies. For example, in the police, where there are special analytical structures equipped with powerful computer technology, including search technology.In such subdivisions, the operative search for the necessary information in huge information arrays (databases) is relevant. Often, interested employers in need of relevant specialists pay for the education of those who wish in educational institutions.

Regarding the prospects of the profession under discussion, we note that the level of its demand in the coming years will not fall. On the contrary, it will grow along with the increasing requirements for operators with grades above 4. The increasingly popular remote employment will really compete with operators up to grade 4, since this type of work is not particularly difficult for young mothers, students or people starting this business.

In general, this is a starting specialty.... In order to have a decent income, it is important to continue training, achieving real professional skills in the chosen area. Indeed, only after mastering good skills and an appropriate theoretical base, you can get the qualifications of a programmer or web developer.