Computer Operator

Definition

Computer Operator

the role that is played when a person operates computers and peripheral equipment in a data center

Classification

As illustrated in the preceding figure, Computer Operator is part of the following inheritance hierarchy:

• Type: Concrete
• Superclass: Engineer
• Subclasses:
  • None

Responsibilities

The typical role-specific responsibilities of a Computer Operator are to:

• Schedule and coordinate daily computer operations.
• Control and monitor the routine operation of applications using the operator consoles, control panel lights, buttons, and switches.
• Schedule, load, configure, execute, control, and monitor batch software applications (e.g., monthly reports or regular system backups).
• Monitor the hardware and running applications for equipment or application failures, and where practical, fix them (e.g., load patches).
• Tend the peripheral equipment (e.g., disk and tape libraries, printers, plotters,magnetic ink reader-sorters, optical character reader, etc.) including:
  • Label, mount, dismount, and distribute removable storage media (e.g., tape reels, tape cartrages, and disks).
  • Load printers and plotters with paper and ink.
  • Loads checks or other documents into magnetic ink reader-sorters or optical character readers.
  • Separate, sort, and distribute printed materials.
• Classify, catalog, and maintain removable storage media.
• Observe printed materials for defects, such as creases and tears.
• Issue problem reports and help programmers debug associated software applications.
• Produce and maintain the computer operations section of the operations manual.
• Perform system backup and roleback.
• Maintain routine records.

Computer operators typically inherit common role responsibilities from the role process component.

Personal Profile

To fulfill these responsibilities, computer operators should typically have the following personal characteristics, expertise, training, and experience:

Personal Characteristics

Computer operators should typically have the following personal characteristics:

• Ability to lift and carry tapes, disks, paper, and other computer supplies, which may weigh up to 60 pounds.
• Ability to work both independently and under close supervision.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to make schedules and meet deadlines.
• Able to comfortably multitask (i.e., perform multiple configuration management tasks concurrently).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for:
  • Handling job requests.
  • Documenting computer operation tasks and procedures.

Expertise

Computer operators typically should have the following expertise:

• Expert practical knowledge of:
  • Computer operations tasks, techniques, tools, and work products.
  • Computer systems and their vendors
• Solid practical knowledge of:
  • The computer hardware and computer peripheral equipment in the data centers.
• Basic practical knowledge of the:
  • Scheduling.
  • Business enterprise of the customer’s organization.

Training

Computer operators should typically have the following training:

• A bachelor’s degree or better in software or systems engineering, computer science, or the equivalent.
• Vendor certifications in the relevant computer hardware and computer peripheral equipment.
• Practical hands-on training in:
  • The project process, especially in terms of relevant tasks, techniques, and work products.
  • Computer operation tasks, techniques, tools, and work products.
  • Computer systems and their vendors.
• Reads books, technical journals, and conference proceedings on computer operations.

Experience

Computer operators should typically have the following experience:

• A minimum of 1 year’s experience using relevant server computers and operating relevant computer peripheral equipment.

Tasks

Computer operators typically perform the following role-specific tasks in an iterative, incremental, parallel, and time-boxed manner:

• Application Operation
• Hardware Component Servicing
• Operations Documentation
• User Documentation Maintenance (computer operator’s operational tasks).

Computer operators typically inherit common role tasks from the role process component.

Teams

Computer operators typically perform these tasks as members of the following teams:

• Operations Team

Work Products

As members of these teams, computer operators typically produce all or part of the following work products:

• Operations Manual (computer operator operational tasks)
• Operations Log (computer operator task performances)

Guidelines

• Include this role in the endeavor-specific process only if the endeavor includes the usage phase.
• Computer operators often advance from operating peripheral equipment to controlling the main consoles in data centers.
• Computer perators typically report to system admistrators.
• This role is sometimes decomposed into subroles including:
  • Computer Peripheral Equipment Operator.
  • Tape or Disk Librarian
• This role typically inherits the common team guidelines from the roles process component.