Computer Operators

Monitor and control electronic computer and peripheral electronic data processing equipment to process business, scientific, engineering, and other data according to operating instructions. May enter commands at a computer terminal and set controls on computer and peripheral devices. Monitor and respond to operating and error messages.

Job Task

• Answer telephone calls to assist computer users encountering problems.
• Help programmers and systems analysts test and debug new programs.
• Oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, including coordinating and scheduling the use of computer terminals and networks to ensure efficient use.
• Supervise and train peripheral equipment operators and computer operator trainees.
• Operate encoding machine to trace coordinates on documents such as maps or drawings, and to encode document points into computer.
• Operate spreadsheet programs and other types of software to load and manipulate data and to produce reports.
• Clear equipment at end of operating run and review schedule to determine next assignment.
• Enter commands, using computer terminal, and activate controls on computer and peripheral equipment to integrate and operate equipment.
• Load peripheral equipment with selected materials for operating runs, or oversee loading of peripheral equipment by peripheral equipment operators.
• Monitor the system for equipment failure or errors in performance.
• Notify supervisor or computer maintenance technicians of equipment malfunctions.
• 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.
• Record information such as computer operating time, problems that occurred, and actions taken.
• 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.
• Type command on keyboard to transfer encoded data from memory unit to magnetic tape and assist in labeling, classifying, cataloging and maintaining tapes.

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