Computer operator

A role within IT, computer operators oversee the running of computer systems, ensuring that the machines are running and physically secured. The traditional role of a computer operator was to work with mainframes which required a great deal of management day-to-day, however nowaday they often work with a variety of different systems and applications. The computer operator normally works in a server room or a data centre, but can also work remotely so they can operate systems across multiple sites. Most of the duties that operations staff undertake is taught on-the-job as the variety of roles is unique to the systems and set-up they help manage.

Logging events is also amongst the operator's role, listing each backup that is run or things such as machine malfunctions or program abends. Operators assist System administrators and programmers in testing and debugging of new systems and programs prior to their becoming production environments. As modern day computing has led to a greater proliferation of personal computers, the role of the operator has changed to include such other duties. Similar roles such as managing the backup systems, cycling tapes or other media, filling and maintaining printers. Computer operator also makes records for its organization.

The shifting and changing of duties for the operators has resulted due to the speed of change from older mainframe systems to newer self-managing systems but overall the operator fills in as a lower level system administrator. Most operations departments will work 24x7.

A computer operator also has knowledge about sending tapes with backup data offsite in order to recover information after a natural disaster.