Computer Network Technician Job Description

Computer network technicians are responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of computer networks. A computer network includes a group of computers that communicate with each other through a server. A network technician sets up and manages the network for an organization.

Educational Qualifications
A high school diploma or equivalent is essential to start within this field, but training and knowledge of computers and their applications is required. Certifications from reputed institutes can help in enhancing the prospects in this field. Some of the courses that an aspiring candidate can take up are

• CompTIA A+
• Cisco CCENT and CCNA
• Microsoft MCTS and MCITP

Duties and Responsibilities
The job role of a network technician involves working with the IT team of an organization and resolving the software and the hardware issues. Some of the main duties and responsibilities are

• A computer network technician is responsible for checking the computers and related applications to maintain smooth operations.
• A network technician has to continuously update the network manager about the installation and configuration of various applications.
• He assists in maintaining and repairing the network infrastructure like operating systems, routers and other network related components.
• There are times when certain network issues can be rectified if these are diagnosed early, so the network technician has to check all the components and identify the potential issues.
• Computer technicians has to also prepare written materials to convey the information regarding the servers to the organization in a professional manner.
• Some of the support systems that the network technician has to look after are email systems, VOIP, IP addresses. He has to ensure that these are made available to authorized users.

Working Environment
Apart from being proficient in the field of software and hardware, the network technician is also required to carry some physical job such as lifting and pushing machines, equipment and supplies. The network technician may have to manage a lot of projects and deal with several clients at the same time. So, it is essential that the network technician has effective time management skills to cope with the pressure.

Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer network technicians have excellent career opportunities as the growth rate is expected at 18% till 2016. This growth rate will create approximately over a hundred thousand jobs. Computer networks are mainstay of many businesses and the network technicians will always be in demand. The biggest threat that the organizations face today are system crashes and cyber attacks and network technicians can help in preventing these issues.

Salary
The average salary of a network technician is between $33,000 to $50,000. There are a lot of factors that influence the salary package and growth opportunities, primary among them being work experience, educational qualifications, type of employer etc. Computer network technicians are also entitled to profit-sharing and bonuses which are usually in the range of $1,000 to $2,000 annually. New York is the best city to work for network technicians with better growth opportunities and competitive salary package followed by Houston and Chicago. Network technicians with more than five years of experience can make more than $60,000 and the good news is that it is not only the private firms that are hiring network technicians, but the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army are the top employers of network technicians.

This was some brief information on the job role of a computer technician. If you have a high school diploma or an equivalent and aspire to be a network technician, then you will be glad to know that a certified course and impressive recommendations can help you grab the various opportunities that this industry has to offer.