Computer Network Support Specialists
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Back up network data.
- Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
- Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
- Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
- Document network support activities.
- Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
- Install network software, including security or firewall software.
- Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes.
- Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
- Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
- Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
- Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
- Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment.
- Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
- Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
- Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables.
- Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
- Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
- Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
- Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
- Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
- Maintain logs of network activity.
- Document help desk requests and resolutions.
- Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
- Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
- Run monthly network reports.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
98%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
98%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
96%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
95%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
93%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
90%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
86%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
83%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
82%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
73%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
70%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
69%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
68%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
68%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
67%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
63%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
63%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
62%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
58%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
58%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
57%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
55%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
53%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
49%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
48%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
44%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
42%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
40%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
40%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
36%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
35%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
35%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
35%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
32%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
26%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
25%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
23%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
23%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
22%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
20%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
19%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
13%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
13%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
11%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
11%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
11%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
9%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
8%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
8%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
7%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
6%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
3%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
1%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
1%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
1%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
0%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
0%
Education
Bachelor's degree
Associate's degree
Some college, no degree
Interests
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Work Styles
Work Values
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