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Version:
OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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22221.00 – User support technicians

User support technicians provide first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and with computer applications and communications software.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Call centre agent - technical support
  • Client support representative - systems
  • Computer help desk representative - systems
  • Computer help desk supervisor
  • Hardware installation technician
  • Hardware technical support analyst
  • Help desk technician
  • Software installation technician
  • Software technical support analyst
  • Systems support representative
  • Systems technical support analyst
  • Technical support analyst
  • Technical support supervisor
  • User support technician

Core competencies

  • Repairing and Troubleshooting to consistently maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade web server hardware or software
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternative solutions and make informed decisions to address user needs and maintain system functionality
  • Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity to clearly communicate with users over the phone or in person to diagnose and troubleshoot technical issues
  • Problem Identification and Inductive Reasoning to analyze hardware, software or network disfunctions, gather relevant information and identify potential causes of the issue
  • Attention to Detail to accurately document user-reported problems, follow troubleshooting procedures systematically, and thoroughly test solutions to verify their effectiveness
  • Knowledge in Client Service to build rapport with users, manage expectations, and ensure a positive experience, such as demonstrating empathy, patience, and professionalism when interacting with users

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Communicate electronically and in person with computer users experiencing difficulties to determine and document problems experienced
  • Consult user guides, technical manuals and other documents to research and implement solutions
  • Reproduce, diagnose and resolve technical problems encountered by users
  • Provide advice and training to users in response to identified difficulties
  • Provide business systems, network and Internet support to users in response to identified difficulties
  • Collect, organize and maintain a problems and solutions log for use by other technical support analysts
  • Participate in the redesign of applications and other software
  • May supervise other technical support workers in this group.

Additional information

  • Progression to computer programming, interactive media development, Web development or systems analysis is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Computer network and web technicians (22220)
  • Computer systems developers and programmers (21230)
  • Cybersecurity specialists (21220)
  • Information systems testing technicians (22222)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

222 – Technical occupations related to applied sciences (except engineering)

Minor group

2222 – Technical occupations in computer and information systems

Unit group

22221 – User support technicians

Occupational profile

22221.00 – User support technicians

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.