IT Technician Job Description (With Skills And Duties)

Updated 14 May 2023

Companies often encounter software, hardware, network and IT equipment failure, resulting in disruption to services. IT technicians within a company help resolve these issues and ensure the IT systems are secure, functional, and up-to-date. If you want to pursue a career as an IT technician you can benefit from learning about the duties and skills necessary to excel in the role. In this article, we provide an IT technician job description, highlight their duties, outline their skills and share a step-by-step guide to becoming one.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

IT Technician Job Description

An IT technician job description is a document that explains the role, responsibilities, qualifications, preferred certifications and required skills for the position. Here is an example:

We are seeking an experienced IT technician to join our team and provide technical support to our organisation. The ideal candidate would be responsible for maintaining and upgrading hardware, software, and network systems. They would also troubleshoot and resolve any issues with different IT equipment. The minimum qualification is a bachelor's or diploma in computer science or a related field. They would also require at least three years of experience in IT support or a related role. Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and tools such as firewalls, antivirus software and intrusion detection and prevention systems is preferable.

IT Technician Duties

The duties of an IT technician include the following:

Installing or upgrading computer systems and networks in the workplace
Troubleshooting software, hardware and other IT equipment issues
Securing computer networks by performing periodic upgrades to firewalls
Maintaining technical documentation
Conducting performance checks for newly installed software or hardware
Coordinating with developers, testers, IT managers and other IT staff to resolve technical issues
Running periodic backups to ensure availability during failures or outages
Maintaining hardware and software inventory

Skills For An IT Technician

Here are some skills necessary for IT technicians:

Knowledge of operating systems

Knowing how an operating system (OS) functions is essential to configuring it on different hardware systems. As an IT technician, knowing about the features and utilities provided by different OS for troubleshooting, and maintenance can help you resolve technical issues with ease. Understanding the different security measures offered by various OS can help you configure security settings or add additional compatible software to secure IT systems. Having experience in OS compatibility testing can help you test how applications behave in different operating systems.

Knowledge of computer networks

Computer networking enables the communication and sharing of resources between devices connected to a network. As an IT technician, you need a fundamental knowledge of network topologies, protocols, security and network management. This assists you in troubleshooting networking issues such as a faulty cable, a misconfigured router or a software issue to provide quick resolutions. It helps you secure the network infrastructure from cyberattacks by installing firewalls, installing malware protection, updating software and setting up virtual private networks (VPNs). You also get to work alongside network engineers in designing and implementing network infrastructure with the latest tools, and techniques.

Troubleshooting

Identifying an issue, determining its source and providing quick resolutions is a primary skill for IT technicians. Troubleshooting skills can help you minimise system downtime, improve system performance and ensure the smooth running of operations within an organisation. With significant experience in the field, you can also work on developing an IT troubleshooting framework that can help the team resolve common issues with ease.

Cloud computing

Companies may migrate existing infrastructure, applications and data onto the cloud from their on-premise systems. Having a good understanding of different cloud vendors and their unique solutions can help you decide on one during migration activities. Basic knowledge of cloud security, migration and management can provide a competitive advantage during interviews. You can pursue foundational-level certification courses that leading cloud service providers offer to stay updated in the field.

Automation and scripting

Companies may automate certain processes as part of their business process automation (BPA) strategy to make them more efficient and error-free. Some areas can include configuration management, cloud resources management, security automation and data centre automation. Knowing how to use automation software can help you complete repetitive, time-consuming tasks with ease. This allows you to dedicate more time to challenging tasks requiring critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Communication and collaboration

IT technicians work with the database, networking, development and testing teams as part of their daily duties to resolve technical issues, update software, hardware, and networks or perform periodic maintenance. When working as a team they may also get an opportunity to learn new tools and techniques. For instance, an IT technician coordinating with the development team may learn about a new security tool that employs machine learning to anticipate cyber threats. Being able to communicate and collaborate effectively is paramount to success in this role.

Vendor management

As an IT technician, procuring software, hardware and other IT equipment from different vendors can be part of your responsibilities. Good vendor management skills can help you negotiate better pricing, delivery timelines and support agreements. It can aid in building lasting relationships with vendors, resulting in effective delivery, maintenance and customer support. It can also help you stay updated with new product releases, and updates.

How To Become An IT Technician?

Follow these steps if you want to become an IT technician:

1. Get a formal education

Though there is no formal requirement for a degree to become an IT technician, many candidates applying for the role usually have a bachelor's or a diploma in computer science, information science or a related field. This can be advantageous when negotiating salary and benefits during a job search. If you are a 10th or 12th graduate looking to pursue this career path, completing the following certifications can help you find a job:

Computer Operator And Programming Assistance issued by Industrial Training Institute (ITI)
Basic Computer Course conducted by National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT)

2. Gain work experience

To gain experience as an IT technician you can start working in entry-level jobs such as computer operators or help-desk technicians. These roles usually involve providing technical support to end-users, troubleshooting issues and maintaining computer systems, and networks. After you have significant experience in network management, troubleshooting and hardware, and software installation, you can apply for the role of an IT technician. Some other suitable roles include system administrator or network administrator.

3. Get certified

Pursuing certifications can help you improve your skills and knowledge in the field. It also indicates your interest in career development. Adding them to your resume can help enhance your credibility in the field. Here are some certifications you can consider:

CompTIA A+: This is an entry-level certification that focuses on hardware, software, troubleshooting and basic networking.
CompTIA Security+: This is an entry-level certification covering topics such as cybersecurity best practices, risk management and incident response.
CompTIA Network+: This is an entry-level certification covering network design, configuration, troubleshooting and management.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): This is a mid-level certification that includes topics such as Windows Server, SQL Server and Office.
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): This is an entry-level certification focusing on areas such as networking concepts, routing, switching and basic security.

4. Update your resume

Review the job description to identify relevant keywords, including skills, work experience and qualifications. Update your resume to include those that align with your skill set and experience. Add an updated professional summary highlighting your key skills and notable achievements in the field. List your work experience in reverse chronological order including your job title, company name, employment date and role. Add relevant certifications along with the vendor's name and issue date. When describing your roles, use strong action verbs, and quantifiable results.

Consider using action verbs such as installed, configured, repaired, upgraded or developed. For example, you can mention how you reduced system downtime by 50% through proactive maintenance and upgrades. This helps you emphasise the impact of your work and the value you added to your previous organisations. If you are a recent graduate with no work experience, you can consider adding your coursework projects or projects that you completed as part of your training. You can add volunteering and extracurricular activities to demonstrate your soft skills. You can also include academic references or character reference letters on your resume.

5. Network with people

Take part in networking events, attend workshops and connect with industry experts to stay updated on recent developments in the field. You can follow experts on social media to read opinion pieces, technology blogs and other content. Networking can also help you get recommendations or referrals from experienced people, aiding your job search.