Office equipment repair technician

An office equipment repair technician

Description

Office equipment repair technicians provide services to businesses related to installing, maintaining and repairing new or existing equipment such as printers, scanners and modems, on the clients’ premises. They keep records of performed services and return equipment to a repair centre if needed.

The duties of an office equipment repair technicians include, but are not limited to:

  • Installing new or refurbished equipment
  • Carrying out scheduled maintenance checks
  • Diagnosing and fixing faults on site
  • Fitting replacement equipment
  • Returning faulty equipment to a repair centre
  • Logging repairs and writing up maintenance reports
  • Training office staff to use new equipment

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to office equipment repair technician:

office service technician
IT repair technician
office facility repair inspector
office facilities manager
copier repair technician
office equipment repairer
office equipment service technician
IT repair inspector
office machines technician
electronic service technician
office equipment service inspector
office facilities inspector
office equipment inspector
office facilities technician
office service inspector

Working conditions

Office equipment repair technicians often work in office settings and are expected to wear business clothes. They use electronic meters and other electrical testing equipment as well as hand tools such as pliers and screwdrivers. They may need to travel from one service call to another and do some heavy lifting. There are few hazards in the occupation. However, the work can be stressful when customers are impatient.

Office equipment repair technicians tend to work standard office hours. Some technicians must be on call for after-hours emergency repairs. Some jobs require out-of-town travel.

Minimum qualifications

Most office equipment repair technicians train on the job. Most employers prefer to hire people who already have good customer service skills and basic computer skills. Employers also prefer applicants who have a good understanding of electronic and electrical systems. These might include graduates of electronics courses or programs, or people with previous experience in electronics and mechanical repair.

Some employers require employees to have a vehicle and a valid driver’s license.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Office equipment repair technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

Office equipment repair technician career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to office equipment repair technician.

consumer electronics repair technician
computer hardware repair technician
household appliances repair technician
ATM repair technician
mobile phone repair technician

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of office equipment repair technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of office equipment repair technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

body artist
wedding planner
performance rental technician
ICT help desk manager
air pollution analyst

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of office equipment repair technician.

  • Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of office equipment repair technician.

  • Create solutions to problems: Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
  • Set up office equipment: Connect office equipment, such as modems, scanners and printers, to the electricity network and perform electrical bonding to avoid dangerous potential differences. Test the installation for proper functioning. Monitor settings and prepare the appliance for usage.
  • Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
  • Maintain records of maintenance interventions: Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
  • Use diagnostic tools for electronic repairs: Use diagnostic equipment to measure current, resistance and voltage. Handle sophisticated multimeters to measure inductance, capacitance and current transistor gain.
  • Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
  • Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
  • Use repair manuals: Apply the information, such as periodic maintenance charts, step by step repair instructions, troubleshooting information and overhaul procedures to perform routine maintenance and repairs.
  • Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
  • Instruct clients on the usage of office equipment: Provide customers with information about office equipment and instruct them on how to use equipment such as printers, scanners and modems.
  • Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
  • Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
  • Provide customer information related to repairs: Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.
  • Repair equipment on site: Identify malfunctions and repair or replace multi-media, audio-visual and computer systems, hardware and equipment on site.
  • Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
  • Provide customer follow-up services: Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
  • Repair electronic components: Repair, replace or adjust damaged electronics components or circuitry; use hand tools and soldering and welding equipment.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of office equipment repair technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Manage schedule of tasks: Maintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.
  • Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
  • Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the appropriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
  • Manage a small-to-medium business: Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
  • Maintain relationship with suppliers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
  • Make independent operating decisions: Make immediate operating decisions as necessary without reference to others, taking into account the circumstances and any relevant procedures and legislation. Determine alone which option is the best for a particular situation.
  • Ensure compliance with warranty contracts: Implement and monitor repairs and/or replacements by the supplier in compliance with warranty contracts.
  • Assemble machines: Assemble machines according to instructions and specifications.
  • Maintain professional administration: File and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.
  • Administer appointments: Accept, schedule and cancel appointments.
  • Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
  • Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Sell office equipment: Sell office equipment such as modems, computer hardware or printers. Provide advice on purchase decisions and try to meet customers wishes. Process payments.
  • Negotiate supplier arrangements: Reach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.
  • Communicate by telephone: Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
  • Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
  • Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
  • Perform services in a flexible manner: Adapt service approach when circumstances change.
  • Transport office equipment: Load and unload equipment to be repaired or replaced, new or replacement equipment and transport it towards or from customers.
  • Keep stock records: Keep written records of the amount of stock in storage, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks.
  • Report to the team leader: Keep the team leader informed on current and emerging issues.

ISCO group and title

7421 – Electronics mechanics and servicers


References
  1. Office equipment repair technician – ESCO
  2. Office Equipment Technician: Occupations in Alberta – alis
  3. Office equipment technician – career guide and latest jobs – Sort
  4. Featured image: By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Alex J. Recalde. – This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 040128-N-5952R-001 (next), Public Domain
Last updated on October 11, 2022

What do you want to do with this job?

You will be brought to the forum page

Requires a business account

Requires a business account