What does an alarm technician do?
An alarm technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots security alarms that are used in a company or establishment. Security alarms serve to deter to thievery and break-ins. An alarm technician is responsible for ensuring that installed security alarms will always work as expected. This position requires experience as an electrician, knowledge of the common types of alarm systems, and a keen grasp of security practices.
Alarm technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real alarm technician resumes:
- Manage security access control through the LENEL system, resolve trouble tickets, programme cameras and programme card readers/biometric readers.
- Install, manage, and troubleshoot CAT3, CAT5, CAT6, and fiber optic infrastructures throughout the greater Tulsa area.
- Install and programme Lenel R40, RK40, and R10 card readers.
- Work with Linux, Unix, and windows operating systems.
- Work with Honeywell, IDI, DSC and many other panels.
- Train to work in confine spaces, lifts, extension ladders, following OSHA regulations
- Follow all OSHA and company safety procedures.
- Set up print servers on NT platform and UNIX platform.
- Install DSC security systems in every apartment in various apartment complexes across NC
- Review and troubleshot potential problems and threats relate to the DoD infrastructure.
- Install and service fire alarms, sprinklers, cooling towers, HVAC etc.
- Identify and troubleshoot equipment and electrical systems, and service selected products issues.
- Run CAT5 wire to set up network DVR for remote access to CCTV.
- Install and service standard security panels and systems (Ademco, GE, DSC )
- Inspect commercial fire alarm systems and compete all associate paperwork (including NFPA).
Alarm technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Alarm Technicians are proficient in Fire Protection, Work Ethic, and NFPA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Customer-service skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Alarm Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Fire Protection, 24%
Installed security, fire protection, and CCTV systems in businesses and corporations.
- Work Ethic, 12%
Maintained excellent working relationships between employer and customers through periodic contact, good work ethic and positive attitude toward customer satisfaction.
- NFPA, 12%
utilize my NFPA code 72,70, 101, when needed with final inspection with the state fire Marshall.
- Alarm Equipment, 5%
Maintained proper inventory and accountability of tools, alarm equipment, and customer paperwork containing sensitive information.
- Cctv Systems, 4%
Lead Alarm installer on fire, security, card access, CCTV systems in all residential and commercial buildings
- Customer Service, 4%
Maintain professional rapport in all business environments; safety conscious and excellent customer service skills.
"fire protection," "work ethic," and "nfpa" are among the most common skills that alarm technicians use at work. You can find even more alarm technician responsibilities below, including:
Color vision. The most essential soft skill for an alarm technician to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." Additionally, an alarm technician resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "provided efficient, friendly, and informative service following established customer service standards and corporate vision. "
Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform alarm technician duties is customer-service skills. Alarm technicians responsibilities require that "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite." Alarm technicians also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "install security systems, camera systems and service all existing customer accounts. "
Dexterity. This is an important skill for alarm technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how alarm technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an alarm technician: "pull wire/cable and use ladders, scaffolding, and high lift equipment up to 40 feet for proper installation. ".
Mechanical skills. alarm technician responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them." This resume example shows what alarm technicians do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "operate power and hand tools; read and interpret blueprints and mechanical renderings. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another crucial skill for an alarm technician to carry out their responsibilities is "troubleshooting skills." A big part of what alarm technicians relies on this skill, since "telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that are not immediately apparent." How this skill relates to alarm technician duties can be seen in an example from an alarm technician resume snippet: "experienced with install, program, troubleshooting, and inventory of vista/lynx/dsc alarm panels. "
The three companies that hire the most alarm technicians are:
- APi Group37 alarm technicians jobs
- Securitas Electronic Security19 alarm technicians jobs
- Western States Fire Protection15 alarm technicians jobs
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Compare different alarm technicians
Alarm technician vs. Security systems installer
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, alarm technician responsibilities require skills like "fire protection," "work ethic," "nfpa," and "strong work ethic." Meanwhile a typical security systems installer has skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "ladders," "hand tools," and "test equipment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, security systems installers reach similar levels of education than alarm technicians. Security systems installers are 1.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Alarm technician vs. Security installer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real alarm technician resumes. While alarm technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "fire protection," "work ethic," "nfpa," and "strong work ethic," security installers use skills like "troubleshoot," "ladders," "customer satisfaction," and "intercom systems."
Security installers earn similar levels of education than alarm technicians in general. They're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Alarm technician vs. Protective signal installer
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, alarm technicians are more likely to have skills like "fire protection," "work ethic," "nfpa," and "strong work ethic." But a protective signal installer is more likely to have skills like "electrical equipment," "augers," "traffic signal systems," and "troubleshoot."
Most protective signal installers achieve a similar degree level compared to alarm technicians. For example, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Alarm technician vs. Burglar alarm installer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between alarm technicians and burglar alarm installers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an alarm technician might have more use for skills like "fire protection," "work ethic," "nfpa," and "strong work ethic." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of burglar alarm installers require skills like "security systems," "aba," "pre," and "air tools. "
The average resume of burglar alarm installers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to alarm technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.Types of alarm technician
Updated January 8, 2025
