What does a configuration specialist do?
A configuration specialist is responsible for preparing computer applications, systems, and software for use. Your duties include assisting in the development of software, assisting in the setup of computer software, and organizing and conducting training on how to use the software. In addition, you will assist in the development and implementation of configuration management procedures, ensuring data integrity, quality, and security in the configuration management database. You will also be responsible for evaluating team members' performance and provide recommendations for improvements.
Configuration specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real configuration specialist resumes:
- Manage and review UAT testing requirements while assisting with UAT testing during application rollouts.
- Manage multiple imaging-relate projects across both radiology and cardiology service lines, both inpatient and outpatient, to completion.
- Integrate XML and various API's to CMS for live data feeds.
- Set up SQL and XML databases and connect them to the CMS.
- Respond to various customer inquiries or requests (e.g., missing ASN).
- Post EOB's from insurance carriers and appeal deny claims to insurance companies.
- Team member responsible for the evaluation and selection of the company's ERP system.
- Receive orders through EDI, send ASN's after orders ship to notify customers.
- Modify and monitor batch jobs to set up mainframe trading partners in DB2 database.
- Provide Documentum support for issues that business team (domestic and international) encounter.
- Monitor processes on mainframe to ensure quality and completeness of jobs' steps and transmissions.
- Train the EDI personnel on how to develop, implement and maintain all aspects of GIS.
- Order set-up include assigning company codes for client, such as payroll, benefits, and time & labor.
- Used PDM database to create, delete, promote, and link part and document records in the database system.
- Research in regulatory matters re EPA and FDA in client manufacturing and marketing matters; liaise with EPA and FDA representatives.
Configuration specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Configuration Specialists are proficient in Troubleshoot, System Configuration, and Configuration Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Configuration Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Troubleshoot, 8%
Act as second level support to troubleshoot and resolve end user questions or issues regarding Finance and other Account Receivable systems.
- System Configuration, 6%
Designed system configuration modifications based on requirements gathered for rating structures and algorithms through IT and Stakeholders.
- Configuration Management, 6%
Change Configuration Specialist I was responsible for change management and configuration management in an ITIL certified Information System environment.
- CRM, 5%
Trained the administrators and engineers on Stratasoft CRM applications.
- Medicare, 5%
Read and interpreted provider contracts-both Commercial and Medicare lines of business-for translation to system Pricing Configurations.
- Salesforce, 4%
Worked as a configuration specialist for SalesForce doing desktop support and provisioning.
Most configuration specialists use their skills in "troubleshoot," "system configuration," and "configuration management" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential configuration specialist responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a configuration specialist to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Additionally, a configuration specialist resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "performed various moving projects for customers, involving teardown, setup, and testing of pcs. "
Listening skills. Many configuration specialist duties rely on listening skills. "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation.," so a configuration specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways configuration specialist responsibilities rely on listening skills: "communicated system issues with vendors and participated with implementation and go-lives. "
Speaking skills. configuration specialists are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to configuration specialist responsibilities, because "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." A configuration specialist resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "presented and implemented the latitude patient management system across cardiologyclinics in a 6 state area of the southeastern united states. "
Writing skills. A big part of what configuration specialists do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to configuration specialist responsibilities because "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical configuration specialist tasks: "assigned fee schedules to providers including writing and determining hierarchy of conditions and exceptions to the primary fee schedules. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in configuration specialist job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what configuration specialists do. Configuration specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." You can also see how configuration specialist duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "diagnosed and resolved complex problems within source code utilizing c++, visual basic 6.0 and java programming languages. "
The three companies that hire the most configuration specialists are:
Compare different configuration specialists
Configuration specialist vs. Help desk specialist
The primary role of help desk specialists is to maintain relationships between the company and its customers. Their duties and responsibilities include responding to guests' queries, providing technical computer support, and maintaining computer systems' performance. Help desk specialists are also responsible for following up with customers to resolve issues and train computer users. There are several requirements to be qualified for this position, which include having relevant customer service experience, problem-solving and analytical skills, and the ability to prioritize vital tasks.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a configuration specialist are more likely to require skills like "system configuration," "configuration management," "crm," and "medicare." On the other hand, a job as a help desk specialist requires skills like "customer service," "desk support," "phone calls," and "client facing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Help desk specialists earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $60,916. On the other hand, configuration specialists are paid more in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $95,956.On average, help desk specialists reach similar levels of education than configuration specialists. Help desk specialists are 4.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Configuration specialist vs. Support specialist/trainer
A support specialist/trainer is in charge of developing training and support programs for employees in a company. Among their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, coordinating with the human resources department, and developing strategies to improve the skills of new and current employees. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients to address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a support specialist/trainer must enforce the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that configuration specialist responsibilities requires skills like "system configuration," "configuration management," "crm," and "medicare." But a support specialist/trainer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "training programs," "training materials," "powerpoint," and "training sessions."
Support specialist/trainers may earn a lower salary than configuration specialists, but support specialist/trainers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $47,998. On the other hand, configuration specialists receive higher pay in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,956.support specialist/trainers earn similar levels of education than configuration specialists in general. They're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Configuration specialist vs. Systems specialist
Systems specialists are professionals who maintain, troubleshoot, and install information and computer systems. They identify the software, data, and hardware needs of companies. Generally, they work in physically demanding indoor environments installing complicated networks. They manage, lead, and coordinate technical support for new software, upgrades, and products. Also, they configure systems for the users and assess data from different sources to make a decision.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a configuration specialist is likely to be skilled in "system configuration," "configuration management," "crm," and "medicare," while a typical systems specialist is skilled in "customer service," "veterans," "patients," and "project management."
Systems specialists make a very good living in the manufacturing industry with an average annual salary of $91,431. On the other hand, configuration specialists are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $95,956.systems specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to configuration specialists. Specifically, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Configuration specialist vs. Field service specialist
A field service specialist is responsible for visiting sites and driving down to clients' locations to provide support for their technical and mechanical issues. Field service specialists identify maintenance problems by asking questions to the clients and personally fix those errors, informing the clients of technical solutions. They also perform installation and quality check services to ensure the stability and efficiency of the technical components and materials. A field service specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially the ability to work for extended hours in the field to achieve the highest customer satisfaction.
Updated January 8, 2025
