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What does an operations technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does an operations technician do

An operations technician is a plant employee responsible for monitoring and operating facilities of work platforms in a firm. To ensure supply availability and reduce rig downtime, operations technicians collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot mechanical problems and perform maintenance. They promote production safety by implementing instructions and procedures following the company's safety and environmental standards. They also maintain records of equipment history and report accidents to the appropriate personnel.

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Operations technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real operations technician resumes:

  • Manage safety program to ensure compliance with company, OSHA, NFPA-70E and industry regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
  • Maintain numerous automate scripts to assist in managing Linux systems.
  • Participate in troubleshoot of control systems and complex equipment associate with gasoline / crude oil operations.
  • Follow production ISO and ESD standards.
  • Provide UNIX training and support to development and operations staff.
  • Recognize SME on processes & responsible for many process improvements.
  • Prepare maintenance schedule and job plans for plant's CMMS program.
  • Create, edit and close work orders using company proprietary programs CMMS.
  • Restart UNIX and window base servers as directed by second level support.
  • Provide all new hires their PPE, work schedule, and health insurance info.
  • Perform all tests to ensure the asphalt and concrete materials are made to specifications.
  • Repair all makes and models of vehicle with focus in Toyota and Chrysler product.
  • Check credentials of persons seeking to enter the property, complying with FAA guidelines.
  • Spray plants, trees and grass with pesticides to control destructive insects and diseases.

Operations technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 8% of Operations Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Hand Tools, and Preventative Maintenance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Customer-service skills, and Dexterity.

We break down the percentage of Operations Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 8%

    Recognized by Continental Airlines for superb customer service during commissioning of new baggage handling system at Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston.

  • Hand Tools, 8%

    Document and upload all maintenance and repairs of light towers, centrifugal pumps, oilfield hand tools, etc.

  • Preventative Maintenance, 6%

    Operated and maintained complex and common repairs throughout an operation * Performed Preventative Maintenance from assigned work orders and other duties

  • Ladders, 5%

    Climb ladders, used fall harness, safety glasses and other proper PPE to complete job tasks safely.

  • Safety Procedures, 5%

    Worked safely to prevent on-the-job injuries by following Standard Operating Procedures and Corporate safety procedures.

  • Patients, 4%

    Utilized management techniques and software to increase accuracy and efficiency to properly distribute medication and supplies to patients and facilities.

"customer service," "hand tools," and "preventative maintenance" are among the most common skills that operations technicians use at work. You can find even more operations technician responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. Another essential skill to perform operations technician duties is customer-service skills. Operations technicians responsibilities require that "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Operations technicians also use customer-service skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "adhere to strict organizational, customer, and fda product purity standards. "

Dexterity. operations technicians are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to operations technician responsibilities, because "many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." An operations technician resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "inspected repaired wireless handsets returned by customer ensured handsets met quality standards published by t-mobile"

Troubleshooting skills. For certain operations technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "troubleshooting skills." The day-to-day duties of an operations technician rely on this skill, as "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what operations technicians do: "gained plc and electrical troubleshooting experience by incorporating a variety of skill sets to a team environment. "

All operations technician skills

The three companies that hire the most operations technicians are:

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Compare different operations technicians

Operations technician vs. Manufacturing technician

A manufacturing technician, or often called a manufacturing production technician, is an individual who is responsible for setting and testing manufacturing machinery or equipment. To set up the machines, manufacturing technicians will use electronic, electrical, mechanical, or computer technologies. They are responsible for gathering data from their part in the manufacturing process and reporting it to their production or manufacturing engineers. When handling machines or equipment, manufacturing technicians must strictly follow their health and safety procedures and protocols.

If we compare the average operations technician annual salary with that of a manufacturing technician, we find that manufacturing technicians typically earn a $3,046 lower salary than operations technicians make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both operations technician and manufacturing technician positions are skilled in hand tools, preventative maintenance, and ladders.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an operations technician are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "patients," "windows," and "minor maintenance." On the other hand, a job as a manufacturing technician requires skills like "continuous improvement," "lean manufacturing," "dexterity," and "cip." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Manufacturing technicians earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $42,022. On the other hand, operations technicians are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $47,261.The education levels that manufacturing technicians earn slightly differ from operations technicians. In particular, manufacturing technicians are 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an operations technician. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Operations technician vs. Technician

Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.

On average, technicians earn a $2,854 lower salary than operations technicians a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both operations technicians and technicians have skills such as "customer service," "hand tools," and "preventative maintenance. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, operations technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "math," "work ethic," and "minor maintenance." Meanwhile, a technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "patient care," "diagnosis," "osha," and "vital signs." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Technicians earn a lower average salary than operations technicians. But technicians earn the highest pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $46,660. Additionally, operations technicians earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $47,261 annually.technicians earn similar levels of education than operations technicians in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Operations technician vs. Machines technician

A machine technician can often be seen in a manufacturing company, factories, processing centers, and machine shops. They typically work as the apprentice of machine engineers that are responsible for ensuring that all machinery and machine tools are working properly. A technician operates, installs, maintains, inspects, and repairs equipment depending on what industry they are working in, whether it may be an industrial or automotive setup. They must be keen on detail and keep the machines or equipment to the highest quality standard at all times.

An average machines technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of operations technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to machines technicians earning a $1,145 lower average salary than operations technicians.By looking over several operations technicians and machines technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "hand tools," "safety procedures," and "math." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an operations technician is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "preventative maintenance," "ladders," and "patients," while a typical machines technician is skilled in "calipers," "good communication," "preventive maintenance," and "grinders."

Machines technicians make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $41,569. On the other hand, operations technicians are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $47,261.Most machines technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to operations technicians. For example, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Operations technician vs. Maintenance technician

Maintenance technicians are technicians who specialize in the preservation of office facilities. They have in-depth knowledge of how various office equipment or fixtures work so that they can immediately identify how to repair them in case of breakdowns. Maintenance technicians perform diagnostics and routine maintenance activities to ensure that everything in the office is running well. They immediately repair problems in fixtures or equipment to avoid any further damages or safety concerns. They should be familiar with occupational safety and health standards to ensure that the office is a safe place to work.

Maintenance technicians tend to earn a higher pay than operations technicians by an average of $2,394 per year.While both operations technicians and maintenance technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, hand tools, and ladders, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between operations technicians and maintenance technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an operations technician might have more use for skills like "preventative maintenance," "safety procedures," "patients," and "windows." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of maintenance technicians require skills like "plumbing," "electrical systems," "maintenance tasks," and "osha. "

Maintenance technicians enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $50,146. For comparison, operations technicians earn the highest salary in the energy industry.The average resume of maintenance technicians showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to operations technicians. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.

Types of operations technician

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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