Key information

  1. Reference: ST0120
  2. Date updated: 26/08/2022
  3. Level: 3
  4. Route: Digital
  5. Regulated occupation: No

This occupational standard has options. This document is currently showing the following option:

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Occupation summary

This occupation is found in organisations, large and small, in all sectors, and within public, private and voluntary organisations. Organisations of all types are increasing applying digital technologies across all their business functions to maximise productivity. The demand for people who can support and implement these digital operations and digital change projects is increasing. Organisations of all types are increasingly supporting their service users though online and digital channels. Organisations are developing omni-channel approaches to meeting customer needs to deflect telephone and face-to-face contacts and so reduce costs.

The broad purpose of a Digital Support Technician is to maximise the effective use of digital office technologies, productivity software and digital communications. These will include collaborative technologies, and digital information systems.

A Digital Support Technician will select one of the following two options.

A Digital Applications Technician (DAT) helps their organisation and its internal users to maximise the use of digital technologies. They help organisations adapt to and exploit changes in technology to meet objectives and maximise efficiency. They ensure effective use of digital office technologies, productivity software, digital communications, including collaborative technologies, and digital information systems.

A Digital Service Technician (DST) supports external customers and clients through a wide variety of digital channels. A DST helps them access and receive services and provides coaching and support to them in their use of the digital systems. A DST will support external customers and clients to complete and submit data remotely. They will help them to diagnose and resolve problems with their access to and use of digital tools.

In their daily work, Digital Support Technicians interact with a wide variety of internal or external users of digital systems. They will communicate through digital channels, by phone and/or face to face. Digital Support Technicians work under general direction, using discretion in identifying and dealing with complex issues. They receive clear instructions and have their work reviewed at frequent milestones and determine when issues should be escalated to a higher level. Digital Support Technicians interact with and influence others, having working level contact with colleagues or customers. They may supervise others or make decisions which impact the work assigned to others or to other phases of projects. A Digital Support Technician plans, schedules and monitors their own work within limited deadlines and according to relevant law, standards and procedures.

Digital Applications Technicians (DAT) devise digital productivity solutions and roll them out in the organisation. They work as digital champions, training and supporting colleagues to make the best use of digital tools and diagnose problems. They provide internal end-user application support. The DAT may also assist with digital operations and digital change projects.

Digital Service Technicians (DST) help customers and clients register for and access data, products and services through online and digital channels. This can be as part of a sales or customer service process. They support and coach external users in their use of these digital systems. They diagnose and resolve external users’ digital problems with accessing and using digital tools. A DST also advises on related hardware and software problems. They use software packages and tools such as collaborative technologies, to interface effectively with external end-users. They will use a variety of digital channels to maximise effective external user support and to resolve external end-user problems. A DST will use and maintain information systems such as Customer Relationship Management tools to manage service delivery, improve user experience and increase efficiency.

 

Typical job titles include:

Applications and on-line service executive Data administrator Database administrator Digital applications specialist Digital champion Digital coach Digital service advisor Digital service agent Digital service support Digital support professional Digital systems operator Digital transformation associate Ict support analyst It operations technician Operations technical specialist Service centre operator Technical support professional

Core occupation duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 1 Provide technical support to customers through a range of communication channels

K1 K6 K8 K10 K13

S1 S4

B1 B2

Duty 2 Manage their time, prioritising their digital support workflow to meet critical milestones

K13

S2 S9 S10

B1 B4

Duty 3 Apply relevant policies and legislation appropriate to their role, and follow appropriate escalation procedures

K4

S3 S4 S8

B1

Duty 4 Undertake basic data analysis utilising appropriate digital technologies

K5

S2 S5

Duty 5 Maintain security of data by applying the appropriate policies and complying with legislation

K3 K4 K8 K11

S3 S11

B1

Duty 6 Support continuous improvement activity within the organisation

K7 K9 K14

S9

B5

Duty 7 Resolve digital issues using the appropriate tools and technologies

S4 S5

B2

Duty 8 Collaborate with stakeholders to manage expectations, escalating as appropriate

K2 K9 K16

S1 S8

B3

Duty 9 Take responsibility for own continuous professional development (CPD) by keeping up to date with technological developments

K11 K12 K15

S7

Duty 10 Document actions to ensure a clear audit trail and progression of issues

K5 K14

S5 S6 S11

B4

Option duties

Digital Applications Technician (DAT) duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 11 Take appropriate action when application problems are identified

K17

S13

B1 B3

Duty 12 Support application users, advising on how to optimise productivity

K17 K18 K20

S12 S15

B2

Duty 13 Provide application training to users as required

K17 K19 K21

S14

B1 B4

Duty 14 Source information to support, advise or guide as appropriate to the audience

K17 K18 K19 K21

S14 S15

B3 B4

Digital Service Technician (DST) duties

Duty KSBs

Duty 15 Determine the root cause of technical issues to identify the potential solutions

K22 K25

S17

B1 B3

Duty 16 Take appropriate action when technical problems are identified

K22 K25 K26

S17 S19

B2

Duty 17 Configure a range of digital devices or systems to meet user needs

K23 K24

S18

B1 B4

Duty 18 Communicate technical concepts or solutions using appropriate language for the audience

K24 K25 K26

S16 S19

B3 B4

KSBs

Knowledge

K1: digital office automation technologies; • how to use them to create, update, edit, manage, and present data• the organisation’s use of templates and their best working practice• how these tools can be used to collaborate with others Back to Duty

K2: types of digital architecture and how it relates to their organisation;• physical storage versus cloud• role of operating systems and servers Back to Duty

K3: the importance of backing up data securely and the technologies that support it. Back to Duty

K4: the principles, processes and procedures for the secure handling of data in compliance with legislation. Back to Duty

K5: the concepts and fundamentals of data;· searching, storing, integrating, and organising data·  how organisations use various types of data·  the key features and functions of information systems·         data formats and their importance for analysis·  data entry and maintenance Back to Duty

K6: the key principles and processes for diagnosing stakeholder’s digital problems. Back to Duty

K7: principles of a helpdesk system, including accessing and maintaining stakeholder information and the contribution of helpdesk system to the organisations performance and customer service. Back to Duty

K8: approaches to risk mitigation for data loss including confidentiality, integrity and availability Back to Duty

K9: significance of an organisation’s digital presence;·         how this is maintained and what products are used·         how the brand is represented and safeguarded Back to Duty

K10: approaches to a range of communication channels and how to adapt to different audiences and situations. Back to Duty

K11: the principles and constraints of searching the internet and accessing information securely • Currency- Relevance- Authority- Accuracy- Purpose Back to Duty

K12: approaches to planning and organising own learning activities to maintain and develop digital skills (CPD). Back to Duty

K13: approaches to effective time management and prioritisation Back to Duty

K14: principles of continuous improvement within the context of the application and use of digital technologies and the benefits Back to Duty

K15: current and emerging digital technologies and the possible implications for work on a support desk including the impacts of digital technologies for climate change, sustainability and moving to net carbon zero Back to Duty

K16: approaches to assessing the impact of their actions on other stakeholders within a support desk environment Back to Duty

K17: principles of productivity software applications used to create, update, edit, manage, and present data and information including how to support stakeholders in their use. Back to Duty

K18: the features and benefits of digital information systems and how these are used to maintain application support. Back to Duty

K19: working practices for the productive use and administration of stakeholder’s applications. Back to Duty

K20: organisational approaches to incorporating different digital applications across business functions and the implications for their stakeholders. Back to Duty

K21: approaches to the training and support of stakeholders to make the best use of the organisation’s applications. Back to Duty

K22: the components of databases and their use Back to Duty

K23: approaches to stakeholder system configurations and how this impacts on providing technical support Back to Duty

K24: the importance and security implications of updating and maintaining stakeholders systems. Back to Duty

K25: approaches to minimising and communicating the impact of required technical procedures. Back to Duty

K26: approaches to the training and support of stakeholders to make the best use of the organisation’s digital systems. Back to Duty

Skills

S1: use digital technologies, including collaborative tools, to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice. Back to Duty

S2: use data accurately and securely to meet business requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation. Back to Duty

S3: apply information security principles, for example: information transfer, deletion, storage, usage and communications that may include using mobile devices. Back to Duty

S4: provide an appropriate and effective response to enquiries, providing support and information utilising digital channels and in line with organisation protocols Back to Duty

S5: operate digital information systems, for example• Management- Finance Human Resources• Bespoke departmental or organisational systems or databases Back to Duty

S6: communicate effectively through a variety of different channels using terminology appropriate to the audience Back to Duty

S7: use digital resources to extend own knowledge and skills relevant to their role Back to Duty

S8: risk assess the organisational impact of decisions that they take Back to Duty

S9: use digital systems to identify productivity and performance improvements Back to Duty

S10: use digital technologies to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice Back to Duty

S11: maintain system security in line with organisational policies. Back to Duty

S12: support digital operations or digital change and transformation activities. Back to Duty

S13: investigate application problems and enable resolution to maintain productivity and improve quality of service. Back to Duty

S14: coach and guide stakeholders to develop their applications skills to use digital systems effectively. Back to Duty

S15: monitor data to analyse systems use and provide insights to recommend use or applications developments. Back to Duty

S16: support customers in the use of information, products and services through digital channels. Back to Duty

S17: diagnoses technical problems by identifying and applying tools and techniques to undertake fault finding, recording and rectification. Back to Duty

S18: maintain end-user systems physically or remotely. For example: software, hardware or operating systems Back to Duty

S19: provide and direct end-users to tools and resources to help them to resolve their digital problems. Back to Duty

Behaviours

B1: work independently and take responsibility to maintain productive and professional working environment with secure working practices. Back to Duty

B2: use own initiative when implementing digital technologies and finding solutions to stakeholder’s problems. Back to Duty

B3: professional approach to dealing with stakeholder’s problems. Back to Duty

B4: self-motivated for example: takes responsibility to complete the job. Back to Duty

B5: takes a sustainable mindset towards digital support activities ensuring climate change and the move to net carbon zero by 2050 is a consideration Back to Duty

T Level in digital support services

Qualification type: T Level

Qualification level: 3

Awarding organisation: NCFE

Approval date: 17/12/2020

Available from: 01/09/2021

Occupational specialism: Digital support

Product page

Aligned occupational standards

ST0120 Digital support technician

Options: Digital Applications Technician (DAT) , Digital Service Technician (DST)

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