• Read short text passages on product labels, e.g. read handling instructions on labels of hazardous goods, such as cleaning solutions. (1)
• Read text entries in forms, e.g. read comments on request-for-service forms to learn about malfunctions and upgrades to hardware and software. (2)
• Read logs, e.g. system administrators read logs to learn about network malfunctions. (2)
• Read memos and notices, e.g. read memos about activities, such as planned shutdowns of Internet servers so that they can prepare for these service interruptions. (2)
• Read email messages from co-workers, colleagues and suppliers, e.g. read co-workers' requests for information about accessing data and recovering deleted files. (2)
• Read articles, editorials and features in magazines, e-magazines and newsletters, e.g. read articles about data security trends in e-magazines, such as IT World Canada. (3)
• Read manuals, e.g. read equipment manuals to learn how to configure routers, modems and smart switches. (3)
• Read and interpret letters of understanding, agreements and contracts, e.g. computer network technicians read software licensing agreements to understand usage rights and restrictions. (4)
• May read lengthy audit reports, e.g. computer network supervisors may read consultants' reports for opinions on current equipment and proposed upgrades to systems. (4)

• Locate data on product and equipment labels, e.g. scan labels on electronic equipment to locate product codes, specifications and serial numbers. (1)
• Enter data into lists and tables, e.g. enter data into service logs about work performed. (2)
• Locate data in lists and tables, e.g. scan activity summary tables to locate performance data, such as bandwidth and memory usage, transfer speed, data packet size and latencies. (2)
• Locate data in assembly drawings, e.g. scan assembly drawings to locate parts and installation sequences for devices, such as drives and sound cards. (2)
• Locate data in graphs, e.g. analyze histograms to identify the most frequent reasons for trouble calls. (2)
• Locate data in forms, e.g. view work order requests for data on software and hardware malfunctions, maintenance requirements and special instructions. (3)
• Enter data into forms, e.g. enter names, dates, passwords and restriction and access codes into account application forms. (3)
• Locate and interpret data in schematics, e.g. locate and interpret architectural features and layouts, such as routing paths of routers and ports in network schematics. (3)

• Write short notes and reminders, e.g. write installation task descriptions in service log books and reminders to co-workers about performance tests that need to be done. (1)
• Write email messages, e.g. write email messages to suppliers to request information about new products and technical solutions to problems. (2)
• Write text entries in forms, e.g. write descriptions of malfunctioning networks and the steps taken to resolve them in incident report forms. (2)
• Write instructional guides, e.g. write guides to help inexperienced users install and update software. (3)
• May write reports, e.g. may write system audit reports in which they describe the quality of networks, web service and messaging systems and make recommendations for improvement. (4)

• May buy parts, supplies, tools and equipment using money from petty cash. (1)
• Compare counts and readings to standards and specifications, e.g. compare counts and readings to specifications in order to verify that network systems and computer workstations are working properly. (1)
• Calculate expense claim amounts, e.g. calculate charges for using personal vehicle by multiplying distance traveled by per kilometre rates and add amounts for meals, hotel rooms and incidentals. (2)
• Create schedules, timetables and timelines, e.g. develop schedules for data backups, software update runs, diagnostics testing and equipment maintenance. (2)
• Calculate quantities of network hardware and peripheral equipment, e.g. calculate quantities of cables, routers, switches, hubs and other materials needed for new installations and equipment updates. (2)
• Manage inventories of network hardware and software and data storage capacity, e.g. manage inventories of equipment, such as routers, cables, switches and hard drives. (2)
• Estimate time needed to perform job tasks, e.g. estimate time required for operations, such as software upgrades and data backup. (2)
• May calculate invoice amounts, e.g. network administrators calculate professional fees for services using hourly and daily rates. They add costs for supplies, apply discounts and taxes and calculate totals and sub-totals. (3)
• May calculate unit and net prices, e.g. calculate the prices of individual pieces of networking software and equipment offered in bundled packages. They calculate net prices for equipment after corporate discounts. (3)
• Calculate capacity requirements for computers and networks, e.g. calculate bandwidth requirements for networks to determine the quantities, sizes and types of cables, routers, switches and hubs required. (3)
• Collect data and develop statistics to describe the performance of computers and networks, e.g. analyze data on input and output operations to identify changes in the usage and performance of mainframes and network systems. (3)
• May create operational budgets, e.g. network and system administrators calculate operating costs for networking, messaging and website systems. They consider costs for staffing, overhead, supplies, goods, services and special projects. (4)

• Discuss ongoing work with co-workers and suppliers, e.g. discuss procedures for switching server systems during scheduled maintenance operations. (2)
• Answer questions and give instructions to computer and network users, e.g. answer questions from users about changing access codes and recovering deleted files. (2)
• Discuss the technical aspects of computers and networks with co-workers, colleagues, suppliers and network and computer users, e.g. discuss malfunctions of networking hardware and software with co-workers and give instructions for repairs. (3)
• Make presentations to managers, management committees, boards of directors and colleagues, e.g. present plans for proposed website architecture to managers and management committees. (3)
• May give instructions to workers they supervise, e.g. computer network supervisors give instructions to carry out recovery operations and system shutdowns. (3)

• Lack supplies for maintenance and upgrade activities, e.g. find that they do not have enough cables to set up new workstations. They contact alternate suppliers and create temporary set-ups to run workstations until the correct cables arrive. (2)
• Find that they are unable to maintain efficient network operations because co-workers and users are not following security, storage and backup procedures. They send out memos about the risks of such activities, implement additional security controls and speak to the individuals involved. (2)
• Discover that the physical worksite does not match the layout shown in drawings. They advise customers and supervisors of the problem and complete other work until the needed drawings are available. (2)
• Choose to replace hardware and upgrade software, e.g. choose to upgrade security monitoring and containment software when their computers and systems fail to detect viruses during test runs. (2)
• Make purchasing decisions, e.g. purchase supplies, such as cables and compact disks and small equipment, such as routers and switches. They seek approvals for purchases of larger, more expensive equipment. (2)
• May select job tasks and duty assignments for staff they supervise, e.g. assign customer service activities to technicians who are comfortable giving instructions and answering questions. They consider the complexity of job tasks and the skill and training required by workers. (2)
• May evaluate the work performance of others, e.g. network and system administrators assess workers' technical skills by observing them as they carry out job tasks, inspecting the quality of their work and monitoring their productivity. (2)
• Find information about networks, e.g. computer network technicians find information about network activity in documents, such as performance and error logs, virus scan reports and mainframe analysis and defragmentation reports. (2)
• May select network and computer applications, e.g. select applications, such as security monitoring software, to meet the evolving security and resource sharing requirements of organizations. (3)
• Choose configurations for computers and networks, e.g. select the configuration of local and wide area networks to meet operational and business requirements. (3)
• Assess the suitability of network hardware and software, e.g. assess the suitability of exchange server software. They review data on compatibility with other software programs, adaptability to specific business needs and capability to block spam and manage mail. (3)
• Assess the functionality of networks, e.g. evaluate the functionality of business intranets. They examine security and performance data to identify transfer rates, incidence of error and failure readings and number of unplanned shutdowns. They use their assessments to make recommendations for changes to enhance performance. (3)
• Sequence their own job tasks. They integrate their activities with co-workers and colleagues to carry out job tasks, such as data recovery and the installation of software and hardware. They plan for a variety of activities, such as monitoring, testing and upgrading networks, supporting network users and responding to their questions. They reschedule job tasks to accommodate emergency troubleshooting of system failures. (3)
• Find information about networking equipment and software. They review trade publications, white papers and suppliers' websites. They participate in online technical support forums and consult other network technicians, software and hardware specialists and consultants. (3)

• May use electronic office equipment, such as printers, scanners, fax machines and copiers. (1)
• Use presentation software to create slide presentations. They insert and format text, tables, charts, pictures and diagrams. (2)
• May use bookkeeping, billing and accounting software to track costs and produce invoices. (2)
• Use communication software to exchange email and attachments with co-workers, colleagues, network users and suppliers. (2)
• Use communication software to manage distribution lists and schedule meetings. (2)
• Use the Internet to locate information about network software and hardware set-ups. (2)
• Use the Internet to visit software developers' and technical support websites. (2)
• Use the Internet to access blogs and web forums where they seek and offer advice about industry and product trends. (2)
• Use the Internet to access articles to stay current on industry trends and practices. (2)
• Use the Internet to access blogs and web forums where they seek and offer troubleshooting and other technical advice. (2)
• Use the Internet to access training courses and seminars offered by suppliers, employers and trade schools. (2)
• Use advanced features of word processing software to write, edit and format a variety of documents. (3)
• Create and modify spreadsheets to organize data on network performance and usage. They use macros, insert calculation functions, merge cells, import and export data and create graphs. (3)
• Use cloud technology to share, transfer and backup data on remote networks. (3)
• Use the Internet and intranets to make changes and complete repairs to software remotely. (3)
• May use advanced features of project management applications to record activities, assign tasks to workers, schedule activities, balance workloads and print reports. (3)
• Use specialized software to monitor the performance of networks and to manage security, network transfers, connectivity and data protection and recovery. (4)
• Use operating system software to manage network users' accounts and to establish access rights for group folders. (4)
• Use software to configure a variety of computer and network peripheral hardware. (4)
• Use advanced technical skills to create and modify databases that manage data on network computers. (5)
• Install and configure operating systems to create networks. (5)

Computer network technicians coordinate and integrate job tasks with co-workers, such as programmers, technical support staff, system analysts, other network and web technicians and supervisors.

Continuous learning is critical for computer network technicians as information technologies are constantly changing. They need to maintain current knowledge of networking applications and security practices. They are expected to identify and manage their own learning needs. They learn through daily activities, from discussions with colleagues and co-workers and by reading. They may attend professional conferences, seminars and web-based seminars.

All essential skills are affected by the introduction of technology in the workplace. Computer network technicians' ability to adapt to new technologies is strongly related to their skill levels across the essential skills, including reading, writing, thinking and communication skills. Technologies are transforming the ways in which workers obtain, process and communicate information, and the types of skills needed to perform in their jobs. In particular, computer network technicians need enhanced digital skills to manage rapidly changing computer technologies. For instance, workers need the hardware and system skills to design, set-up, maintain or repair computer systems. They also require the necessary skills to install new software, replace existing hardware and configure operating systems to create networks. New developments in network technology require these workers to continually enhance their skills in order to keep current.

Technology in the workplace further affects the complexity of tasks related to the essential skills required for this occupation. Computer network technicians need the skills to use increasingly complex and specialized software applications. For example, workers use operating system software to manage network users' accounts and to establish access rights for group folders. They also use cloud technology to share, transfer and backup data on remote networks. On the other hand, using databases and the Internet can make locating information easier for workers, just as using specialized software applications that input data automatically can help workers complete documents with speed and accuracy.