Tech Computer Center User Consultant Handbook

The User Consultant (UC) job is primarily one of helping people get their work done. This is usually done by providing information about the resources at the TCC. Please keep in mind that a distinction always needs to be made between giving a person what they need to do their work and doing their work for them. While we are here to help people get their work done we are not here to do it for them.

Some other aspects of the job include:

Most of a UC's time is spent at the Help Desk or in the various TCC user areas (helping people use the TCC).   In addition to this, plan on spending about thirty minutes every few weeks in the UC meeting (attendance is mandatory).   The remainder of the time is given to office hours for tickets (which don't lend themselves to being done at the Help Desk), projects, and whatever other tasks you may be assigned by the Manager of User Services.   Be sure you have a "project ticket" filed for each project you're involved with.

Since you will be closely involved with the people who actually use the system, and work in our user areas, you are well qualified to report problems with the TCC systems, or operations.   You are expected to resolve these problems when possible (when that is not possible file a ticket and assign it to the appropriate person or, as a last resort, group).   You are also expected to provide feedback aimed at improving the work atmosphere of the user areas.   On a broader basis you will work with members of the TCC staff to improve the academic computing environment at Tech as a whole.

Aside from helping people use our systems and reporting problems with our systems there will be various miscellaneous duties (like conducting tours, or moving equipment).