Operator (profession)

For other uses, see operator (disambiguation).

An operator is a professional designation used in various industries, including broadcasting (in television and radio), computing, power generation and transmission, customer service, physics, and construction. Operators are day-to-day end users of systems, that may or may not be mission-critical, but are typically managed and maintained by technicians or engineers. They might also work on a 24-hour rotating shift schedule.

Statue of a boom operator on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong.

Types of operators

Broadcasting

• Technical operator, transmission controller or broadcast operator:
  • Master control (MCR) operator
  • Production control room (PCR) operator
  • Transmission control room (TCR) operator
  • Video tape operator (VTO)
  • Certified Television Operator (CTO) by Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE)
  • Certified Radio Operator (CRO) operator - by (SBE)
• Studio technical operator (gallery operator):
  • Vision mixer operator - technical director (TD)
  • Sound and comms (talkback) studio operator

KC-135 Boom operator

• Camera operator
  • Jib (camera) operator
• Boom operator
• Dolly grip operator

Other

• Computer operator
• Network operations center (NOC) operator
• Crane operator
• Radio operator
• Satellite controller
• Switchboard operator
• Winch operator
• Nuclear power plant operator

Gallery

• 
  Operator of a stationary winch, launching a hang glider.
• 
  Telegraphone with operator