COMPU-HOME IS HIRING - May 2025
Applications are invited for the position described below. Please read all details carefully and do not waste your time and ours if you do not possess ALL of the qualifications described. We will contact references and offer interviews only to the candidates who submit a covering letter and résumé that lead us to believe they have the best potential of meeting our needs. Generic applications not addressing our specific information will not be considered.
COMPANY PROFILE - Compu-Home is a family business dedicated to providing its customers with thorough and friendly technology repair and assistance in their home or business, serving the Ottawa area for more than 25 years. We meet and beat our competitors by being prompt, economical and trustworthy. Most of our clients have been with us for many years and personal referrals are a primary source of new clients. We advertise our services throughout the City of Ottawa and Gatineau. Please see further information at www.compu-home.com.
This employee will often be the first contact with clients through telephone and email queries and, as such, will play an important role in creating and maintaining a positive, welcoming environment for clients.
DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION OFFERED -- HYBRID
First responsibility: Office Manager
The office manager duties will include:
: Telephone and email communication with clients and colleagues.
: Scheduling appointments and duties for self and colleagues.
: Maintaining organization of client hardware that is currently in the workshop.
: Tracking the progress of workshop projects.
: Double-checking weekly schedules to ensure that records (e.g. invoicing) are accurate and up to date.
: Ensuring that the work area is clean and organized.
Second Responsibility (when Office Manager duties allow): Technician
These duties will expand and become more complex with training and experience.
: Telephone and email diagnosis of client needs and suggestions of the ways Compu-Home can help in this case
: Repair and upgrading of client hardware in the workshop
: Remote Assistance appointments
: Pickup and delivery of client hardware to homes and offices.
ESSENTIAL BASIC REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
: A valid driver’s license and a reliable auto.
: An EXCELLENT level of written and spoken English.
: An ability to recognize quickly a new client’s level of understanding of technology and to be able to communicate with them with friendly understanding.
: This position will start at not less than 20 hours per week and progress as quickly as customer demand expands to not more than 40 hours. Hours per week may be adjusted from time to time as business demands make necessary.
INTRODUCTION INTO THE COMPU-HOME TEAM
The Employee will join the team at a learning level and advance in expectations and assignments when we both agree that they are ready.
There will be an introductory period during which the candidate’s suitability will be assessed by both sides and if there is agreement that the candidate successful, the position will be offered. The agreed salary will be paid during the introductory period.
FURTHER DETAILS AND GENERAL INFORMATION
: Compu-Home usually visits client premises by appointment and, when possible, deals with problems on site. Occasionally, however, it is necessary to bring the equipment to our workshop. We troubleshoot problems with that equipment and co-ordinates with the rest of the team as to the scheduling and completion of the necessary work, which often involves physically installing, maintaining, repairing, and providing protection and custody of hardware components, software and data, while constantly reporting progress to the client and the rest of the team.
: In recent years Compu-Home has also adopted a remote assistance service which can under some circumstances allow a quicker resolution of customer issues. This is another area where a clear, articulate, friendly and patient telephone manner is essential.
: We often visit client premises when necessary. For this reason, a driver's license and automobile are a requirement for the position.
: All employees provide technical advice and support to one another and freely request advice and support when necessary.
: We provide technical advice and guidance to customers on computer software and hardware use, features, limitations, configuration and risks to clients.
: We use our “Repair Shop’r” management software to create logs of repairs for individual computers and record time spent on each client's job.
: We Identify and prepare hardware for disposal when appropriate.
: We Identify abandoned computers that may be suitable for refurbishment and restore from cannibalized parts.
: We answer telephone calls and emails from clients and identify problems and then schedule a premises visit by a team member or, when appropriate, suggest that the client bring the equipment to the workshop . If it is obviously a suitable issue, we resolve it on the telephone and/or through use of Remote Assistance.
: We try when possible to ensure that time is most effectively spent, by scheduling of premises appointments in the same area of the city on any given day.
: We understand and agree that security of clients' equipment and data is of utmost importance to the Compu-Home reputation and will take the greatest care to ensure that data is never lost or equipment damaged as a result of being in our custody.
: We report immediately any error or omission that may have occurred, so that assistance can be given and corrective action can be taken in the most effective and non-judgmental manner that is possible under the circumstances.
: We willingly accept guidance and suggestions from other Compu-Home team members regarding all aspects of fulfilling the responsibilities of the position.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND ATTRIBUTES
Knowledge: The employee must have proficient knowledge in:
: Computer hardware and software systems and programs primarily in Microsoft Windows but also, ideally, with Macintosh. Ability to assist clients with Apple and Android tablets and Smartphones as well as smart TVs would be considered an asset.
: Computer peripherals like printers, scanners, and other hardware
: Computer networks, network administration and network installation (at the home or small-business level).
: Computer troubleshooting
: Computer viruses and security
: E-mail and Internet programs
(It is understood that although the employee is expected to arrive with a basic working knowledge of the above list, it is even more important that (s)he be willing and able to add to that knowledge with experience and training.)
Skills: The employee must demonstrate the following skills:
: Ability to install and administer computer hardware, software and networks
: Analytical and problem-solving skills
: Ability to research and recommend suitable purchase options to meet clients' needs
: Decision-making skills
: Very effective verbal and listening skills
: Ability to provide a professional, enthusiastic and helpful impression of Compu-Home and its staff on the telephone
: Stress management skills and time management skills
Personal Attributes: The Employee must:
: Arrive prepared to begin daily duties promptly at the agreed start time, which will sometimes vary according to client and scheduling requirements.
: Demonstrate an excellent and of articulate use of spoken and written English. (Also: Some of our team have a very basic ability to communicate in French but our business is conducted primarily in English. For a candidate to have the additional ability to communicate well in French would be considered an asset.)
: Be honest and trustworthy
: Be respectful and extremely patient
: Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity
: Be flexible
: Demonstrate sound work ethics
EMPLOYMENT WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY
The Employee will be provided with a work area in the Compu-Home workshop that provides a comfortable and quiet environment. Equipment and software will be provided as necessary. The employee is always encouraged to make suggestions regarding improvements to safety, equipment, software and procedures, and these suggestions may be implemented at the discretion of the Senior Technician/Manager.
The employee agrees that it is his or her responsibility to communicate as soon as possible with the Senior Technician/Manager or other members of the Compu-Home team if conditions arise pertaining to an unsafe condition, or that make him or her uncomfortable, or that interfere with carrying out the responsibilities of the position.
Current Police Check if requested (Compu-Home will reimburse the cost if we ask for it.)
Number of hours per week will be adjusted from time to time as business demands make necessary: Not fewer than 20 and not more than 40 unless with mutual agreement.
Drivers License and Automobile are a requirement, as discussed above.
Compu-Home Confidentiality Agreement All employees understand that a position with
Compu-Home will involve having access to some client information and that conversations with clients will often elicit still further information, of a business and/or personal nature. Such information will be treated with utmost discretion. All employees agree that under NO circumstances will such information ever be passed on, in writing, electronically or orally, to another person or organization.
All employees understand and agree that the information will not ever be used at present or in the future for other any purposes outside the Compu-Home business. "Moonlighting" with Compu-Home clients is forbidden under any circumstances.
All employees will take precautions that client information will be kept safe. Access to Compu-Home data, including client information mentioned above and also the URL, username and password of the Compu-Home Scheduler software, will never be shared outside Compu-Home. New clients must always be told that their information will be entered into our records.
At this time, with the COVID-19 epidemic still in a very uncertain state, there may be modifications to our business practices to ensure the safety of employees and clients. The prospective employee must be prepared to be very flexible in this regard but may be assured that they will not be required to do something that causes them concern for their personal safety. All COVID-19 vaccinations to the level offered currently are required.
Flexibility in hours and days of duty will be necessary. (Refer to "Knowledge Skills and Attributes" in Job Description above.)
Salary: Hourly
Starting Rate of Pay: $21.00 per hour
Application Documents Required: Résumé describing qualifications and experience + Cover Letter (see below). Be prepared to provide professional references if asked.
Additional Application Information
Include a personalized covering letter that demonstrates clearly and specifically that you have consulted the www.compu-home.com website and understand the Compu-Home business. Describe specifics of what you can contribute to the business and what you hope to learn from this experience that will further your progress as an effective professional in the field of technology. Generic "form letters" that do not relate to this specific position are not helpful and may result in the application not being considered.
Number of Positions: 1
Send Résumé and Cover Letter to compuhome.employment@gmail.com
Compu-Home thanks in advance all applicants and will reply only to those whom we believe have the best potential to meet our needs.