Surveillance technicians are those who set up and maintain the cameras that record activities. These individuals must have excellent manual dexterity and enjoy solving difficult problems. A person interested in becoming a surveillance technician should consider completing two years of training after high school. He or she should also get hands-on field experience in a real-world setting and pursue a license in this field, which will broaden his or her job prospects.
A person interested in becoming a surveillance technician can enroll in a two-year associate degree program in electrical engineering or electronics. Although some employers only require a job candidate to complete high school-level training in order to work in this field, a college degree will increase his or her marketability. In order to enroll in a college training program, you must first submit your high school diploma or equivalent certification, as well as your most recent standardized test scores. You should also be prepared to submit your high school transcript and complete the admissions application for the school of your choice.
Completing electrical courses will help you succeed in this field. You must learn how to set up electrical systems and how circuits work. If you want to work as a surveillance technician, you’ll need this because you’ll be responsible for replacing surveillance systems that aren’t working properly as well as troubleshooting technical issues with industry devices. To effectively monitor sites and guard against crime, a technician must ensure that cameras are working properly.
Even if an internship is not required as part of your training program, it will provide you with valuable field experience. You can ask your college’s career services department to assist you in making contacts with local companies that are looking to hire surveillance technicians. Your goal as an intern should not only be to install surveillance equipment, but also to keep operational documents compliant with organizational and government rules. Your employer will also assign you the task of identifying suspicious activity detected by a video camera, as this information may be useful in court.
Before you can practice in this industry, officials in your area may require you to complete licensing requirements. Before you can work as a surveillance technician, you must first earn this credential by passing an exam, and keeping it requires you to attend continuing education classes. Receiving this type of certification shows hiring managers that an individual is knowledgeable in the field and is well-versed in the laws governing surveillance work.