Overstepping my bounds??

[Not_a_Miracleworker]

I'm not sure if this should go here, or in the "Advice" section; if it needs to be moved, so be it.

My Bossman has approached me and (in a roundabout way) basically said he's deeming me our IT person (no, it wasn't a request).

I'm not too sure about this.

We're pretty much Mac exclusive at this paper, and I've only been working with Macs for about 5 years now. Any and all of the technical experience I have with them is based on the trial and error/experiences I've had during those 5 years. I am NOT a trained IT person in any sense of the term. I know the basics of how a computer runs, basic upkeep and maintenance, and I can probably identify most of the hardware on any computer. Software - all I know is what I've experienced, I don't know the integral workings of any of the software we work with.

My concern lies in the fact that Bossman is kind of pushing this on me because (sadly) I'm about the only technically inclined person in the office. I've flat out told him, all I know is what I know, and I'm not about to jump in and try to fix something I have no clue how to do. I'm not sure he quite understands what I'm getting at, and seems to think that I'm capable of handling our IT on my own. I can't. I'll gladly tell him who to contact to fix the problems I come across, but I am not about to get in over my head and start messing with things I have no knowledge of.

Basically my question is; has anyone had this happen before, and how should I handle it? I'm more than willing to do the basic stuff I know how to, I just don't think I can handle everything that's being asked of me.

HALP!!

[TheSHAD0W]

"This is beyond my pay grade. Does this mean I'm getting a raise?"

[Samaliel]

I feel there are two problems here:

1. Your skills level. From what you say, you don't feel your competent enough to be the acting IT person. You should make it crystal clear to your boss that, while you will be happy to help your co-workers with what you know out of common courtesy, your knowledge and experience as a "technically inclined person" should not be deemed an acceptable substitute for those of a properly trained technician.

2. The impact on your workload. You can not be expected to perform well as both a graphic designer and an acting IT person. Even if you are not overworked and can spare some time to help your co-workers with what you can, if you are oficially identified as "the office's IT person", I have a feeling one of your tasks will hinder the other. Which will result in a lot more work on your part, which would indeed be worthy of a raise.

All in all, should your boss decide not to hire or contract an actual IT technician, you would need a proper training and a pay raise before you could be considered as the actual in-house IT person.

[Geek King]

On the practical side, if you do end up having to work on an issue you're not familier with, Google is your friend. Searching on the operating system, program, and problem* will usually find you a couple of possible solutions. Remember, even the best tech out there doesn't know everything, and sometimes has to look for a solution.

*ie. "Mac Leopard printers dissappering" or "Macintosh OS10 Pagesetter layouts not zooming" --leave out the quotes

[Not_a_Miracleworker]

Thanks for your help everybody!!

Discussed things with the bossman. He now agrees that I should NOT be handling everything myself, and for now, I'm just doing a rough catalog of our equipment. *HUGE-SIGH-OF-RELIEF* I can do that.

So basically, for now all he needs is info to give to our HeadHoncho(tm) so we can ask for (much needed) equipment and upgrades.

No bonus $$ for now, but maybe later. We shall see how this pans out.

THANKS AGAIN!!