An operator is a professional designation used in various industries, including broadcasting (in television and radio), computing, 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.[citation needed]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operator_%28profession%29