Crossword Genius

Technician a trooper shot (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operator

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'technician' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'a trooper shot' is the wordplay.
'shot' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'trooper'='atrooper'
'atrooper' with letters rearranged gives 'OPERATOR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operator that I've seen before include "Director or controlller of machinery" , "Person who runs a machine or a business" , "Mathematical symbol" , "Poor rate for a businessman" , "Manipulative type of person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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