Geothermal Technicians
Perform technical activities at power plants or individual installations necessary for the generation of power from geothermal energy sources. Monitor and control operating activities at geothermal power generation facilities and perform maintenance and repairs as necessary. Install, test, and maintain residential and commercial geothermal heat pumps.
Sample of reported job titles:
Geothermal Service Technician, I and C Technician (Instrument and Controls Technician), I and E Technician (Instrumentation and Electrical Technician), I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician), Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Operations Technician, Operator Technician, Plant Electrical Technician, Plant Mechanic, Plant Technician
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Install, maintain, or repair ground or water source-coupled heat pumps to heat and cool residential or commercial building air or water.
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
- Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:ClimateMaster GeoDesigner,Geothermal Properties Measurement Tool,Thermal Dynamics Ground Loop Design GLD,WaterFurnace International Ground Loop Design PREMIER
- Computer aided design CAD software:Autodesk AutoCAD
- Electronic mail software:Email software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software:SAP business and customer relations management software
- Industrial control software:Distributed control system DCS
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
Detailed Work Activities
- Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
- Calibrate equipment to specifications.
- Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.
- Develop equipment or component configurations.
Work Context
- Face-to-Face Discussions:96% responded"Every day"
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions:90% responded"Every day"
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:84% responded"Every day"
- Outdoors, Exposed to Weather:83% responded"Every day"
- Telephone:82% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Troubleshooting:Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Operation and Control:Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Knowledge
- Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Physics:Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
- Education and Training:Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Public Safety and Security:Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 66%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 20%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 12%Some College Courses
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Perceptual Speed:The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness:The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Interests
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Support:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Get yourself a new skill
In this Path
Track1
Analytical Skills
Track2
Microsoft Office Set
Microsoft Excel
This course is designed to take you from Zero to Hero on Excel, and make your accounting job and req...
Read moreFiltered AI
Microsoft Word
Word is not just for writing plain text; and this is why this course is here to guide you through ev...
Read moreIntellezy Learning