What Do Geothermal Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.

Other tasks include:

• Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
• Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
• Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
• Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
• Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.
• Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.

We asked Geothermal Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 52% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Geothermal Technicians prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed. They test water sources for factors such as flow volume and contaminant presence.

A typical day for a Geothermal Technician will also include:

• Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
• Operate equipment, such as excavators, backhoes, rock hammers, trench compactors, pavement saws, grout mixers or pumps, geothermal loop reels, and coil tubing units (CTU).
• Adjust power production systems to meet load and distribution demands.
• Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.
• Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.

We asked some Geothermal Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	74% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	49% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	70% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	43% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Geothermal Technicians also determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs. They may also integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Geothermal Technicians Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems. They might also Backfill piping trenches to protect pipes from damage.

In addition, they Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.

To some Geothermal Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Weld piping, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping, using techniques such as butt, socket, side-wall, and electro-fusion welding.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Geothermal Technician, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/green/geothermal_energy/geothermal_energy.htm

http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2012/winter/art02.pdf