Description
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.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
- Investigative
Work Values
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Analytical Thinking
- Integrity
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Tasks
- Monitor and adjust operations of geothermal power plant equipment or systems.
- Prepare and maintain logs, reports, or other documentation of work performed.
- Identify and correct malfunctions of geothermal plant equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, or controls.
- Collect and record data associated with operating geothermal power plants or well fields.
- Determine whether emergency or auxiliary systems will be needed to keep properties heated or cooled in extreme weather conditions.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Technology Skills
- Electronic mail software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Spreadsheet software
- Geographic information system
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
- Perceptual Speed
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Troubleshooting
- Operation and Control
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Physics
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified GeoExchange DesignerCertifying Organization
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Accredited InstallerCertifying Organization
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Residential Geothermal DesignerCertifying Organization
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Vertical Closed Loop DrillerCertifying Organization
National Ground Water Association
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $35,270 |
| Median (50%) | $48,640 |
| High (90%) | $77,150 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | N/A |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 201,500 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 208,700 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 4%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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