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Geothermal Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Geothermal Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Geothermal Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Geothermal Technicians are to repair green energy equipment or systems, troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems, service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components, install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. In general, for the Geothermal Technicians, operation Monitoring, monitoring, troubleshooting, operation and Control and other 15 skills are required.
Geothermal Technicians Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Geothermal Technicians jobs. 65.75% of Geothermal Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 20.48% of Geothermal Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
65.75%
Post-Secondary Certificate
20.48%
Some College Courses
12.25%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1.52%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Geothermal Technicians

  • 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.
  • Calculate heat loss and heat gain factors for residential properties to determine heating and cooling required by installed geothermal systems.
  • Design and lay out geothermal heat systems according to property characteristics, heating and cooling requirements, piping and equipment requirements, applicable regulations, or other factors.
  • Determine the type of geothermal loop system most suitable to a specific property and its heating and cooling needs.
  • Dig trenches for system piping to appropriate depths and lay piping in trenches.
  • Prepare newly installed geothermal heat systems for operation by flushing, purging, or other actions.
  • Identify equipment options, such as compressors, and make appropriate selections.
  • Install and maintain geothermal system instrumentation or controls.
  • Maintain electrical switchgear, process controls, transmitters, gauges, and control equipment in accordance with geothermal plant procedures.
  • Maintain, calibrate, or repair plant instrumentation, control, and electronic devices in geothermal plants.
  • Perform pre- and post-installation pressure, flow, and related tests of vertical and horizontal geothermal loop piping.
  • Apply coatings or operate systems to mitigate corrosion of geothermal plant equipment or structures.
  • 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.
  • Install and maintain geothermal plant electrical protection equipment.
  • Integrate hot water heater systems with geothermal heat exchange systems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Repair green energy equipment or systems.
  • Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
  • Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
  • Install energy-efficient heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Pour materials into or on designated areas.
  • Develop equipment or component configurations.
  • Determine types of equipment, tools, or materials needed for jobs.
  • Install piping for installation or maintenance activities.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Maintain work equipment or machinery.
  • Repair electronic equipment.
  • Calibrate equipment to specifications.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Apply protective coverings to objects or surfaces near work areas.
  • Document operational activities.
  • Move large objects using heavy equipment.
  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
  • Operate welding equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Geothermal Technicians

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe 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 SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Time SharingThe ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Pipe wrenchese.g. Adjustable pipe wrenches
  • Air samplers or collectorse.g. Air monitoring equipment
  • Pneumatic impact wrenchese.g. Air wrenches
  • Pipe visese.g. Alignment clamps
  • Flash butt welding machinee.g. Butt fusion machines
  • Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
  • Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
  • Coiled tubing unitse.g. Coil tubing units
  • Deburring toole.g. Deburring tools
  • Logging instruments for water wellse.g. Depth meters
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Plaster or mortar mixerse.g. Grout mixers
  • Grouting pumpe.g. Grout pumps
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Power sawse.g. Pavement saws
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Screwdriverse.g. Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pipe or tube cuttere.g. Pipe cutters
  • Pipe bending toolse.g. Pipe squeeze off tools
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • PhysicsKnowledge 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 TrainingKnowledge 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 SecurityKnowledge 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.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • TelecommunicationsKnowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.