Also called:
I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician); Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician); Operations Technician; Plant Technician
In the Air Force:
Aircrew Flight Equipment; Aircrew Flight Equipment Apprentice; Aircrew Flight Equipment Craftsman; Aircrew Flight Equipment Helper; Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman; Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent
In the Army:
Cavalry Scout; Combat Engineer; Construction Engineering Technician; Plumber; Shower and Laundry Specialist; Unit Supply Specialist; Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
Geothermal technicians help ensure that geothermal energy resources power up plants and buildings around the clock. They monitor gauges and dials on equipment, and perform maintenance and repairs. They also keep logs and write reports on energy production, and the work they perform. In residences and commercial buildings, technicians may install geothermal heat pumps and perform tests to ensure they run properly. Many technicians work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. They may operate excavation equipment such as backhoes, or dig trenches by hand, but either way, the work can be challenging and tiring. Following safety precautions is essential. Geothermal technicians typically work 40 hours or more in a week. Most technicians have a set schedule but it’s not uncommon for routines to change in response to production demands. A high school diploma or equivalent is the most common formal education for geothermal technicians, but many earn certificates or professional certifications related to the field, such as Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning, known as HVAC, or Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored certifications.
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
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.
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
physics
chemistry
Education and Training
teaching and course design
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
use rules to solve problems
Visual Understanding
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
see hidden patterns
Attention
pay attention to something without being distracted
do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Analytical Thinking
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Analytical or scientific software
ClimateMaster GeoDesigner
WaterFurnace International Ground Loop Design PREMIER
Geographic information system
Geographic information system GIS systems
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.
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