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Career Exploration

Geothermal Technicians

Also called: I C and E Technician (Instrumentation, Control, and Electrical Technician), Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Operations Technician, Plant Technician

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.
On the job, you'll need:

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

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Initiative

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Analytical or scientific software

  • ClimateMaster GeoDesigner
  • WaterFurnace International Ground Loop Design PREMIER

Geographic information system

  • Geographic information system GIS systems

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $44,500

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.