Geothermal Production Managers

Geothermal production managers oversee work at geothermal power plants.

Geothermal production managers spend a lot of time inspecting installations of new geothermal systems. They make sure the work follows the plan, schedule, and budget. They inspect completed work and solve problems.

Geothermal Production Managers are in the Architecture and Construction career cluster and the Maintenance and Operations pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wage information is not available specifically for geothermal production managers. However, they are part of the larger group of "Industrial production managers."


Salaries vary greatly by employer and plant size. In addition to salary, geothermal production managers may receive bonuses for good job performance.

Geothermal production managers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Industrial Production Managers

 

Employment

Major employers:

• Utility companies
• Local, state, and federal government-sponsored power plants

Outlook

The state of the economy will slow the demand for these workers in the near future. However, some growth will occur due to the increase in demand for the manufacture of green goods. Opportunities will be best for those with a degree in engineering or business.

Employment Outlook for Industrial Production Managers

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	150,300	164,000	13,700	9.1%
Minnesota	4,619	5,275	656	14.2%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	464	547	83	17.9%
Northeast Minnesota	141	165	24	17%
Northwest Minnesota	288	364	76	26.4%
Southeast Minnesota	389	450	61	15.7%
Southwest Minnesota	364	423	59	16.2%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	2,958	3,301	343	11.6%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Geothermal production managers oversee work at geothermal power plants. They maintain and monitor geothermal equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.


In Iceland, a country located right on top -- literally -- of a lot of volcanic activity, the use of geothermal energy is extensive. In fact, nearly 90% of Icelandic citizens use geothermal energy to heat their homes. Since geothermal energy is renewable, it is expected that much of the world will try to follow Iceland's example.Building geothermal energy systems takes many steps. Workers must dig deep trenches and wells. They install pipes, pumps, and controls. While technicians perform much of the work, production managers oversee operations and employees.

These managers spend a lot of time inspecting installations of new geothermal systems. This means they travel to different work sites. They make sure work follows the plan, the schedule, and the budget. They inspect completed work and solve problems. For example, they prevent hot water from corroding pipes and other equipment.

Once a system is completed, managers oversee daily work at the power plant and off-site locations. They monitor the systems' performance and examine all the maintenance and repair records. This includes daily logs and other reports. They ensure the plant meets safety and environmental impact standards. To maintain efficiency, they check equipment and procedures.

Managers develop budgets, timelines, and schedules. Once they secure funding, managers must negotiate with landowners, utilities, and local government officials. Whether they plan to install a new system, or change an older one, geothermal production managers obtain the necessary permits. They must also write and update reports to show the power plant complies with rules and regulations.

Geothermal production managers supervise and communicate with technicians and power plant employees. They offer technical assistance where needed. In some cases, they perform or demonstrate minor repairs themselves.

Managers must also keep records and files for large-scale projects and for daily operations.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Supervise employees in geothermal power plants or well fields.
• Oversee geothermal plant operations, including maintenance, repairs, and compliance with regulations.
• Prepare permit applications or compliance reports.
• Negotiate agreements with other utilities.
• Communicate changes in rules or procedures to employees.
• Identify and evaluate equipment. Look for inefficiencies and ways to improve.
• Perform or direct others to perform preventative maintenance on plant equipment.
• Develop and manage operational budgets.
• Obtain permits for construction and upgrades.
• Develop operating plans and schedules.
• Record, review, and maintain logs, reports, and other records.
• Conduct well field site assessments.
• Identify ways to improve employee performance.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Schedule work and activities.
• Use computers.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Develop and build teams.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.
• Monitor and control resources.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Process information.
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people.
• Communicate with people from outside the organization.
• Guide, direct, and motivate subordinates.
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials.
• Teach others.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction throughout their work day.
• Communicate with people daily by telephone, e-mail, and in person.
• Are extremely responsible for the work done by other workers.
• Write letters and memos on a weekly basis.
• Are extremely responsible for the health and safety of customers and other workers.
• Work as part of a project team.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations.

Physical Work Conditions

• Work both indoors and outdoors.
• Frequently wear protective or safety attire, such as hard hats or goggles.
• Are often exposed to loud sounds or distracting noise levels.
• Are sometimes exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on weather and location.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Sometimes must work in hazardous conditions or with hazardous equipment.
• Regularly travel to work sites in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck or van.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact or accurate when performing the job. Errors could significantly impact customers and the effectiveness of heating or cooling systems.
• Rarely consult a superior before making a decision or setting tasks and goals.
• Meet strict daily and weekly deadlines. This makes the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Make decisions daily that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Repeat the same physical or mental tasks throughout the day.
• Sometimes must match the pace of work to the speed of equipment.

Hours/Travel

• Work more than 40 hours during a regular business week.
• May work weekends or evenings to meet project deadlines.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a geothermal production manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• have at least a two-year degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Geothermal production managers usually have an associate or bachelor's degree and related work experience. However, because of the specialized nature of this job, ideal candidates have a bachelor's degree in engineering or business. A bachelor's degree in engineering and a master's degree in business administration (MBA) is good preparation for this occupation.

Work experience

In general, employers prefer to hire people who have several years of experience in the heating and cooling industry. It helps if some of your time is spent as a supervisor.

On-the-job training

Many employers offer training specific to geothermal energy as well as the company's products and policies. The length of training varies by employer.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Industrial Engineering
• Engineering/Industrial Management
• Business/Commerce, General
• Business Administration and Management, General
• Logistics and Materials Management
• Operations Management and Supervision

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Business Management and Administration
• Engineering, General
• Operations Management

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Business
• Keyboarding
• Manufacturing Systems

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines when arranging items.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Determine how a system should work. Study how changes in conditions affect outcomes.
• Identify ways to measure and improve system performance.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas or original and creative ways to solve problems.

Use Math and Science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Decide how to spend money to get the work done and keep track of how the money was used.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Teach self or others how to do something, using several methods.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.

Work with Things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Test and inspect products, services, or processes. Evaluate quality or performance.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.

Perceive and Visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Mechanical: Knowledge of designing, using, and repairing machines and tools.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.
• Production and Processing: Knowledge of how products are made and supplied.
• Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of protecting people, data, and property.
• Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
• Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of how to build machines, buildings, and other things. Also includes knowledge of how to use computers, machines, and tools to do work more usefully.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of the department that is in charge of the relationship between a company and its employees. In particular, includes knowledge of the activities performed by the department.
• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• Physics: Knowledge of the features and rules of matter and energy. Areas of knowledge include air, water, light, heat, weather, and other natural events.
• Design: Knowledge of making and using plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Chemistry: Knowledge of the properties of substances and the changes that occur when they interact.
• Clerical: Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information.
• Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of computer hardware and software.
• Law, Government, and Jurisprudence: Knowledge of laws, rules, court procedures, and the political process.
• Building and Construction: Knowledge of constructing buildings and other structures.
• Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of producing, supplying, and using goods and services. Also includes knowledge of the methods for keeping business records.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
• Have investigative interests. They like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking. They like to search for facts and figure out solutions to problems mentally.
• Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Licensing / Certification

For information about hazardous material training in Minnesota, contact:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
Phone: 651.296.6300 or 800.657.3864
http://www.pca.state.mn.us

Typically, workers who install, test, and maintain electrical systems are required to have an electrician's license. Check with your state for information about local licensing requirements.

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 45 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

Click on occupations listed below to find State of Minnesota licensing information.

Wholesale Food Handler Licenses
Wholesale Food Processor or Manufacturer Licenses

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

Employers look for applicants with several years of experience in this field or in heating and cooling. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or business are highly desired.

Employers prefer to hire geothermal production managers who are creative and analytical. They look for people who can solve problems and work with abstract ideas. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work as part of a team. Employers also prefer geothermal production managers who have strong computer skills.

Advancement Opportunities

This is not an entry level job. Geothermal production managers serve in mid to top management positions. Advancement often comes through higher pay or increased responsibility. Managers may also advance to director or corporate positions, depending on the company. Geothermal production managers advance to these positions by showing strong leadership and management abilities. Their projects are completed on time and on budget.

Job Title Examples

Operations Manager,  Plant Supervisor,  Power Plant Operations Manager,  Maintenance Manager,  Operations Supervisor,  Plant Manager,  Site Manager 

Similar Careers

Below are careers similar to Geothermal Production Managers you may be interested in reading about. If you are looking to broaden your job search, these careers require similar skills. Click on the names to link to their career profile.

Construction and Building Inspectors
General and Operations Managers
Geothermal Technicians
Industrial Production Managers
Power Plant Operators

Related Industries

Below are industries related to Geothermal Production Managers you may be interested in reading about. Employers in these industries typically hire Geothermal Production Managers. Click on the names to link to their industry profile.

Utilities

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.