Occupation · SOC 11-3051.02
Geothermal Production Managers
Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.
Median wage
$121,440
$74,900–$197,310
Projected growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
460
per year
Employed (US)
234,380
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,214 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationWritingTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringMathematicsManagement of Financial ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesPersuasionNegotiationTroubleshootingService OrientationOperation and ControlRepairingEquipment MaintenanceScienceEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyEnglish LanguagePersonnel and Human ResourcesEducation and TrainingPhysicsDesignChemistryAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingPsychologyCustomer and Personal ServiceTelecommunicationsTransportationCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingBiologySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyGeographyMedicine and DentistrySales and MarketingForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Data logging softwareInfostat RIMBaseMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordPersonnel scheduling software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGetting InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDeveloping and Building TeamsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationThinking CreativelyAnalyzing Data or InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving Objects
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Geothermal plant equipment and basic instrumentation — identify and describe functions under direct supervisor guidance during initial site orientation.Standard operating procedures and safety regulations — read and follow in a geothermal plant environment with close oversight from experienced personnel.Plant operating conditions and equipment status — observe and record data accurately using established logs and spreadsheet software.Routine inspection checklists for well fields and plant systems — complete under supervision to verify basic equipment operation.Preventative maintenance schedules — assist in executing predefined tasks on geothermal plant equipment under direction of a senior technician or manager.Plant status updates and procedural instructions — receive and relay to coworkers using clear verbal communication on the plant floor.Basic corrosion indicators on plant piping and components — recognize and report to supervisory staff during routine walkthroughs.Equipment inefficiency symptoms such as pressure drops or temperature anomalies — identify and flag using established monitoring protocols.Personnel scheduling and shift handover documentation — support using calendar and scheduling software under managerial direction.Office suite and email software — use to draft basic reports and communicate routine plant observations to supervisors.
developing
Geothermal plant employees and field technicians — supervise during routine shifts, providing clear direction and coordinating daily task assignments.Compliance requirements and applicable environmental standards — interpret technical documents and apply them to geothermal plant operations with moderate oversight.Plant operating data and performance metrics — monitor using database query tools and spreadsheet software to identify emerging trends or deviations.Preventative maintenance tasks on turbines, pumps, and heat exchangers — perform or direct with reduced supervision, following established maintenance schedules.Injection well field inspections — conduct independently, verifying equipment operation and documenting findings using standardized reporting formats.Equipment inefficiencies and procedural gaps in plant systems — evaluate using deductive reasoning and recommend corrective actions to plant management.Plant condition reports and operational updates — communicate clearly to employees and stakeholders through written memos and verbal briefings.Corrosion control measures on geothermal piping systems — implement selected mitigation strategies under general guidance from senior management.Departmental budget expenditures for routine maintenance and supplies — track and reconcile using spreadsheet software against approved operational budgets.Time-sensitive maintenance priorities across multiple plant systems — manage using scheduling software to minimize downtime and maintain regulatory compliance.
proficient
Full geothermal plant operations including production wells and injection systems — oversee autonomously to ensure continuous, regulation-compliant performance.Complex equipment failures, corrosion events, and non-routine system anomalies — diagnose using inductive and deductive reasoning and lead corrective action plans.Geothermal plant employees across multiple functional roles — manage personnel resources independently, resolving conflicts and optimizing team performance.Preventative and corrective maintenance programs for all major plant systems — design, schedule, and direct to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned outages.Corrosion control and mitigation systems — select and implement appropriate chemical or mechanical solutions based on plant chemistry and engineering assessments.Operational budgets for geothermal plant functions — develop and manage, balancing cost control with safety and production efficiency goals.Regulatory audits, compliance inspections, and public safety reporting — lead preparation and response, representing plant operations to regulatory authorities.Systems evaluation of integrated geothermal production workflows — perform end-to-end analysis to identify inefficiencies and drive measurable performance improvements.Technical reports, maintenance records, and operational analyses — author with precision using word processing and database tools for management and regulatory review.Cross-functional coordination between operations, maintenance, and engineering teams — facilitate to resolve high-priority plant issues and implement lasting operational improvements.
advanced
Geothermal production strategy and long-range operational planning — develop and direct at the organizational level, aligning plant goals with business and regulatory priorities.Organization-wide safety, compliance, and environmental stewardship standards — establish, enforce, and continuously improve across multiple geothermal plant sites or portfolios.Senior production managers, supervisors, and technical specialists — mentor and develop, building organizational capability and succession depth within geothermal operations.Capital budgets and multi-year investment plans for geothermal infrastructure — develop and present to executive leadership, justifying priorities based on operational data and risk analysis.Enterprise-level corrosion management and asset integrity programs — design and institutionalize across all plant systems, leveraging chemistry and engineering expertise.Geothermal plant performance benchmarking and systems evaluation frameworks — create and apply organization-wide to drive continuous improvement and competitive efficiency.Critical operational and safety decisions during plant emergencies or regulatory crises — lead with authority, coordinating internal teams and external agencies to protect assets and personnel.Learning strategies and training curricula for geothermal plant personnel — design and implement at organizational scale to accelerate workforce competency development.Interorganizational partnerships with regulators, equipment vendors, and research institutions — cultivate and manage to advance plant technology adoption and regulatory alignment.Organizational knowledge management systems for geothermal operations data, maintenance history, and best practices — establish and govern to support evidence-based decision making enterprise-wide.
Also known as
13 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Decommissioning Well Site ManagerGeothermal Operations ManagerGeothermal Plant ManagerGeothermal Product ManagerGeothermal Production ManagerIndustrial Production ManagerMitigation SupervisorPlant ManagerPlant Operations CoordinatorPlant SuperintendentPlant SupervisorPower Plant Operations ManagerProduction Control Manager