Engineer III-IV, Reservoir Engineer

Engineer III-IV, Reservoir Engineer

Middletown, CA

Salary Range: $126,339.00 – $196,186.00 (USD) Annually

Final Filing Date:

Continuous until filled. NCPA reserves the right to close this posting once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Summary

Under general direction of the Geothermal Facilities Plant Manager performs geothermal steam field reservoir engineering tasks related to plant reliability and performance efficiency. Tasks involve project management, the collection, processing and interpretation of production, thermodynamic, geologic and geophysical data necessary to recommend actions to maximize steam production and plant generation. Typical actions include: 1) estimating forward projection of steam supplies and generation of the geothermal field; 2) evaluating the effects of injection within the field and making injection recommendations based on the available tracer, MEQ, and reservoir data; 3) recommending pipeline and control system design changes necessary to increase system operating efficiencies; and 4) reducing operating expenses in conjunction with the business unit goals and budget. Develops and uses databases to perform analysis of plant generation and production including predictions of reservoir reserves, forward projections for generation and production, and impact analysis of future projects both within the existing site and the analysis of any investment possibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1.        Assists in the preparation of engineering solutions for problems related to production, generation and transmission.

2.        Communicates with staff, management, technical committees, commission, and regulators through memos, meetings, and reports

3.        Assist in making injection recommendations to maximize the recovery of injection-derived steam.

4.        Develops conceptual models of the reservoir, prepares estimates of field reserves and forecasts of future production and generation and related reports, as needed.

5.        Initiates, develops and presents annual Steam Field budget.

6.        Prepares and submits reservoir maps based on well flowrate, pressure, gas and tracer data.

7.        Initiates and approves requisitions and invoices, tracks cost and ensures projects are cost­ effective.

8.        Sets standards of performance for direct reports, provides coaching and development opportunities, and assesses performance.

9.        Gathers and interprets the necessary information to comply with permits from the Bureau of Land Management, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Air Quality Management District(s) for all drilling, workover, conversion to injection and well abandonment programs. Prepares and submits required periodic operations reports.

10.      Represents Agency on the Effluent Committee, Geothermal Resources Council and Geysers Geothermal Association.

11.      Analyzes and interprets wireline logs including, but not limited to: PT, PTS and Casing Caliper logs.

12.      Coordinates with other staff at the NCPA Geothermal facility and others in providing steam field engineering support.

13.      Develops and utilizes computerized databases to analyze generation and production in support of engineering solutions and recommendations.

14.      Reports for work, meetings and appointments on time and maintain satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policies. Ensure work responsibilities are covered when absent.

15.      Maintains good working relationship with regulators including Federal Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Conservation (DOGGR), Sonoma County Air Quality Management District, Lake County Air Quality Management District, etc.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises projects i.e. (Drilling, wireline, reservoir upgrades) and may supervise other staff including student interns and lower-level engineers on rotational assignments.  If supervising responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required; Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Education and/or Experience

Engineer III: Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Engineering and minimum three (3) years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Engineer IV: Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) in Engineering and minimum five (5) years related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Must have demonstrated ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, and customers. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor

Reasoning Ability

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists, and to understand the risk/reward economic tradeoffs. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables

Computer Skills

Proficiency with MS Word and Excel. Utilize complex computer operations, intermediate to advanced programming, relational databases, and operating systems, and advanced features of software packages (word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, customized products, etc.). Software or hardware needed for this position includes geothermal reservoir models, geothermal fluid pipeline models, statistical models, financial/economic models, word processors, SCADA systems, compilers, calculators, plotters, databases and CAD programs. Experience with MS PowerPoint, MS Project, MS SharePoint, OSIsoft PI, CMMS, AutoCAD, and relational databases (e.g. MS Access) is desirable. Demonstrated application of business and systems analysis techniques, SQL, client-server and web base technology, and report writing tools is also desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid California Driver's License and Insurance or ability to obtain within thirty (30) days of hire.

Other Skills and Abilities

Some travel within California may be required. Knowledge of local, state and federal regulations applicable to electric utility generator operators and generator owners. Knowledge of utility industry, generation practices, and new developments. Understanding of electric generation plant control systems

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Duties involve working at a computer workstation with occasional work in a power plant. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EOE