Senior Reservoir Engineer IV-V, Geothermal

Northern CA Power Agency•Middletown, CA

About The Position

This position performs a variety of engineering tasks relating to plant reliability and performance efficiency, troubleshoots plant and equipment problems and responsible for the collection, processing and interpretation of production, thermodynamic, geologic and geophysical data necessary to recommend actions to maximize steam production and plant generation. This position may also undertake special projects as assigned by and through the Plant Manager. The level of supervision will be dependent upon the incumbent’s classification level (IV or V) but all levels will perform a variety of assigned complex technical and professional work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred)
A minimum of five (5) years related experience in power plant/production engineering (Level IV)
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) plus a Master’s degree in reservoir engineering (Level V)
A minimum of six (6) years related experience preferably within a steam field reservoir generating plant (Level V)
Knowledge of power plant operations and plant design parameters
Knowledge of methods, materials and techniques used in making engineering evaluations on the performance of the physical reservoir processes including but not limited to volumetric voidage calculations, water frontal advance maps, water percentage versus cumulative production curves, injectivity and production capabilities, together with other secondary recovery methods
General power plant safety principles and practices
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
Use and application of computer aided design software
Principles and practices of applicable ASME codes and standards
Principles of budget preparation and administration
Proficiency with MS Word and Excel
Valid California Driver's License and insurance, as travel by car to NCPA facilities is required.
Observe and enforce NCPA safety procedures and to establish and maintain project priorities and to reason logically and creatively.
Must develop and evaluate alternatives
Analyze data and perform research work
Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
Communicate and negotiate effectively
Prepare reports, correspondence, safety oversight plans, and exhibits
Translate engineering calculations and analyses into concepts usable by decision-makers
Testify on results of completed studies
Consult with and advise administrators, decision-makers, and other interested parties on a broad range of subject-matter areas
Serve as a lead person and gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work
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.)
Control project costs and report progress
Conduct post project reviews and consistently manage NCPA staff or contractors in pursuit of facility goals.

Nice To Haves

A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable
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
Requirements of Public Works Contracts including, Public Works bid process, roles and responsibilities of NCPA project manager versus contractor, bonding Public notices and registration requirements; project closure
NCPA leadership standards and expected leadership behaviors and considerable skill in verbal and written communications.
Additional coursework or certifications in information technology are helpful.

Responsibilities

Interfaces with plant staff to optimize plant output.
Estimates forward projection of steam supplies and generation of the geothermal field.
Evaluates the effects of injection within the field and makes injection recommendations based on the available tracer, MEQ, and reservoir data.
Recommends pipeline and control system design changes necessary to increase system operating efficiencies.
Reduces 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.
Acts as a point of contact with the NCPA Generation Services Engineering Department and provides engineering assistance as requested.
Assists in the preparation of engineering solutions for problems related to production, generation and transmission.
Communicates with staff, management, technical committees, commission, and regulators through memos, meetings, and reports.
Assists in making injection recommendations to maximize the recovery of injection-derived-steam.
Develops conceptual models of the reservoir, prepares estimates of field reserves and forecasts of future production and generation and related reports, as needed.
Initiates, develops and presents annual Steam Field budget.
Prepares and submits reservoir maps based on well flowrate, pressure, gas and tracer data.
Initiates and approves requisitions and invoices, tracks cost and insures projects are cost effective.
Acts as project manager on assigned projects which includes planning, interdepartmental coordination, budgeting, implementation, progress reporting, quality control, payment approval, etc.
Sets standards of performance for direct reports, provides coaching and development opportunities, and assesses performance.
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.
Represents Agency on the Effluent Committee, Geothermal Resources Council and Geysers Geothermal Association.
Analyzes and interprets wireline logs including, but not limited to: PT, PTS and Casing Caliper logs.
Coordinates with other staff at the NCPA Geothermal facility and others in providing steam field engineering support.
Develops and utilizes computerized databases to analyze generation and production in support of engineering solutions and recommendations.
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.
May be called upon to step into the Plant Manager or Operations and Maintenance Supervisor role from time to time.