Mechanic Operator III, Geothermal

Final Filing Date: First review of applications will be on February 27, 2025.

The Mechanic Operator position consists of five levels of competency.  Individuals can either enter into the classification at the beginning level of the job or somewhere between the entry level and the top step depending on the qualifications brought with them.  It is the expectation of NCPA that all employees progress to the top level. In order to progress to the top level an employee must complete all components in a competency level within the associated training matrix.  Employees who successfully complete a training level matrix and who received a rating of “meets requirements” or higher by their immediate supervisor will be promoted when qualified.  Upon completion/demonstration of competencies employees will be expected to perform work in all completed levels and other job-related duties as required. All employees have the right to challenge any component in the training matrix by proving proficiencies verbally and practically.

General Scope of the Job

Under general supervision of the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor and at times under the general direction of the Mechanic Operator Lead Person; to maintain, repair, adjust, install, and test, powerplant steam field, water injection systems and equipment and maintain lease site grounds. The measure of accuracy and reliability is the safe, effective and efficient performance of the Facilities. This position is predominately mechanic based with operation support as outlined below.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

Level III:

This level of the Mechanic Operator position requires the completion of all Level III training requirements. The employee must perform the duties as described below and as defined in lower levels while attaining Level IV skills and experience through academic and hands-on training. Level III knowledge and skills focus on journey level mechanical duties and responsibilities.

•    Inspects, tests, calibrates, installs, rebuilds, adjusts, repairs and aligns all mechanical equipment such as hydraulic control systems, turbines, generators, cooling tower, pumps, electric motors, valves, gear reducers, compressors, blowers heat exchangers, HVAC systems excluding refrigerant replacement, fire protection systems, diesel and gas engines, mufflers, separators, traps, rock catchers, tanks, pipeline and pipe supports.

•    Maintains facility structures. 

•    Performs basic inspections and repairs various rigging equipment, fixtures and cranes.

•    Assists the scaffolding qualified journeyman in maintaining, and repairing scaffolding. 

•    Inspects and maintains safety devices such as harnesses and rescue equipment.

•    Works with Safety Manager to maintain records of regulated equipment.

•    Keeps accurate records of equipment history, reports and work orders on computer for CMMS.  Works with CMMS personnel for accuracy and reliability.

•    Performs preventative maintenance and assessments on various plant equipment.

•    Writes Work/Operating Procedures within area of expertise.

•    Requisitions replacement parts and supplies to carry out assigned tasks.

•    Makes working drawings of components and changes made to Plant systems relative to area of expertise.

•    Installs, inspects, tests, repairs, rebuilds, and maintains equipment such as portable and fixed site pumps, valves, mufflers, separators, traps, rock catchers, turbines, generators, motors, gear reducers, compressors and hydraulic control systems, pipelines, tanks, pipeline supports, effluent piping components.

•    Maintains lease site grounds structures, culverts, roads, drains and ditches.

•    Examines and diagnoses malfunctions or defective equipment on pumps, motors, valves, separators, vents, air vacuum breakers and compressors; disassembles/reassembles, overhauls and adjusts defective equipment

•    Installs, fits and calibrates equipment replacement parts.  Observes equipment operation.  Adjusts equipment to operational specifications using specialized tools and precision measuring instruments.

•    Disassembles, removes, repairs, replaces, assembles and aligns pipes, pipeline components, and valves repairing or replacing broken and worn parts using various hand tools.

•    Observes and directs contractors while digging trenches, cleaning tanks and maintaining lease site grounds.

•    Under the direction and training of operations, assists with clearances on steam field and effluent pipeline equipment for maintenance purposes.

•    Will be trained to Rig and lift equipment to install, repair or replace equipment.

•    Instructs and trains workers in repair and maintenance procedures of steam field, power plant and effluent pipeline equipment.

•    Maintains inventory of tools and materials for the maintenance work at the steam field and effluent pipeline.

•    Maintains steam field equipment records on work completed on CMMS or equivalent maintenance program.

•    Assists other classifications when needed.

•    Performs other job-related duties as required.

•    Acquire OSHA certified training to meet business needs.

•    Trains and advises other workers in the maintenance and operation of steam field and effluent pipeline equipment.

•    Maintains and repairs Hydraulic Control Systems.

Machinist Duties and Responsibilities

•     Sets up and operates machine tools to repair or reproduce equipment parts and fittings working from blueprints or defective parts using precision tools and measuring instruments.

•    Fabricates special tools, rigging equipment and replacement parts to repair equipment.   

•    Fabricates, modifies, shapes and repairs equipment parts using a variety of metal working machines.

•    Chips, grinds, bores, and drills equipment parts.

•    Verifies conformance of finished work piece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.

•    Calibrates, fits and assembles equipment parts according to drawings and specifications using machine tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.

•    Installs machined replacement parts; starts and observes equipment operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance performance, adjusts as necessary.

•    Maintains shop equipment and tools.

•    Maintains inventory of machining tools.

Representative Physical and Job Demands

•    Regularly talks and listens to others to exchange and obtain information to direct the operation and maintenance of Geothermal Facility steam field and effluent equipment.

•    Regularly reaches, grasps, pushes and pulls various wrenches, hand tools, and other objects using manual dexterity and eye hand coordination to operate and maintain equipment.

•    Regularly climb ladders and walks on platforms near high temperature surfaces; works on slippery or uneven surfaces in precarious places.

•    Frequently walks, reaches, kneels and crouches using feet, legs, hands and manual strength to access and operate plant equipment.

•    Occasionally lifts and moves pumps motors and pipe weighing up to 50 pounds.

•    Routinely works near heated surfaces; works on slippery or uneven surfaces in precarious places to adjust or operate equipment.

•    Occasionally exposed to high voltage and other electrical hazards while working on equipment.

•    Routinely works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to chemicals, wet and humid conditions, extreme cold and heat while inspecting and maintaining equipment.  The noise level is frequently very loud.

•    Routinely listens to operating sounds of equipment to diagnosis equipment malfunctions.

•    Frequently operates forklifts cranes, air compressors, sandblasters and power tools to maintain and repair equipment.

•    Frequently operates Agency vehicles going to and from job locations.

Job Expectations

Acquisition and Use of Technical Knowledge

•    Possesses or acquires as needed the ability to detect, diagnose disassemble and repair steam and water equipment with a fundamental knowledge of; turbine equipment, and auxiliary systems and their capabilities; operation processes, mechanical and electrical theory and background to operate equipment; measuring devices and hand tools for maintenance work; general contamination and control practices and procedures; basic math, geothermal powerplant rules and regulations; clearance procedures, physics including pump mechanics; basic principles of thermodynamics and fluid flow.  Given this basic knowledge, understands own role within the plant and how that role requires the use of knowledge applied to practical, day to day, operations and maintenance demands.  Hold self-accountable to acquire knowledge that may be needed when a job situation changes, new tasks are introduced to the job, or when improved performance requires acquiring extended or specialized information.

•    Possesses or acquires as needed an extensive knowledge of safety, fire, and security rules and procedures.  Given the emphasis of safety at the plant, uses knowledge to improve plant conditions and the organization’s safety record.

•    Acquires knowledge of operations and maintenance procedures on a continuing basis to stay current as a significant contributor to plant solutions, safety performance, and operations and maintenance improvements.

•    Confers with Operator Technician Lead Person or Operations Supervisor to resolve system problems and offers a variety of workable solutions to complex problems and report status of systems and equipment.  

•    Identifies problems or trends with systems and equipment early to prevent operator or electrical errors. 

•    Passes knowledge on to other employees as a way to contribute to the performance of others, or get a job done.

•    Assesses own limitations with the fundamental knowledge needed to perform in the job.

Application of Technical and General Job Skills

Technical and job skills are indicated by demonstrating an ability to:

•    Efficiently and effectively operate, control, and maintain equipment, and be accountable for aspects of the job at the Geothermal Facility. 

•    Implement or use existing methods to control the waste of time, money and material resources, such as:

o    Acting to improve work procedures 

o    Conserving resources 

o    Expediting a job

o    Completing a work assignment efficiently

o    Completing long term work in an orderly fashion

•    Work with management to identify and learn from mistakes made and apply what is learned to future situations or plant conditions.

•    Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

•    Review own action to determine the cause of poor working relationships so those relationships can be improved

•    May be required to work extended hours and on normal days off.

•    Operate Agency vehicles and equipment safely.

Training and Experience Requirements

Level III: Completion of the NCPA Level III training program or three years of equivalent journey-level mechanical experience.

Driver’s License Requirement

Possession of an unrestricted Class C California operator’s license issued by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles.  Possession and maintenance of a good driving record as demonstrated by the absence of multiple or serious traffic violations or accidents within the last three (3) years.

Desired Qualifications

•    Possession, or ability to obtain with training, a Class A California operator’s license issued by the State of California Department of motor Vehicles.

•    Ability to set up and operates machine tools to repair or reproduce equipment parts and fittings working from blueprints or defective parts using precision tools and measuring instruments.

•    Ability to Fabricate special tools, rigging equipment and replacement parts to repair equipment.   

•    Ability to Fabricate, modifies, shapes and repairs equipment parts using a variety of metal working machines.

•    Chips, grinds, bores, and drills equipment parts.

•    Verifies conformance of finished work piece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.

•    Calibrates, fits and assembles equipment parts according to drawings and specifications using machine tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.

•    Installs machined replacement parts; starts and observes equipment operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance performance, adjusts as necessary.

EOE