Final Filing Date: First review of applications will be on February 16, 2026. NCPA reserves the right to close this posting once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position requires the incumbent reports for work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives to meetings and appointments on time; Performs special assignments for the Plant Manager or others as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Level IV:
This is the journey person level class within the Engineer series. Working with minimal direction, employees at this level perform the projects and troubleshooting assignments. May lead capital projects including prioritizing work, giving project assignments, directing and reviewing work, and providing guidance and instruction to project personnel including professional engineering staff, other staff and contractors.
Level V:
This is the senior level class within the Engineering series. Working with minimal direction often taking plant goals and translating them into work assignments for the individual and in many cases other departments. Employees at this level are given the most complex projects (many cases maybe multi- year, many different disciplines of work, large contracts) and complex trouble shooting.
Responsibilities:
Level IV:
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.
Level V:
In addition to Level IV class, this item;
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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Level IV:
Education and/or Experience
This level requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of five (5) years related experience in power plant/production engineering. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable and in some cases a requirement.
Level V:
Education and/or Experience
This level requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical preferred) plus a Master’s degree in reservoir engineering from an accredited four-year college or university; and a minimum of six (6) years related experience preferably within a steam field reservoir generating plant. A California Professional Engineering License is highly desirable and in some cases a requirement.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge:
Knowledge of power plant operations and plant design parameters; 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; 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.
In addition, requires knowledge of California Public Utilities Code and General Orders; trends, issues, State and Federal requirements, and basic court decisions affecting public utilities and transportation regulation; knowledge of engineering terminology, fundamentals, mathematics, and economics; financial structure and prescribed accounting classifications; knowledge of standards of service, reliability, and safety; materials and methods of engineering construction; procedures of conducting hearings before the California Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies.
Abilities:
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.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Professional Engineer license is highly desirable, and in some cases is a requirement.
Valid California Driver's License and insurance, as travel by car to NCPA facilities is required.
Additional coursework or certifications in information technology are helpful.
The Reservoir Engineer IV may be called upon to lead projects and may act as interim supervisor as needed.
The Reservoir Engineer V supervises projects i.e. (drilling, wireline, reservoir upgrades) and may supervise other staff including student interns and lower level engineers on rotational assignments.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 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. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
EOE