Jobs – Geothermal drilling project manager, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland

Lausanne, Switzerland (source: matthieu valentin / flickr, Creative Commons)

The Directorate General for the Environment – Geology, Soil, and Waste Division (DGE-GEODE) of the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland is advertising a job opening for the position of Deep Geothermal Drilling Project Manager.

The position will be based in Lausanne and will be on an 80%-100% fixed-term contract for four years, with an option to renew for an additional two years. Applications for the position must be submitted by the 28th of January 2024.

More details on the job opening and instructions on application are available via this link.

Job responsibilities

In order to implement its energy transition and respond to the challenges of climate change, the Canton of Vaud wishes to develop deep geothermal energy. Under the supervision of the cantonal administration, numerous projects are under development.

The Deep Geothermal Drilling Project Manager will be responsible for:

•  Ensuring that the drilling work , geothermal exploration, and exploitation are carried out in optimal safety conditions while minimizing environmental impacts and risks in compliance with international standards;
• Implementation of  regular monitoring of the work based in particular on reports and notifications from permit and concession holders, data from monitoring, and surveillance networks, as well as field visits and audits;
• Holding dialogue and communication with permit and concession holders as well as with internal and external partners of the cantonal administration;
• Providing analysis and expertise of projects from the perspective of risk management as well as well integrity and drilling techniques;
• In an emergency situation, contributing  to the assessment of the situation and the solutions proposed by permit and concession holders and provide professional support to the intervention services concerned;
• Contributing to the cantonal development of geothermal energy, in particular by consolidating and sharing the learning acquired.

These duties involve close coordination as well as teamwork with others collaborators of the geology section, particularly with regard to the regulation of projects as well as the improvement of knowledge of the subsoil.

Desired qualifications

• University diploma or master’s degree in drilling engineering or training deemed equivalent
• Certification from Well Control (IADC, IWCF or similar) is desired
• Proven experience in the field of drilling
• Sense of responsibility and ethics of public service, ease of communication and ability to manage crisis situations, team spirit
• Proficiency in English required, German an asset

Source: Canton de Vaud