Operations Training Manager

The Operations Training Manager builds and leads Fervos training function for field and facility operations. This role owns the design delivery and continuous improvement of technical safety and competency-based training programs for wellsite operators technicians and operations staff and scales that training capacity to support new capital projects as Fervo brings additional geothermal facilities online. The Manager takes direct ownership of the Fervo training matrix the equipment training SOPs job aids SMPs procedures & processes and qualification-card tracking system already established for the Operations team and is responsible for maturing it and replicating it as the standard training framework for every future Fervo site. The Manager will eventually lead a small team of training coordinators and partners closely with Operations HSE and Engineering leadership to ensure every person working at a Fervo site has the skills certifications and judgment to work safely in a complex industrial environment.

Responsibilities

Training Strategy & Program Development

• Design and continuously improve a structured curriculum for field operations roles (wellsite operators technicians power plant operations staff) covering onboarding technical skills equipment-specific procedures and competency progression.
• Partner with Operations leadership and subject matter experts to translate standard operating procedures (SOPs) engineering specifications and lessons learned into effective training content and job aids.
• Establish learning and training objectives tied to business operations safety performance and individual development goals.

Field & Technical Operations Training

• Deliver and oversee hands-on classroom and e-learning training for wellsite drilling-adjacent and power plant operations personnel.
• Ensure training reflects the mechanical electrical and process systems unique to Fervos geothermal wellsite and surface facility operations.
• Coordinate emergency response drills and exercises in partnership with HSE.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Own the training and competency assurance program that ensures personnel meet OSHA DOT and other applicable regulatory and permit requirements before working independently.
• Maintain training records certifications and audit-ready documentation within Fervos learning management system (LMS).
• Partner with HSE to build and deliver HSE-focused training (LOTO confined space Work Authorization PPE etc.) appropriate to geothermal field operations.

GeoBlock & New-Site Ramp-Up Support

• Scale training capacity to support workforce ramp-up for new capital projects building training plans schedules and onboarding pipelines ahead of new facility startup and commissioning.
• Coordinate with construction commissioning and project leadership to ensure operations personnel are trained and certified in time for handover and startup.
• Stand up site-specific training infrastructure (training rooms simulators documentation) at new locations as needed.
• Replicate the Cape Station training matrix and qualification-card framework at each new adapting equipment- and procedure-specific content while preserving a consistent tracking structure across the fleet.

Training Matrix & Qualification Tracking

• Own and maintain the Fervo combined training matrix equipment training (OJT vendor-led commissioning/engineer-led and classroom instruction) SOPs job aids SMPs and procedures & processes keeping it current as new equipment and systems are added.
• Administer the Operations qualification card (Qual Card) tracker including individual training completion records retraining/recertification schedules and audit-ready status reporting by person and by equipment or system.
• Partner with Production Engineering Maintenance and Commissioning to close open training-status gaps identified in the matrix assigning responsible parties and target completion dates.
• Evolve the matrix and qualification-card model into the standardized template Fervo reuses at every future site.

Learning Management & Program Administration

• Administer and continuously improve Fervos LMS including course assignment tracking and reporting on training completion and compliance.
• Select manage and evaluate third-party training vendors and course content.
• Own the training budget for the Operations function monitoring cost and return on training investment.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Partnership

• Hire coach and lead a team of training coordinators; set priorities review instructional quality and develop their skills as trainers.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between Operations and the People team on workforce development onboarding and career-pathing initiatives.
• Report training program effectiveness compliance status and workforce readiness metrics to Operations leadership.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in education human resources engineering industrial technology or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7 years of experience in training learning & development or workforce development within complex industrial operations (oil & gas LNG power generation petrochemical utilities or geothermal).
• 2 years leading or mentoring a training team or demonstrated experience building a training function from the ground up.
• Experience supporting workforce ramp-up for a capital project plant startup or commissioning effort strongly preferred.

Technical & Industry Knowledge

• Working knowledge of wellsite or power plant operations and the mechanical electrical and process systems involved.
• Familiarity with OSHA and other applicable safety and regulatory training requirements for industrial field operations.
• Experience with a Learning Management System (LMS) and instructional design principles for adult learners.
• Experience building or administering a qualification-matrix or qual-card system that ties equipment procedures and individual training records together with retraining/recertification schedules.

Skills

• Strong program and project management skills; able to run multiple training workstreams across locations at once.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with the ability to translate technical procedures into clear effective training.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with Operations HSE Engineering and People leadership.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to field sites including active construction and commissioning sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in geothermal ORC/binary-cycle power generation or steam-cycle plant operations.
• Experience standing up training programs during greenfield facility commissioning and startup including coordinating operator readiness milestones
• Professional training or safety credentials authorized trainer status
• Experience implementing or migrating an LMS or selecting an LMS platform for a growing organization.
• Familiarity with competency assurance frameworks common to high-hazard industries
• Experience developing training for multi-craft technician roles spanning mechanical electrical and I&C disciplines.
• Bilingual English/Spanish facilitation ability.
• Experience with operator training simulators or building hands-on training rigs/mock-ups for field equipment.

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston TX with growing offices in Golden CO Reno NV and Oakland CA and Salt Lake City UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility but regular in-office presence at the Reno Milford SLC or Houston office will be required.