will be traveling into New Mexico
The Wellsite Supervisor holds operational responsibility for the safe, efficient and compliant execution of geothermal well construction operations at an assigned location. The role supervises all contractor and service company activity on site, makes real-time operational decisions within the approved well program, verifies and controls wellsite cost, and represents the company to the customer on location. Two supervisors are assigned per active location on rotation to provide continuous coverage.
Health, safety and environment
Hold and exercise stop-work authority without hesitation whenever conditions warrant, irrespective of cost or schedule consequence.
Set and enforce the safety standard on location for all personnel, including contractor and service company crews.
Lead pre-job safety meetings, participate in job safety analysis, and verify permit to work compliance.
Work alongside the Wellsite HSE Supervisor on location, supporting incident and near-miss reporting and investigation.
Maintain emergency response readiness, including drills, muster procedures and medevac arrangements.
Ensure compliance with all company, customer and regulatory HSE requirements, including H2S and high-temperature fluid handling procedures.
Operational execution
Execute the approved well program safely and efficiently, delivering the well to specification.
Supervise all drilling contractor and service company activity on location, providing clear direction and holding crews to the agreed standard of performance.
Make real-time operational decisions within the approved program, and obtain approval from the Drilling Manager before deviating from it.
Manage hard rock drilling conditions including lost circulation, fractured formations, hole cleaning and bit performance as routine operating conditions.
Oversee air, aerated or underbalanced drilling operations where these are in the program.
Supervise casing running, cementing and wellhead installation operations, including high-temperature service applications.
Manage rig moves, mobilization and demobilization.
Cost, reporting and verification
Track and control wellsite cost in real time, and verify contractor and service company time and materials before approval.
Prepare accurate and timely daily drilling reports, cost reports and morning calls.
Identify and document events that may give rise to a change order, with contemporaneous records sufficient to support commercial recovery.
Provide operational input to the Project Manager on cost and schedule position, recognizing that under a fixed price every avoidable day is absorbed by the company.
Escalation and technical interface
Escalate technical matters — well program deviation, well integrity, formation or design issues — to the Drilling Manager.
Escalate commercial and schedule matters to the Project Manager.
Take daily operational direction from the assigned Project Manager while receiving functional, technical and competency direction from the Drilling Manager.
Provide offset and operational feedback to the well engineering team, and participate in post-well reviews and lessons learned so that each well performs better than the last.
Customer and third-party interface
Represent the company on location as the senior operational presence.
Host customer representatives and visitors on site, including individuals with no prior oilfield experience, providing orientation, escort and clear explanation of operations.
Communicate operational status, problems and their consequences to non-technical audiences honestly and without jargon.
Support the I&S Coordinator in managing third-party vendor performance on location and in documenting non-conformances.
Required qualifications
Eight or more years in wellsite drilling supervision, or an equivalent combination of technical education and directly relevant supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience drilling in hard rock formations — geothermal, mining, mineral exploration, large-diameter or water well drilling.
Experience with air, aerated or underbalanced drilling operations.
Demonstrated management of lost circulation as a routine operating condition, including drilling blind or aerated, LCM strategy and cement decision points.
Demonstrated management of drilling contractor and service company performance on location, as distinct from coordination.
Experience exercising stop-work authority on a live operation.
Working knowledge of casing running, cementing and wellhead installation.
Competent in daily reporting, wellsite cost tracking and verification of contractor time and materials.
Ability to communicate clearly with individuals who have no oilfield background.
Valid driver's license and ability to meet company motor vehicle record requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications, including well control (IADC WellSharp or IWCF), H2S, and applicable first aid and site access requirements.
Ability to pass and maintain the medical and fitness-for-duty requirements for remote field work.
Preferred qualifications
Direct geothermal well construction experience.
High-temperature drilling operations experience, including steam or high-temperature returns.
Large-diameter tophole construction experience.
Experience representing an operator or turnkey contractor rather than a service provider.
Experience on fixed-price, lump-sum or turnkey scope where cost overrun was carried by the employer.
Directional drilling experience in hard rock.
Experience supporting customers or stakeholders from outside the oil and gas industry.
Familiarity with enterprise reporting and well planning systems.
Working Conditions:
Field-based role at active drilling locations, frequently in remote areas with limited local amenities.
Virtual-based support required during project planning phase.
Rotational schedule with extended periods away from home, including nights, weekends and holidays.
Travel from point of hire to assigned locations across the western United States.
Outdoor work in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
Exposure to high noise, vibration, elevated temperatures, high-temperature fluids and potential H2S environments; personal protective equipment required at all times.
Requires the ability to walk on uneven terrain, climb stairs and ladders, work at height, and stand or walk for extended periods.
Requires the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with company, customer and regulatory requirements.
Notes:
Remote (will be traveling into New Mexico)
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status