Clean Energy Jobs

What exactly is a Green Job? 

Green jobs help protect ecosystems and biodiversity. These jobs prioritize reducing energy and water consumption; they reduce massive oil dependency, and minimize or eradicate the production of waste and pollution. Work in research and development, manufacturing, agricultural, administration jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality are also considered to be green jobs.

What are common Green Jobs?  

All salary information and related descriptions was obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition web site at http://www.bls.gov/oco/.

Construction jobs can be environmentally compatible by prioritizing green building measures.  Renewable and sustainable resources are used in place of hazardous materials by choosing cellulose insulation made from recycled paper instead of harmful asbestos insulation.  Contractors can build structure walls from local materials like wood, wool and canvas to reduce the importing and transporting of materials minimizing energy and fuel consumption. Window and door retrofit technicians are professionals who specialize in upgrading window and door components in order to repair and update existing structures rather than contributing waste by replacing existing doors and windows with new ones.  Weatherization and retrofitting are also aspects of green construction to conduct energy audits, provide weatherization, install solar energy systems, providing basic environmental education to the public for more energy efficient homes and businesses.  Most of these positions require a Bachelor’s degree in construction, construction management, basic construction skills and informal on the job training and experience is also valuable.  Salaries for these positions range from $57,317 to about $100,000 annually depending on contracts and negotiations; hourly wages are also available ranging from $13-$24. 

Engineering positions can emphasize clean energy and technology by helping to create the next generation of better, more energy efficient and environmentally compatible buildings and structures. There are many sub-sectors of the engineering field including electrical, environmental, geothermal, solar operations, smart-grid, refrigeration, and thermal engineering each focused on utilizing and improving existing energy sources and exploring natural sources of energy to create more efficiency in construction and development.  For most engineering positions, a Bachelor’s degree is desired. Depending on their subfield, engineers can earn anywhere from $44k to over $133k annually.              

Urban and Regional Planning jobs can help reduce communities’ carbon footprints by creating short and long term plans for land use that will restore local ecosystems and revitalize communities emphasizing sustainable development to reduce resource and energy consumption.  A majority of these jobs are government positions emphasizing wetlands restoration, storm water management, transit oriented development, and urban design.  They help local officials solve social, economic, and environmental problems by suggesting locations for roads, schools, and other infrastructure by suggesting regulations that forecast the future needs of the population. Most entry-level jobs in Federal, State, and local governments require a master's degree from an accredited program in urban or regional planning or a related field, such as urban design, environmental planning, or geography. Median annual wages of urban and regional planners were $59,810 in May 2008. 

Environmental scientists often work to control, regulate and prevent water, air, and land pollution. They initiate and produce research to assess the levels of toxins, pollutants and hazardous chemicals in our environment and create efficient plans to mitigate them. Educational expectations are minimally a bachelor's degree in environmental science. The salary median was $51,080 per year in general, and $73,530 for those working in the federal government.
 

Climatology studies the long term climate trends for geographic regions.  Studying the ecosystems a climatologist performs research to forecast what's going to happen over the long-term within the climate of a given area based upon several characteristics; one of these being the effects that pollution has on climate both in the present and future.  This research is crucial for understanding the impact of human behavior on the environment and recommendations can be made as to the changes humans can make so that we positively affect our climate and prolong our very survival by protecting the earth.  A Bachelor’s degree physical, biological and atmospheric science is necessary for these positions and salaries range from $55k to $95k based on experience and specializations.

Wind Turbine Fabricator, Solar installer and other Energy Renewable Power professions require skills for working in traditional electric power occupations that are transferable to those in renewable energy, such as wind or solar power.  Preparing for a skilled trade requires a minimum of two-year vocational degree in a related field of choice. Salary varies but starts around $13-$18 per hour.  

Local Training & Job Placement  

 http://www.cypressmandela.org/

The Cypress Mandela Training Center, Inc. offers a 16-week pre-apprenticeship program for Bay Area men and women over 18 years old. Training is both hands-on and in the classroom and prepares students for skilled trades jobs that are relevant to today’s construction industry. Whether you are embarking on a new career or are interested in a job change, Cypress Mandela’s FREE pre-apprenticeship program will take you where you want to go. Cypress Mandela students attend classes every weekday from 7am – 3:30pm, for the duration of the 16-week session. Experts from all over California guest teach alongside in-house staff members. Students may earn up to 7 college credits from UC Berkeley, UC Davis or Laney College. The program provides training, skills assessment and testing, as well as job placement.  In the past two years, over 85% of the graduates were placed in jobs.    

http://www.risingsunenergy.org/content/programs.html 

Rising Sun Energy Center provides green jobs training to youth and to adults who face barriers to employment. Rising Sun offers four programs for youth, and one for adults training for careers in the energy efficiency sector. They offer several different opportunities please visit website for more details

 http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=1243
 

Richmond BUILD Pre-apprenticeship Construction Skills and Green Jobs Training Academy was first developed to create employment and career opportunities for Richmond residents and also to implement a strategy for reducing violence in our community. 

 http://www.solarise.org/green_careers.html 

A Green Workforce Development Pilot ProgramThe SEE Green Careers Pilot Program is a Bay Area green jobs collaborative initiative designed to train 37 young adults (ages 18-23) for certification as Photovoltaic Panel (Solar Panel) Installers and subsequently place 26 trainees in entry-level jobs. Collaborative partners include Spanish Speaking Citizens' Foundation (SSCF), The English Center, YMCA of the East Bay Urban Services, Rising Sun Energy Center, and SunEnergy, Inc.   

Examples listings for Local Green Jobs (August 2010) 

Earthjustice is the nation's leading nonprofit environmental law firm, working through the courts and on Capitol Hill to preserve our natural heritage, safeguard our environmental health, and create a clean and sustainable energy future.  The organization is seeking an Internet-savvy individual to join their successful and rapidly growing online fundraising program at our Oakland, California, headquarters. Please visit link for qualifications detail and salary. Please submit your résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest in, and qualifications for, the position, to jobs@earthjustice.org 

The Senior Environmental Employment (SEE) program offers unique opportunities in the San Francisco area for individuals age 55 or older to support the U.S. Environmental Protection agency through a grant sponsored by the National Older Worker Career Center (NOWCC). Apply today by visiting our website and following the application steps, www.nowcc.org. Complete and submit an "Initial Application Form" along with an updated résumé and three professional references to 303-238-2542 (fax) or plewis@nowcc.org. Please specify on the application which position you are applying for: CA-403. Must be 55 or over to apply. An Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Natural Resources Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a water resources consulting engineering firm headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado with additional offices in Oakland, California and Asmara, Eritrea. Visit Site for more details. http://www.nrce.com/company-news-and-resources/employment-opportunities 

Clean Edge Jobs specializes in connecting job candidates at every level with a range of clean-tech companies and other organizations leading the transition to a clean-energy economy. http://jobs.cleanedge.com. 

Natural Logic is seeking analysts, consultants and practice leaders with intelligence; a passion for sustainability, regeneration and innovation. http://www.natlogic.com/about-us/team/careers/ 

For a half-century, Dewberry® has been a leader in the planning, design, and program management professions. We work in partnership with public- and private-sector clients locally, regionally, and nationally. Staff includes engineers, architects, planners, surveyors, environmental scientists, and many specialized experts. Dewberry offers clients an integrated service approach with a commitment to value and performance. http://www.dewberry.com/careers.asp 

Eberline Services recognizes that talented employees are essential to our ability to provide expertise, innovative technologies, and creative solutions to our clients' complex hazardous and radioactive waste and environmental management challenges. http://www.eberlineservices.com/employment.htm 

Since 1994, Environmental Risk Communications, Inc. (ERCI) has provided businesses with expert consulting and cutting-edge tools to analyze, manage and account for highly complex environmental liabilities. http://www.erci.com/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx 

SCA Environmental, Inc. was established in 1992 as a multi-disciplinary firm offering a family of interrelated services in the fields of environmental science, occupational health and safety, engineering, and laboratory analyses. http://sca-enviro.com/employment.aspx 

A global leader in third-party environmental, sustainability and food quality certification, auditing, testing and standards development. If you are looking for rewarding work in the environmental field, please review their site. http://www.scscertified.com/scs_jobs.php 

Sun Light & Power is a solar power integrator based in Berkeley, California and in continuous operation since 1976. We offer Total Energy Solutions™, providing our customers with smart, cost-effective energy packages that combine solar electricity (photovoltaic) and solar water heating (solar thermal), along with energy efficiency and conservation. http://www.sunlightandpower.com/about/#Careers