Green Careers
If you don't have a green job, you may be left in the dust someday soon. Green-collar jobs have experienced a 9 percent increase in the last 10 years. There's no turning back now. The Obama Administration has proposed a $10 billion budget for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop new environmental programs aimed at protecting the country's ecological resources, while creating new jobs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has siphoned billions of dollars into the development of renewable energy. Studies show that green building will support 7.9 million American jobs over the next three years. All of this proves that green industries offer viable career opportunities, such as these:
Building Performance Institute (BPI) analysts ensure that buildings operate properly. These energy-efficiency professionals conduct tests and evaluate methods for retrofitting and remodeling existing structures. BPI analysts understand how building systems interact, and use diagnostic tools and measures to stop moisture damage, prevent heath hazards, improve insulation, conduct energy audits, and check heating and cooling systems for energy efficiency and safety. All of these steps help reduce a building's carbon footprint.
LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs) are renowned sustainability experts who contribute to the rating of buildings with various LEED systems and mentor their fellow team members. By obtaining LEED AP designation, you are not only making a wise career investment, you are also taking an essential step to remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry and positioning yourself for the high demand green-job market.
Solar thermal/photovoltaic professionals include contractors, engineers, architects and others who understand how solar technologies capture, convert and distribute solar energy. They're trained in photovoltaic theory and applications; systems design; customer financing and return on investment; regulations; site evaluation; and installation of residential and commercial solar rooftop panels. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that solar energy could create more than 1 million new jobs by the year 2030.
Residential green building specialists assist homeowners and builders in creating eco-friendly houses. These specialists understand green-building design, construction and operations; materials and product selection; waste management; building commissioning; site planning; building-energy use and more. Green residential specialists comprise a critical part of the current green-construction industry, which supports roughly 2 million jobs. The U.S. Green Building Council predicts that green building will support 8 million jobs by the year 2013.
Green Infrastructure specialists understand the connection between construction and the environment. They're knowledgeable about best management practices for site assessment, streetscape, utilities, stormwater management, and landscape and construction practices.
Certified environmental specialists protect and preserve the natural environment and human health. They address problems associated with drinking and surface water quality, solid and hazardous waste storage and disposal, indoor and outdoor air quality, radiological health, occupational health, system ecology (interrelationships of organisms and their environments) and sanitary hygiene. Environmental specialists collect and research hazardous samples, record data, prepare reports, maintain monitoring gear and provide support to engineers and scientists. These specialists work in the fields of environmental management, public relations, landscaping, food protection and more. Regulatory and public health agencies, industry, utility companies, engineering firms and universities all seek professionals trained as environmental specialists.
Wind energy specialists install, operate and maintain wind-related technologies. These professionals—engineers, electricians, contractors, architects and others—understand the design, installation and electrical integration of small and large wind systems. They undergo training in site assessment, industry regulations, wind-turbine operation and maintenance, wind measurements and instrumentation, economics of wind energy, safety practices and more.
Accredited geothermal installers are trained to install, operate and maintain geothermal systems. Geothermal is a renewable form of energy that doesn't add pollution or greenhouse gases to the atmosphere because fossil fuels don't combust during its operation. In Greek, geothermal means “Earth’s heat.” The extreme heat trapped in the earth core’s liquid rock creates naturally occurring hot water and steam, which, when close enough to the surface, can be piped to generate electricity. These systems draw from beneath the ground where the temperature is roughly 60 degrees year-round, and the process is used to heat and cool buildings.
Thermographers used infrared cameras and thermal imaging to identify potential problems with a building's operation. These trained professionals inspect roofing systems and building envelopes for moisture infiltration. They use thermal imaging to detect heat loss from windows and doors, and to inspect thermal-heated floor slabs for system leakage. Ultimately, the collected data is used to diagnose problems with a building's performance, and determine methods for improvement.
Hybrid auto specialists understand how hybrid cars work, drive, brake and save gas. They can operate scanners, battery packs, inverters and other equipment components of these vehicles. Hybrid vehicles address the problems of high gas prices and the greenhouse effect caused by our gas-guzzling society, by achieving 20 to 30 more miles per gallon than the standard automobile, which results in improved fuel economy and lower emissions. Most car companies have announced plans to manufacture their own versions of hybrid vehicles in the near future, which means this technology will continue to advance.
OSHA safety personnel understand the basics of occupational safety and health. They recognize health hazards that may be present in the workplace and offer prevention measures. OSHA training programs are intended for workers, safety directors, foremen and field supervisors in construction and general industries. Those who undergo training obtain a Department of Labor completion card.
Hazardous materials removal workers undergo HAZWOPER training to be certified for the important task of cleaning up toxic sites. These workers identify, remove, package, transport and dispose of asbestos, radioactive and nuclear waste, arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxic materials found on brownfields and Superfund sites. These workers held more than 42,000 jobs in 2008, and employment is expected to increase by 15 percent by 2018. This is faster than the average for all other occupations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Weatherization specialists make sure a house or office building is adequately protected from outside elements. They seal cracks, gaps, holes, leaky air ducts and other bypasses around doors, windows and pipes. These specialists identify steps for better weatherproofing, which might involve installing storm doors and double-glazed windows, or replacing old heating and cooling equipment with updated, energy-saving models. The U.S. Department of Energy recently received $5 billion in economic-stimulus money to expand its weatherization-assistance programs, which means more weatherization specialists will soon be needed.
As America moves toward a clean-energy economy and more environmentally sound way of constructing our built environment, now is the time to take advantage of training programs and certifications that will put you at the forefront of the green movement. So, which green-collar job is right for you?
