{"id":772,"date":"2012-04-20T18:38:59","date_gmt":"2012-04-20T18:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=772"},"modified":"2012-05-02T16:46:47","modified_gmt":"2012-05-02T16:46:47","slug":"how-to-find-a-green-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=772","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO FIND A GREEN JOB"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nRead Published Article<\/a><\/p>\n

For those of you\u00a0looking for a job<\/a>\u00a0or a different career, there\u2019s some good news: Green jobs \u2014 that is, those with an eco-friendly focus \u2014 are expected to grow in the coming years. In fact, a report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors forecasts that\u00a0as many as 3.5 million green jobs will be created by 2028 (PDF)<\/a>\u00a0in everything from generating renewable power to retrofitting buildings.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, if you want to go green in your next job, you needn\u2019t worry about having to have a green r\u00e9sum\u00e9. Many of the skills you\u2019ve developed in prior jobs are exactly those you\u2019ll need in the new market. If, for example, you have technical skills in engineering, architecture, accounting, marketing or project management, you\u2019ll find job openings at solar energy firms, renewable energy outfits and others.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/a>Even established businesses are adding workers and jobs with a green focus. What employer doesn\u2019t want to find ways to shed waste responsibly and cut utility bills with efficient energy use? It takes people who have been project managers, worked a sales beat and are handy at media relations to run even the small-scale eco-friendly programs now under way and get the word out about them to the outside world.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cThere\u2019s no shortage of new graduates coming into the green market, but many organizations are foundering because they need workers with expertise and gravitas, who have the seasoned skills \u2014 whether it is communications skills or management skills, or strategy skills,\u201d says Joel Makower, executive editor of\u00a0GreenBiz.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Passionate about environmental issues? Find a green job!\u00a0\u2014 Photo by Noll Images<\/div>\n

Interested? Here are five jobs to consider, depending on your skills and interests. Pay varies based on factors such as experience and where you live. Salary figures are primarily derived from U.S. Department of Labor data.<\/p>\n

1. Green building consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nitty-gritty:<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019re genuinely interested in building a post-retirement career with a green bent, it\u2019s worth the time and effort to head back to the classroom. In general, a background in architecture, engineering and construction will give you a firm foundation. Older buildings, in particular, are getting serious facelifts. States, counties and cities are offering\u00a0incentives<\/a>\u00a0targeted at green building projects. You probably need a grasp of (or the burning desire to learn) the technical aspects of building construction, say, the nature of leaky windows, the best ways to use natural lighting, energy-efficient heating and air-conditioning systems (HVAC), plus water-smart features such as low-pressure faucets and toilets.<\/p>\n

Pay range:<\/strong>\u00a0Salaries can run from $75,000 a year in Portland, Maine, and San Antonio, Texas, to $118,000 in New York City.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Qualifications:<\/strong>\u00a0The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program offers certification that leads to a credential as a green building specialist. That\u2019s your calling card to offer strategic advice on a wide range of building projects. The\u00a0Green Building Certification Institute<\/a>provides information, as does its parent organization, the\u00a0U.S. Green Building Council<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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2. Waste consultant<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nitty-gritty:<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019re a recycling devotee, you\u2019ll revel in the chance to help companies and residential communities reduce waste. Show that your efforts save money and you\u2019ve won a convert to your cause. Consulting opportunities can be found in both government offices and private companies. Waste consultants may also be called recycling consultants, or waste reduction coordinators. Consider specializing in a certain area, such as paper or food. You\u2019ll of course need data to back up your efforts. Don\u2019t be fooled into thinking everyone is on board with green initiatives.<\/p>\n

Next:\u00a0How much does a waste consultant make per hour? \u00bb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Median hourly pay:<\/strong>\u00a0Income levels vary widely by employer and location. Consultants\u2019 pay range: $11.64 to $62.69 per hour.<\/p>\n

Qualifications:\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s a smorgasbord. Knowledge of recycling programs from previous work, even on a volunteer basis, shows you know what you\u2019re talking about. You\u2019ll need clear communication skills to explain what the program is all about and why it matters. Sales chops will help you persuade people to actually stick with it. Project management ability will ensure that your program runs smoothly. Accounting basics will prove that it\u2019s worth an employer\u2019s while.\u00a0The National Recycling Coalition<\/a>\u00a0offers webinars on a range of recycling topics and more. Some states now offer recycling certification programs via local colleges.Rutgers University<\/a>, for example, offers a New Jersey recycling 21-day certification program.<\/p>\n

\u00a03. Park guide<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The nitty-gritty:<\/strong>\u00a0Each year the\u00a0National Park Service<\/a>\u00a0as well as state and local parks hire temporary and\u00a0seasonal employees<\/a>. You might be in charge of basic tasks like collecting fees at the entry gate, answering visitor questions and passing out maps and brochures. With a little homework, you might find yourself teaching brief educational programs about the park ecosystem from bear habitats to flora and fauna. Those of you with a fit physique might step it up with trail upkeep responsibilities or tour guiding.<\/p>\n

Median pay range:<\/strong>\u00a0National Parks: $13 to $26-plus an hour. You might opt to work as a National Park Service volunteer, too, where your only pay may be free housing or a pad for your RV.<\/p>\n

Qualifications:<\/strong>\u00a0National Park Service employees may undergo a security background check. Knowledge of the park\u2019s history, geology and botany will come in handy for guide work and presentations. To find a job at a National Park, check the park\u2019s website and click on \u201cAbout Us\u201d and then \u201cWork With Us,\u201d or go to USAJobs.gov.\u00a0 Check with your state\u2019s department of parks and recreation for local openings.<\/p>\n

4. Eco-landscaper<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nitty-gritty:<\/strong>\u00a0Gardening is not for sissies. It\u2019s mostly outdoor work in all kinds of weather. From a purely physical perspective, it means bending, squatting, lifting and pulling \u2014 unless you can hire a brawny assistant to handle those chores. The goal of building \u201csustainable\u201d gardens is generally to create landscaping that\u2019s cheaper to maintain over time, all lofty environmental goals aside. To do it right, you\u2019ll need to be able to make money-smart choices based on a deep understanding of native plants. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so you\u2019ll work closely with your clients to create a space that works best for them and the environment.<\/p>\n

Median pay range:<\/strong>\u00a0$8.16 to $17.90-plus an hour. $50 to $90 an hour is possible, depending on experience. Most landscapers opt for a flat rate for an initial design, and then add hourly fees for execution and maintenance.<\/p>\n

Qualifications:<\/strong>\u00a0Understanding of horticulture, including a wide-ranging knowledge of plants and diseases. Drafting a design by hand is generally accepted, although some clients might want to see a computer design via CAD software. You might consider taking a\u00a0Master Gardener<\/a>\u00a0class to boost your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. The\u00a0Ecological Landscaping Association<\/a>\u00a0holds an annual conference with workshops and educational sessions. Its website provides links to seminars and events held around the country. Many community colleges and universities offer certificates and degrees in sustainable landscape design.\u00a0George Washington University\u2019s program<\/a>, for instance, is offered on a series of weekends, and there\u2019s an annual landscape design career fair. Check out garden centers in your locale for classes and certificate programs. In Pittsburgh, you can earn a certificate in sustainable horticulture at\u00a0Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens<\/a>. The\u00a0Association of Professional Landscape Designers<\/a>\u00a0offers certi\ufb01cation to members who have at least four years of experience and submit three projects they have completed for review.<\/p>\n

5. Certified vehicle emission inspector<\/strong><\/p>\n

The nitty-gritty:\u00a0<\/strong>A certified vehicle emission inspector ensures that cars and trucks aren\u2019t spewing out toxic levels of air pollution. Emission inspectors usually work at dedicated facilities using a variety of equipment from gauges to dynamometers to test cars and trucks for conformance to emissions standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Job openings may be found at state government vehicle inspection facilities, car dealerships, auto repair shops and automakers.<\/p>\n

Median hourly pay:<\/strong>\u00a0$13.43 to $20.03-plus per hour, according toPayscale.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Qualifications:<\/strong>\u00a0Each state has its own certification process, which might require classroom training, plus a written exam. You can check the list of approved emission inspection programs through your state\u2019s department of motor vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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