Overview
A green/clean technology job can be any work that involves activities such as conserving energy, developing and adopting alternative or renewable sources of energy, reducing pollution, protecting the environment and/or recycling materials. It would include work in reducing the use of fossil fuels, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing the efficiency of energy usage.
The types of jobs being filled are in a broad range of hiring categories including administration and sales as well as positions requiring technology and mechanical skills and engineering jobs.
Jobs in this industry can be broken down into 12 categories:
Renewable Energy Generation. Includes careers related to developing and using energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. This sector also includes traditional, non-renewable sources of energy undergoing significant green technological changes (e.g., oil, coal, gas, and nuclear).
Transportation. Includes careers related to increasing efficiency and/or reducing environmental impact of various modes of transportation including trucking, mass transit, freight rail, and so forth.
Energy Efficiency. Includes careers related to increasing energy efficiency (broadly defined), making energy demand response more effective, constructing “smart grids,” and so forth.
Green Construction. Includes careers related to constructing new green buildings, retrofitting residential and commercial buildings, and installing other green construction technology.
Energy Trading. Includes careers related to buying and selling energy as an economic commodity, as well as carbon trading projects.
Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage. Includes careers related to capturing and storing energy and/or carbon emissions, as well as technologies related to power plants using the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technique.
Research, Design, and Consulting Services. This sector encompasses “indirect jobs” to the green economy which includes activities such as energy consulting or research and other related business services.
Environment Protection. Includes careers related to environmental remediation, climate change adaptation, and ensuring or enhancing air quality.
Agriculture and Forestry. Includes careers related to using natural pesticides, efficient land management or farming, and aquaculture.
Manufacturing. Includes careers related to industrial manufacturing of green technology as well as energy efficient manufacturing processes.
Recycling and Waste Reduction. Includes careers related to solid waste and wastewater management, treatment, and reduction, as well as processing recyclable materials.
Governmental and Regulatory Administration. Includes careers by public and private organizations associated with conservation and pollution prevention, regulation enforcement, and policy analysis and advocacy.
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Green/Clean Technology Workers are Needed!
Employment growth is projected in many of the over 200 occupations in this field.
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Qualifications, Education and Training
Jobs in this industry can require as little as a high school diploma up to advanced degrees such as a Master’s or Ph.D. In some cases, you could qualify for and receive on-the-job training. Some positions also require a license that you would need to obtain from the state in which you choose to work.
There are college and other training programs that can help prepare you for a career in this field. Below is a link to U.S. Department of Labor’s, Employment and Training Administration’s CareerOneStop that has a detailed section on education and training for various positions in this field.
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Entry Level Jobs
A few of typical entry-level positions is listed below. Minor teens should pursue positions such as a helper, intern or apprentice to get work experience. Adult teens have fewer restrictions on qualifying for entry-level jobs especially if the position provides on-the-job training.
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
Assemble or modify electrical or electronic equipment, such as computers, test equipment telemetering systems, electric motors, and batteries.
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Construct, assemble, or rebuild machines, such as engines, turbines, and similar equipment used in such industries as construction, extraction, textiles, and paper manufacturing.
Helpers—Carpenters
Help carpenters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers
Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks
Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments. Prepare items for shipment. Duties include assembling, addressing, stamping, and shipping merchandise or material; receiving, unpacking, verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material; and arranging for the transportation of products.
Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license.
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Construction Laborers-Helpers
Help construction workers by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Customer Service Representatives
Interact with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and to handle and resolve complaints.
Forest and Conservation Workers
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, and tree planters.
Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Team Assemblers
Work as part of a team having responsibility for assembling an entire product or component of a product. Team assemblers can perform all tasks conducted by the team in the assembly process and rotate through all or most of them rather than being assigned to a specific task on a permanent basis. May participate in making management decisions affecting the work. Includes team leaders who work as part of the team.
Weatherization Installers and Technicians
Perform a variety of activities to weatherize homes and make them more energy efficient. Duties include repairing windows, insulating ducts, and performing heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) work. May perform energy audits and advise clients on energy conservation measures.
If you are interested in pursuing Green/Clean Technology jobs, search for these types of job titles.