A Green Jobs Guidebook

By Jennifer Coleman

Environmental Defense

You've heard the buzz: Green jobs are a growing part of our economy. But how do these statistics and trends translate into real opportunity for job-seekers? Environmental Defense Fund breaks it down in their Green Jobs Guidebook. You'll find profiles of 200 types of green jobs, including 45 entry-level positions. You'll also discover where to seek job training, apprenticeships and job placement programs in California. "We created guidebook to connect job seekers with opportunities," says author Tim O'Connor. "Whether you're looking for a job right out of school or you'd like to gain new skills, you should find the guide useful." You can download the guide at http://www.edf.org/cagreenjobs

What jobs are out there?
A lot of the jobs profiled in the Guidebook are related to preventing or adapting to climate change. These jobs are found in manufacturing, installation, fabrication and operations. There are also opportunities in green buildings, renewable energies, energy efficient auditing, power plant operations, facilities management and farming. Here are just a couple of examples from among 200 jobs:

Solar Commercial Installation Electrician
Description: Installs solar electric generating systems at commercial customer sites
Minimum Educational Requirement: HS Diploma/GED
Certification: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Certified Solar PV Installer
Experience needed: Entry to mid-level journey level status expected
Growth potential: High growth alongside the rest of the solar energy sector. Current growth rates show California will provide over ½ of national solar energy by 2011.
Employer type: Private firms, Government, Power Plants/Facilities
Related Careers: Residential installation electrician, Energy Efficient Electrician

Soil Conservation Technician
Description: Provides technical assistance to land users in planning and applying soil and water conservation practices, utilizing basic engineering and surveying knowledge of agriculture and related sciences
Salary: $16-$24/hour
Minimum Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in field of specialty or equivalent education and experience
Recommended college coursework: Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Conservation, Hydrology
Experience needed: Mid-level
Growth potential: As innovative agricultural practices are explored this sector will grow.
Employer type: Private firms
Related careers: Soil conservationist, Forest conservation technician

How do I prepare for these jobs?
Most four-year colleges offer courses to prepare for the green job market; but these aren’t your only option. The Green Jobs Guidebook lists vocational schools in California that offer specialty degree and apprenticeship programs and other community-based job training programs in California. For instance, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps ( lacorps.org/conservation.html) employs young people to provide conservation services for government agencies and private contract sponsors throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

The Guidebook also lists apprenticeships: programs that pay employees in entry-level jobs while they learn a skilled craft or trade. Apprenticeships are available in the building trades, electricians, carpenters and more.

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