Tapping Into the Green Jobs Economy

Despite a mostly dismal economy and a 4 year high in the unemployment rate, the green jobs sector is continuing to grow. Green Jobs are those that service the green economy, at all levels of pay and responsibility. It could be someone working the cash register at the local Co-Op or someone managing a solar energy company. Green-collar jobs are defined as work that provides high enough wages and benefits to support a family, the opportunity to advance and build a career, and reduces waste, pollution, and other environmental risks. The list includes machinists, technicians, service workers, equipment and installation specialists, construction workers, and managers of all kinds.

According to a Reuters report from a few months ago, the number of environmental impact mitigation specific jobs in businesses has tripled and jobs in renewable energy and corporate social responsibility have grown by 20%, all in the last year. And these are often high paying jobs, earning upwards of  $67,250 and as much as $237,300 on the high end.

Jobs in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and biofuels are experiencing particularly rapid growth. So what does this mean for people looking to get into this marketplace? Here are a few things to consider:

- How does your skill relate to the green market place? If you are an accountant, start looking into picking up clients in the green space. If you are a skilled assistant, see what might be available at a renewable energy company. Working at a green company doesn't mean that you need an environmental engineering degree. Take your traditional skills and go work for an environmental company

- If you are still in school, take a serious look at environmental engineering and other degrees that relate to areas like renewables, environmental stewardship and green business skills.

- Get interested. These are all relatively new areas. Educating yourself can go a long way in a job interview where it may be less about training and more about the ability to learn and innovate.

- Developers, realtors, builders and contractors, get familiar with green building, LEED and other certifications. This is the wave of the future and it's here now. Doing home repairs, make them green to increase the value of your house.

- Consider how you can green your existing business. From using recycled paper products to getting rid of plastic bags, consumers have shown again and again that they will pay a premium to support genuine green practices.

Looking for work? Check the Green job boards at Celsias, Treehugger and Grist. Jobs range from research to administrative to financial analysts and everything in between.