Are you looking for a job? Who isn’t these days. Thankfully, President Obama has increased employment opportunities for people interested in entering the green economy, by pouring millions of dollars into green-training programs and clean-energy development, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. If you’re looking for a job, this law is your new best friend. Check out these green-collar jobs:

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.

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.

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.

LEED Accredited Professionals 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As America moves toward a clean-energy economy and more environmentally sound way of constructing our built environment, now is the time to take our place at the forefront of the green movement. So, which green-collar job is right for you?

Sena Christian is an environmental reporter. She blogs for http://www.greenprofessional.net

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Kermit the Frog was perhaps prophetic when he crooned “It’s not easy being green”. While behaving in an environmentally responsible way may not always be the quickest or least expensive way to get things done, we can probably all agree that it’s become a necessity if we hope to preserve and repair our surroundings. Temperatures are climbing, ice caps are melting, the ozone layer is depleting, deforestation is changing the landscape for the animal kingdom, and the list goes on and on. Being green has become an imperative recognized worldwide which makes it an area ripe for employment when most jobs right now are exceptionally competitive. Not only is it a field that stands good odds of helping you earn a paycheck, but it’s a job that does good…for all of us, and there’s something out there for virtually everyone.

“Green jobs” are no longer limited to park rangers. According to the American Solar Energy Society, “green-collar jobs” currently total 8.5 million U.S. jobs in renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries, but could grow to as many as 40 million by 2030.

Obtaining a four-year college degree will double your lifetime earnings, but be strategic about the college path you choose so that you will have the skills you need to secure a job once you’re done. Tailor yourself, carve a niche that will allow you to stand apart in a market crowded by applicants.

The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will further support growth in sustainability-related fields. The plan seeks to:

• Help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next ten years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
• Within 10 years save more oil than we currently import from the Middle East and Venezuela combined.
• Put 1 million Plug-In Hybrid cars – (that can get up to 150 miles per gallon) on the road by 2015.
• Ensure 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Opportunities will exist at virtually every turn. The career potential is so big that Marie Kerpan, founder of Green Careers consulting practice said, “There are a bazillion companies where you can take your skills and put it to work in a ‘green company.’” Bronwyn Llewellyn recognized so much potential in this sector that she authored “Green Jobs: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Employment.”

There will always be a place for scientists and engineers in the sustainability arena, but there will be a increasing need for marketing and advertising experts, policy analysts, accountants, and sales people who understand this arena. An unpredictable economy means that students must determine how to differentiate themselves and how to fill job needs. Green careers hold great promise to be able to do this for many years to come.

Lynell Engelmyer has over 20 years of experience in college admissions and financial aid. She has served in the admissions offices at Hartwick and Union Colleges and has served as the Director of Financial Aid at Lebanon Valley College (PA). Lynell has made several guest appearances on a local National Public Radio affiliate call-in show and speaks to groups of middle and high school students and their families. She currently has her own independent college counseling practice and volunteers with under-represented students through local community based organizations locally and nationally.

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With the dramatic boost in the rates of unemployment, a huge majority of individuals is opting for or seriously considering switching from career to career. Switching careers is something easier said than done. Going for a direction with a bright future, though, is proving to be just as tricky. The economy is taking a new shape, and therefore, by default, is the job scenario for the upcoming days. Career options that were earlier regarded rock solid in terms of job security are starting to become unstable. A degree in business will be of no use if only a small fraction of opportunities to put it to work in the future exist. In such an unstable economic scenario, where do you begin to make a wise choice in education and training that will prepare for the future? Go for “green”, as in green economy, green industry and green jobs.

What does “green” actually mean? According to a report for the US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration by the Occupational Information Network, the green economy is explained as “the economic action relevant to minimizing the use of fossil fuels, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas release, boosting the efficiency of energy usage, recycling materials, and producing and taking on renewable sources of energy.”

The US President has set a priority on structuring a national clean energy industry that would cure both our reliance on overseas resources and the necessity to generate new jobs. His plan is aimed at developing a definite green economy and industry.

On the basis of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $80 billion has been allocated for clean energy investments. Within that allotment, $600 million is chosen for job training in the green industry. But what’s exactly the job of an individual associated with the green industry? What type of green industry jobs will exist, and what training will be required?

The Occupational Information Network’s report has elected twelve different job sectors that involve what is regarded the green industry. The sectors include:

Agriculture and Forestry
Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage
Energy Efficiency
Energy Trading
Environment Protection
Governmental and Regulatory Administration
Green Construction
Manufacturing
Recycling and Waste Reduction
Renewable Energy Generation
Research, Design and Consulting Services
Transportation

Within these divisions, they have pointed out around 100 professions as either being Enhanced Skill or Increased Demand. Moreover, almost 50 have been categorized as New and Emerging Occupations.

Getting ready for a job in either of the green industry divisions varies, just like other fields, from a master’s or bachelor’s degree to certification training. As an emerging industry, not every educational institution has applied environmental-related programs so far. Recently, findings have revealed several green industry-focused online degree programs accessible. These programs take in online courses that involve such subjects like sustainability theories, administration of green enterprises and management of environmental policy.

The relative innovation of the green industry and getting ready for a job linked to it demands a bit of vigilance. Remember, it is important to make sure that the institution managing the program, whether it is by way of a physical campus or online study, is having accreditation.

Sheila Danzig is founder of Degree.com, http://www.degree.com and Career Consulting International, http://www.TheDegreePeople.com and BG Publishing International. Danzig holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York, a Masters degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and a Doctorate from Universidad San Juan de la Cruz where he is currently a professor. Danzig has co-authored a paper on the acceptance of the 3-Year Indian degree which has been published at IMMIGRATION DAILY among other publications worldwide. The books she has written include, One Year to Your College Degree, The Big Book of College Scholarship and others.

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Most of us know what green energy is by now. Basically, it’s the new environmental catch phrase that encompasses all possible alternative energy sources such as wind or solar power instead of using fossil fuels like oil or coal. With the strides being made in lowering the costs of using alternative power sources new careers are being invented and in high demand for new college graduates specializing in these fields.

A few of the new green energy careers that are currently available today are:

* Wind Technician I, II, or III – This position is performing preventative maintenance and repair on the big windmills you see on windfarms. A good job for someone who likes working outdoors and has a mechanical background.
* Renewable Energy Analyst – Basically, analyzing and procuring renewable energy systems for large companies and ensuring they are profitable and feasible to work.
* Director of Engineering, Solar Division – This job entails working with companies to develop solar power technology and make it more efficient fro public use.
* Clean Air/Clean Energy Specialist – Working with individual local communities/governments to reduce air pollution and promote clean energy solutions in the local area.
* PV Systems Designer – This job is responsible for the the design, and making of photovoltaic cells that are used in solar panels.
* Renewable Energy Consultant – A consultant who advises other companies on how to best use alternative energy sources to their best advantage.

There are many other types of careers that are being created by these new technologies and they are growing every day. The best way to get a green energy job is to have at least a 4 year college degree concentrating in some type of engineering that can be applied to green energy fields.

To learn more about green ideas and how to save money at home while being green visit http://www.greentipsforyou.com

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