When people think of Green Jobs, a few specific ideas come to mind: solar and wind power engineers, environmental conservationists, and climate scientists to name a few. Sounds like you’d need a specialized type of training or education, right? While the movement towards green living has created more growth in these specific professions, like any other industry, Green Jobs need people of all professional and educational backgrounds.
A search of the
FlexJobs database, which has over 6,500 telecommuting and flexible job listings, finds a number of jobs that deal directly with green employers and industry, and also fit our notions of a more traditional career.
People interested in switching careers to work in a green industry should consider their current experience and education, and research their options before diving into a complete profession change or going back to school for a new degree. Many jobs in the environmental and green sectors don’t necessarily require previous green experience, as long as you have a passion for the subject and a willingness to learn.
Here are five surprising green jobs that just may fit your professional experience AND your interest in a green career:
1) Director of a community garden organization. “Grassroots community organization needs a director to work with a board of directors on overall vision, manage budgets, create strategic plans, and maintain records. Some experience preferred. Part-time, work from home, flexible hours.”
2) Project Manager Consultant for a river delta redesign initiative. “Seeking driven Project Manager with engineering and/or architectural design background to develop, plan and lead efforts for the start up and implementation of restoring the Mississippi River delta system.”
3) Web Designer for a energy efficiency website. “Company that is dedicated to making energy efficiency easier for homeowners seeks Web Designer with great visual design skills. Work in a collaborative environment.”
4) Grant Writer for a green restaurant association. “Organization dedicated to environmental sustainability is looking for a Grant Writer to write proposals, evaluate grant program, and research funding sources. 3-5 years experience writing government/foundation grants.”
5) Marketing Program Manager for an alternative fuel transportation company “Contract position for an experienced Marketing Program Manager. Must have a minimum of three years in marketing and/or project management. BA/BS Degree required. Previous work with organizing a project from start to finish.”
As the variety of sample positions above prove, your skills likely translate to an area needed in a green based company allowing you to continue your professional path while helping to acheive eco-friendly results.
Brie Weiler Reynolds is a freelance writer and the Manager of Content and Community Outreach at FlexJobs, the leading site for telecommuting and flexible job listings, where she blogs and manages social media. A college career advisor by trade, Brie writes about job search and career advice, workplace trends, personal finance, and lifestyle. She finds joy in discovering and creating useful information and resources which help others to bring order and purpose to their lives, and she is passionate about work-life balance and environmental sustainability. A native of upstate New York, Brie has lived in Boston, New Jersey, and Atlanta over the past ten years, and enjoys traveling at home and abroad.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi
