Learn How Employing Workers Skilled in Environmental Jobs will Accelerate your Success

Navigating the shift to sustainable outcomes starts with engaging the right talent.   

Last summer's wave of forest fires, heatwaves and hurricanes have many people considering the world we have inherited and how to best navigate these changes to get ahead and prepare for opportunities to provide service. The human ability to adapt and find solutions is being tested but if history has taught us anything it is that in times of change, human resilience takes hold to turn strife into opportunity.   

A passing glance at eco-friendly businesses with directories on Intengine demonstrates how the world’s workplace has embraced sustainable skills and best practices. New sustainable jobs needed to create this green workforce only underline that the future we need is being created as we move forward.   

“A survey of close to 1,200 financial executives across Europe showed that most companies are feeling the pressure from various stakeholders to act on climate change. Clients and customers are most often named as sources of significant pressure, but employees, regulators, civil society and investors are not far behind (figure 1)

 

 

Image courtesy of https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/strategy/impact-and-opportunities-of-climate-change-on-business.html

Every time a consumer makes a buying decision based on its sustainable impact or a corporation introduces a Sustainability Officer to their roster, our world comes closer to building a culture of green deliverables which, taken together, are making all the difference.      

How prevalent is the investment in change globally?  

In Europe:   

“sustainability and climate change emerged as the second-fastest growing trend representing an aggregate investment of €200 billion, and could create 2.3 million jobs”    

-  European Attractiveness pulse Survey, 2020  

 

In the USA:  

“jobs in the clean energy sector reportedly grew every year during the five years to 2020 producing 10 times more jobs in the US green economy than in the fossil fuel” and current leadership is making the largest investments in zero-carbon technologies.  

University College London study found. 2020   

 

In Canada:  

“Roughly 3.3%—or 1 in every 30 employed are environmental workers presented in every region and practically every occupation. Environmental employment is expected to rise by 8%, resulting in 50,100 new jobs needing to be filled in the next decade.”   

ECO Canada, 2021   

 

Is your business ready to engage those looking for sustainability careers and green jobs? Ask these questions:  

  

• Has the rising cost of natural resources crippled profit margins? During the pandemic, we saw an increased cost for lumber, minerals, and energy from fossil fuels. Was it supply-driven and will transitions to cleaner options widen the gap of access to suppliers?  
    

• Will government regulations in your industry change? Carbon taxations, GHG standards and due diligence reporting is becoming increasingly significant in winning government bids.  Meeting global sustainable goal targets by 2050 may change your investment allocations as you become aware of green tax exemption.  
    

• Does public perception matter to your share of the market? There are plenty of studies by consumer reports suggesting that the millennial generation now has the shift of buying power and this is the same generation that has been vocal about wanting eco-friendly products. They may be why we are also hearing more stories about the “sell one, donate one” success stories.  
    

• Have you found that hiring high-level talent is becoming even more difficult? Life balance and eco-friendly directives can tip the scales in HR conversations when the competition for hiring future-motivated talent is on the line.  https://greenbusinessbureau.com/blog/how-sustainability-benefits-companies-by-increasing-employee-attraction-and-retention/  
    

• Renewable energy prices fell to record lows in 2019. Could you take advantage of this? To access, implement, maintain this technology requires different skills. With a little in-house know-how or a strategic partnership with innovative businesses, you could jump ahead of your competition. https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2020/01/21/renewable-energy-prices-hit-record-lows-how-can-utilities-benefit-from-unstoppable-solar-and-wind/?sh=5fa9e8382c84  

  

Providing Environmental Sustainability jobs are providing important solutions  

Technology has created opportunities for materials science, to produce creative thinkers who are working problems for years.   

• Some restaurant food waste management needs have been turned into replacement solutions for energy.  
    

• Closed-loop water cooling systems have been maintaining factory floors, without a drop of water waste pollutants into surrounding fragile ecosystems. 
    

• Company Solar energy roofs are feeding back to a city’s electrical grids producing an alternative profit source.   
    

• Investing in Biodiversity Science is building stronger building materials.   

 

Eco-innovation is exciting and globally we are just at the beginning. It’s no wonder that job titles that didn’t exist previously are now in high demand.  So where should you be looking? Here are just a few titles that didn’t exist 10 years ago.   

 

What Sustainability Careers & Green Jobs Are Out There?    

 

Jobs in Sustainable Agriculture, Horticulture & Viticulture

• Soil Conservation Technician or Geophysical Data Technician takes information through surveys to design an engineering plan to prevent erosion.  
    

• Agroforestry Landscaper understands how trees or shrubs around or among crops or pastures will support optimal conditions.   
    

• Social Support for Food Security works to maintain or manage food production and access to it.  
    

• Agricultural Consultants offer advice to agricultural and farming businesses to help them with technical, financial and commercial matters to run as efficiently as possible.  
    

• Biofuel Production Operators are responsible for the quality of biofuel produced.  

  

Jobs in Sustainable Conservation  

• Sustainable operations coordinators focus on maintaining ecological sustainability and the ability to use natural resources without depleting them.   
    

• Environmental Sustainability Managers advise organizations on how to minimize or reduce their impact on the environment.  

• Environmental Analyst, also called Environmental Scientist or Specialist, is an expert in natural science and examines food, soil, water and air to provide advice on preservation.  

  

Jobs in Sustainable Apparel, Textiles & Accessories

• Bioengineers produce textiles from sustainable materials, like plant-based alternatives to leather.  
    

• Textile Chemists engineer textiles from recycling systems to break down used clothing to create new fibers using upcycling or recycling already produced materials.   
    

• Sustainability Managers watching brands’ environmental impact throughout its life cycle.  
    

• Sustainability Specialists conduct research and analysis to identify opportunities to implement programs that improve the environment, saving money and helping local communities.   

  

Jobs in Sustainable Manufacturing

• Sustainable Manufacturing and Fulfilment Officers provide societal goods that fulfil their tasks with minimum impact.  
    

• Sustainability Strategist or Corporate Responsibility Strategist delivers a list of prioritized actions to focus investment and drive performance toward a sustainable goal.  
    

• Ethical Trade Manager ensures that retailers, brands and their suppliers take responsibility for improving the working conditions of the people who make the products they sell.  

  

Jobs in Energy & Environment

• Environmental Consultants research and collect raw data, to analyze problems to identify improvements or solutions.  
    

• Environmental Retail Operations Specialists look at direct impacts to the environment as well as costs and risks to the retailer from products and operations.  
    

• Solar Engineers design and develop power plants, systems and products that operate on solar power.  
    

• Solar Operations Surveyors use data from a land survey to guide installation and placement of the solar panels for maximum efficiency.  
    

• Renewable Energy Analyst develops sustainable energy models for buildings based on measuring the efficiency of renewable energy sources.  

  

Jobs in Conservation, Ecology and Biodiversity

  

• Aquatic Biologists study organisms in lakes, streams, ponds, oceans and other bodies of water to suggest actions.  
    

• An Aquarist is a person who manages aquariums to care for aquatic animals, including fish and marine creatures.  
    

• Air Quality Forecasters predict the composition of the air pollution in the atmosphere.  
    

• Wetland Specialist assesses the health of wetlands through field research. 
    

• Ecotourism Guides are specialists with knowledge of sustainability, local environmental issues, the impact of world trade on local areas which they inform environmentally-conscious travelers to encourage awareness.  

• Environmental Protection Specialists conduct studies to evaluate environmental health. They may run tests in the field or in the lab and prepare reports.  

  

Jobs in Sustainable Development and Construction

  

• Civil Engineers design and maintain roads, bridges, dams, and similar structures.  
    

• Energy Managers track and optimize energy consumption in a building.  
    

• Energy and LEED Analysts look at how you can maintain or obtain a LEED certification, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the most widely used green building rating system.   
    

• An Energy Analyst is the individual who prepares the building Energy Analysis Report.   
    

• Energy Conservation Officers suggest energy efficiency improvements in public, private and commercial buildings.  
    

• Landscape Architects are people who design outdoor environments, especially harmonizing parks or gardens with buildings and roads.  
    

• Turf Scientists are charged with the task of maintaining and caring for large areas of grass that need to be kept full and lush year-round.  
    

• Zoning Technicians work closely with Land Use Planners to assure building plans and land use plans are in line with current building codes.  

  

Jobs in Sustainable Healthcare, Nutrition & Healing

  

• Environmental Health Specialists educate and consult clients and enforce regulations governing the sanitation of food, milk, and water.  
    

• Nuclear Engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation which has potential industrial and medical uses.  

  

Jobs in Nature and Resource Management 

 

• Hydrographic Surveyor measures and describes the physical features of the navigable portion of the Earth's surface.  
    

• A Water Resource Engineer manages the equipment, facilities and techniques that are used to preserve water resources.  
    

• Watershed Manager focuses on water supply, water quality, drainage, stormwater runoff, water rights and overall planning.   
    

• Watershed Science Technician treats wastewater to provide clean water supply to people often implementing complex machinery, plant technologies, and strong chemicals.  
    

• Geophysical Engineers use science to locate and extract different natural resources from the earth.  
    

• Geoscientist an expert in or student of earth sciences, especially geology.  
    

• Petroleum Engineers develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth's surface.   
    

• Petrologist Scientists study rocks from composition, texture, and structure; their occurrence and distribution; as clues to physicochemical conditions and geologic processes.  
    

• Environmental Managers are responsible for the practices, policies, and procedures that your facility undertakes in order to comply with local, state and national standards.  

  

Jobs in Waste Management & Recycling

  

• Zero-waste Program Manager designs products and processes to systematically avoid the waste volumes or toxicity of waste and materials, with a goal to recover all resources.  
    

• Waste Management Consultants assess and suggest waste disposal plans from inception to its final disposal. 

  

Corporate Environmental Sustainability Jobs

• Chief Sustainability Officer or Director Sustainability is the corporate executive position within a corporation that oversees implementing sustainable policy.  
    

• The sustainability Coordinator supports environmental programs, helping the organization achieve sustainability goals by advising management and staff on product and program development.   
    

• Environmental Programs Specialists investigate how environmental protocols and standards are being implemented in the workplace and advise administration of changes that need to be made. 
    

• Sustainable Development Managers find paths to economic development without depletion of natural resources.  
    

• Supply Chain Manager manages the flow of goods and services to transform raw materials into final products.  
    

• Procurement Officers are responsible for evaluating suppliers, products, and services, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that approved purchases are cost and ethically appropriate.  
    

• Environmental Public Relations Specialists decide exactly how to present the concepts and goals of their environmental department or business to the public.  

  

In conclusion:  

The world has made a call to invest in sustainable solutions and the new generations are well equipped to deliver. The Best Environmental Sustainability Jobs are ones where purpose and talent come together to shape the future we need.